Reasoning and Decision Making
Midterm Exam
Course Introduction
This course explores the cognitive processes underlying human reasoning and decision making. Students will examine how individuals evaluate information, draw conclusions, and make choices in everyday life as well as in professional settings. Key topics include heuristics and biases, judgment under uncertainty, logical reasoning, problem solving, and the influence of emotion and motivation on decision outcomes. The course integrates findings from psychology, behavioral economics, and neuroscience to provide a comprehensive understanding of why people sometimes make irrational decisions and how reasoning skills can be improved. Real-world applications, experimental studies, and theoretical models will be discussed to help students critically assess and enhance their own decision-making abilities.
Recommended Textbook
Critical Thinking A Users Manual 1st Edition by Debra Jackson
Available Study Resources on Quizplus
10 Chapters
215 Verified Questions
215 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/study-set/3637 Page 2
Chapter 1: Recognizing Arguments
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
20 Verified Questions
20 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/72300
Sample Questions
Q1) The reason that some dinosaurs had feathers is that they were an effective way of retaining body heat.
A) Argument
B) Explanation
C) Neither an argument nor an explanation
Answer: B
Q2) Roger never ate unless he was hungry, and he seldom is hungry.
A) 0
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3
Answer: C
Q3) I hope that the H1N1 flu vaccine will prevent a major outbreak of the disease this season.
A) 0
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3
Answer: B
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 3
Chapter 2: Analyzing Arguments
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
25 Verified Questions
25 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/72301
Sample Questions
Q1) "You should vote for Maxine Miller for county commissioner. Don't you want someone with integrity and experience?" Which of the following represents the implied claim in this argument?
A) You should vote for Maxine Miller for county commissioner.
B) Maxine Miller is running for county commissioner.
C) Maxine Miller has integrity and experience.
Answer: C
Q2) Why should you pursue a career in data analysis? Because demand for data analysts is expected to increase by 50% over the next few years. Besides, data analysts average salaries of $60,000 annually.
Answer: P1: Demand for data analysts is expected to increase by 50% over the next few years.
P2: Data analysts average salaries of $60,000 annually. \(\therefore\) You should pursue a career in data analysis.
Issue: Whether you should pursue a career in data analysis
Q3) Boxing is not the most dangerous sport. It's not nearly as dangerous as football.
Answer: P: Boxing is not nearly as dangerous as football. \(\therefore\)Boxing is not the most dangerous sport.
Issue: Whether boxing is the most dangerous sport
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 4
Chapter 3: Diagramming Arguments
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
25 Verified Questions
25 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/72302
Sample Questions
Q1) People who study history are wiser than those who do not. This is because studying history makes a person less likely to repeat the mistakes of the past, and not repeating past mistakes is a sign of wisdom. And since the primary aim of education is producing wisdom, all schools should require the study of history.
Answer: 1. People who study history are wiser than those who do not. This is because 2.studying history makes a person less likely to repeat the mistakes of the past, and 4. not repeating past mistakes is a sign of wisdom. And since 5. the primary aim of education is producing wisdom, 5. all schools should require the study of history.
11ed2f3c_d02d_82f9_9f96_5b7a0ffe0d69_TB4256_11
Q2) Robert said that he will accept the job transfer offer if the company will pay his moving expenses. Given that he just heard that they will pay those expenses, you know what that means, don't you?
Answer: 1. Robert said that he will accept the job transfer offer if the company will pay his moving expenses. Given that 2. he just heard that they will pay those expenses, 3. you know what that means, don't you?
4. Robert will accept the job transfer offer.
11ed2f3c_c20a_6e98_9f96_191d1e1b32cf_TB4256_11
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 5
Chapter 4: Detecting Fallacies
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
15 Verified Questions
15 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/72303
Sample Questions
Q1) The CEO of the new green energy firm that recently moved into town gave a talk at the Town Hall meeting where he argued that building green will actually save the city money in the long run. Yet, this can't be true. After all, he's just going to say what is in his company's best interest, isn't he?
Q2) The goal of helping students with homework and providing an academic support system at home is to enable them to develop independent study skills. For this to happen, parents and teachers need to work cooperatively. -Vaughn, Bos, and Schumm, Teaching Exceptional, Diverse, and At-Risk Students
Q3) Just in the last month I've heard a number of people claiming that one-use plastic bags from grocery stores are terrible for the environment. Hah! Using plastic bags is by far the easiest way to carry groceries, and the cost to the store must be insignificant.
Q4) Cell phones will probably replace the traditional phones throughout the world for they allow for access anywhere, not just at home. As a consequence, you would be wise to begin investing in cell phone manufacturers. At least, that's my advice.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
6
Chapter 5: Preparing to Evaluate Arguments
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
20 Verified Questions
20 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/72304
Sample Questions
Q1) Using a lemon when cooking is like using a lime. Given that limes can be added to bland foods to give them some zest, lemons, too, will give zest to bland foods.
A) categorical argument
B) truth-functional argument
C) analogical argument
D) inductive generalization
E) causal argument
Q2) No horoscopes are accurate predictors of behavior. Therefore, since all scientifically testable procedures are accurate predictors of behavior, no horoscopes are scientifically testable procedures.
Q3) Since all Ford Mustangs are automobiles, and not all Ford Mustangs are red, some automobiles are not red.
A) categorical argument
B) truth-functional argument
C) analogical argument
D) inductive generalization
E) causal argument
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 7
Chapter 6: Evaluating Categorical Arguments
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/72305
Sample Questions
Q1) Not everyone who's tall plays basketball. This is because soccer players are tall, and not every soccer player is a basketball player.
Q2) Mark Twain turned to writing as a career because he saw it as a way to make money without having to work very hard. Boy, was he surprised!-C. P. Snyder, The Life of Mark Twain
Q3) It is obvious that Proactiv Solution acne treatment system is the best product on the market for achieving clear, blemish-free skin. After all, Kelly Clarkson, famous singer-songwriter and winner of the 2002 American Idol, says so.
Q4) Some P are not M
Some S are M
Some S are not P
Q5) A few majors are in the army. This is because some privates are in the army, and whoever is a private is a major.
Q6) Some sweet potatoes are roots since a few sweet potatoes are tubers.
Q7) All S are M.
No P are M.
All S are P.
Q8) Not every six-year old knows how to tie his or her shoes.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 8
Chapter 7: Evaluating Truth-Functional Arguments
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
35 Verified Questions
35 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/72306
Sample Questions
Q1) P \(\sqsupset\) S J \(\sqsupset\) S
\(\therefore\) P \(\sqsupset\) J
Q2) Either Lady Gaga will win the award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance or she will win Best New Artist. And she will win Best Female Pop Vocal Performance if she wins Best New Artist. Therefore, Lady Gaga will win both awards.
Q3) It is not the case that Ese speaks Urdu and French.
A) ~ U ~ F
B) ~ (U F)
C) ~ (U \(\lor\) F)
D) ~ U F
Q4) If superstring theory is proven correct, we will be forced to accept that the reality we have known is but a delicate chiffon draped over a thick and richly textured cosmic fabric. -Brian Greene, The Fabric of the Cosmos
Q5) Can you believe what is now going on in the art world? If either the art historians are not correct or the artists are not progressive, then retro art is not just a fad. Therefore, neither the art historians or the critics are correct, since Dada is boring and retro art is just a fad.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 9
Chapter 8: Evaluating Analogical Arguments
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
15 Verified Questions
15 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/72307
Sample Questions
Q1) The Crescent City School District has seen improved overall standardized test scores for Middle School students each year for the past five years. We thus have reason to believe, given the similarities between the Crescent City School District and the Windy City School District, that scores have improved in the Windy City School District as well.
Q2) Which analogical argument is stronger?
A) Fire ants are extremely adaptive, so they are most likely difficult to eradicate with poisons. This is because termites are extremely adaptive, and they are difficult to eradicate with poisons.
B) Fire ants are extremely adaptive, so they are most likely difficult to eradicate with poisons. This is because termites, carpenter ants, and dung beetles are extremely adaptive, and all are difficult to eradicate with poisons.
Q3) Both physicians and school teachers can change people's entire lives. Given that teachers may be paid according to how well their students learn what is being taught, physicians may be paid according to how well their patients do after receiving treatment.
Q4) All birds have feathers, and all Archaeopteryx dinosaurs have feathers. Therefore, amazingly, all Archaeopteryx dinosaurs are birds. What a concept!
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
10
Chapter 9: Evaluating Inductive Generalizations
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
15 Verified Questions
15 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/72308
Sample Questions
Q1) Which inductive generalization is stronger?
A) Our university's women's basketball team has won its last three games. Thus, it seems obvious that the team will repeat as champions this year.
B) Our university's women's basketball team has won its last six games. Thus, it seems obvious that the team will repeat as champions this year.
Q2) Which inductive generalization is stronger?
A) Clearly, mining is becoming less dangerous in the United States. A team of researchers from the Association of Mine Operators surveyed over 50 mine workers union officials, and the vast majority said that there had been fewer safety violations and fewer accidents in the last five years than in the five preceding years.
B) Clearly, mining is becoming less dangerous in the United States. A team of researchers from the Association of Mine Operators surveyed over 50 owners of independent mining companies, and the vast majority said that they had fewer safety violations and fewer accidents in the last five years than in the five preceding years.
Q3) I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there.-Herb Caen
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 11
Chapter 10: Evaluating Causal Arguments
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
15 Verified Questions
15 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/72309
Sample Questions
Q1) Three of the students in the residence hall had severe headaches last evening. The cause of the headaches must have been breathing paint fumes, since the only thing they had in common was that each of their rooms had been painted during the day.
Q2) I was having trouble comprehending what I was reading for class. I decided to try something different: reading the text aloud. Amazingly, my comprehension was much better. Clearly, reading aloud improved my reading comprehension.
Q3) Teachers will not get cost-of-living raises this year unless other state employees get raises. Given that other state employees will not be getting raises of any kind due to the fact that state legislators have declared a moratorium on state wage hikes, teachers will not be getting cost-of-living raises this year.
Q4) Quentin Tarantino's new movie is not doing well at the box office. The cause must be the lack of violence because all his previous movies had loads of violence, and this one has none.
Q5) The peer educator program has been quite effective in reducing the rate of teen pregnancy in two Illinois high schools. This conclusion follows from the fact that the rate of teen pregnancy has fallen in both schools, and both have new peer educator programs.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 12