Purchase Solution

Common Sense, and Beliefs

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

(Articles omitted for copyright purposes)

One challenge for social scientists is to recognize thinking based in "common sense" and to move toward critical thinking.

To prepare for this Discussion:
- Review the Study Notes: Psychology as a Science. Think about the difference between common sense and science. Consider the connections between common sense and people's beliefs and how this relates to human behavior.
- Review the article by Douglas (2002). In your own words, define "belief perseverance" and explain how it interferes with critical thinking. Bring to mind an example for your own life in which your belief system has or is likely to interfere with critical thinking.
- Review the Paul & Elder article (2003). How might you apply the strategies presented in this article to help you become a better critical thinker, particularly in the presence of a personal belief system?

With these thoughts in mind:

Post by Day 3 your explanation of the difference between common sense and science, the connections between common sense and people's beliefs, and how this all relates to human behavior. Include your definition of "belief perseverance" and explain how it interferes with critical thinking. Share the strategies you would employ (or have employed) to ensure critical thinking in the presen' postings. Select a minimum of two postings on which to base your response.

Respond by Day 5 to each of the two postings you selected in one or more of the following waysways:
- Ask a probing question.
- Share an insight from having read the colleague's posting.
- Offer and support an opinion.
- Validate an idea with your own experience.
- Make a suggestion.
- Expand on the colleague's posting.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you learned and/or any insights you gained as a result of the comments made by your colleagues.

Be sure to support your work with specific citations from this week's Learning Resources and any additional sources.

Attachments
Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary

The common sense and beliefs are examined.

Solution Preview

To prepare for this Discussion:
- Review the Study Notes: Psychology as a Science. Think about the difference between common sense and science. Consider the connections between common sense and people's beliefs and how this relates to human behavior.

For example, Psychology is a science because it is defined as such and relies on the scientific method to prove theories. Psychology is based on research that either proves or disproves a hypothesis about human behavior. Valuable information has come from the field of psychology. For example, understanding human development stages, mental illnesses, and personality development. These topics cannot be explained using common since. We would all have a different opinion about it and no data or research to support it. The idea that psychology is related to or even equal to common since undermines the profession. Common since is knowledge that the average person without a disability should have. It can be defined as the everyday commonalities that most people would agree to. Common sense would be if you apply for the job you have a better chance of getting the job then if you did not apply. As we all know, not everyone has common since and therefore the reasons why commons since is lacking in some people is a good study in itself. The better understanding we have of human behavior increased our chances of changing lives in a positive way.

- Review the ...

Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Positive Psychology

A quiz related to the introductory concepts of positive psychology.

The Psychology of Sleep

This quiz is to check your understanding of the sleep-related part of psychology.

Motion Perception

This quiz will help students test their understanding of the differences between the types of motion perception, as well as the understanding of their underlying mechanisms.

Abnormal Psychology

This quiz will explore the faucets of abnormal psychology, from the question of what is abnormal, to the intricacies of DSM diagnosable disorders.

Emotional Intelligence: A Beginning

An introduction to an emerging branch of Psychology-Emotional Intelligence.

View More Free Quizzes
Related BrainMass Solutions

  • Observations regarding common sense, beliefs and science.

    468295 Common Sense and Science Common Sense and Science It is easy to make decisions based on beliefs or what one thinks is correct. It is also common to believe that something is correct because it is "common sense" or "intuitively obvious."

  • Common sense and peoples' beliefs

    365892 Common sense and peoples' beliefs What are the connections between common sense and people's beliefs, and how do these differences and connections relate to critical thinking and to being a scholar-practitioner in the mental health counseling profession

  • A Comparison of Common Sense and Science

    This solution compares common sense and science as two forms of knowledge. It describes the connection between common sense and individuals' beliefs .

  • Analysis and definitions of 'common sense'

    These beliefs and propositions are sometimes developed after having studied, or conducted, empirical research. 3. What do I think? I personally believe that common sense is in fact not common in the sense that it is shared by many.

  • Exploring Behavior

    • Common sense explanation- is based on universal generalizations and relies on what can be observed naturally. For instance, common sense beliefs are causal explanations that are linked to physical science.

  • Research from Social Psychologists

    "Common Sense, Intuition, and Theory in Personality and Social Psychology." Personality and Social Psychology Review, 2004, 8(2): 114-122 No one denies that "common sense" exists.

  • Importance of Social Psychology, Nature of Causation

    152969 Brief discussion of the whether social psychology reveals common sense knowledge, the relationship between correlation and causation, and the importance of self esteem.

  • Common Sense and Science

    563796 Common Sense and Science Can someone help with an explanation of the difference between common sense and science, the connections between common sense and people's beliefs, and how this all relates to human behavior.

  • Critical Thinking and Ordinary Thinking

    Strong sense critical thinkers recognize the limits of their knowledge, they are willing to face and assess ideas, beliefs, and viewpoints.

View More Related Solutions