Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Flashcards
7 cards from real General practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Critical Thinking and Problem Solving flashcards as text
Which of the following best illustrates the 'false dilemma' (either/or) fallacy?
Answer: You're either with us or against us — there is no middle ground
A false dilemma presents only two options as if they were the only possibilities, ignoring other valid alternatives.
What distinguishes a 'symptom' from a 'root cause' of a problem?
Answer: A symptom is the observable effect, while a root cause is the underlying reason
A symptom is the visible or felt manifestation of a problem, whereas the root cause is the fundamental reason the symptom exists.
The 'sunk cost fallacy' refers to the tendency to:
Answer: Continue investing in a failing course of action because of past investments
The sunk cost fallacy occurs when people let past, unrecoverable investments drive future decisions rather than evaluating current and future costs and benefits.
When constructing a logical argument, what is the role of evidence?
Answer: To support the premises and make the conclusion more believable
Evidence supports the premises of an argument, providing factual grounding that makes it reasonable to accept the conclusion.
Which decision-making model suggests listing all options, evaluating them against set criteria, and choosing the highest-scoring alternative?
Answer: Rational decision-making model
The rational decision-making model involves systematically identifying options, setting evaluation criteria, scoring each option, and selecting the best-scoring alternative.
What does 'post hoc ergo propter hoc' mean, and why is it a logical fallacy?
Answer: It means 'after this, therefore because of this' and falsely assumes that sequence implies causation
Post hoc ergo propter hoc assumes that because event B followed event A, A must have caused B — but sequence alone does not establish causation.
Which of the following is the BEST example of applying critical thinking when reading a news article?
Answer: Checking the author's credentials and seeking corroborating sources
Critical thinking requires verifying the author's credibility and cross-referencing the information with other reliable sources before accepting or sharing claims.