Critical Thinking and Cognitive Dissonance with Gender
A good argument will always have two parts. These parts include premise(s) and a conclusion. “A premise by definition is a statement in an argument that provides reason or support for the conclusion. There can be one or many premises in a single argument. A conclusion is a statement… that indicates of what the arguer is trying to convince the reader/listener” ("Arguments, Premises and Conclusions").
According to many sources, critical thinking is governed by clear intellectual standards including clarity, precision, accuracy, relevance, consistency, logical correctness, completeness, and fairness. Critical thinking involves figuring out the difference between a weak and a strong argument.
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It also covers the basis of “analyses arguments and truth claims, discovering and overcoming prejudices and biases, developing your own reasons and arguments in favor of what you believe, … and making rational choices about what to do based on your beliefs” (Austin, 2012). Starting with clarity, an individual must be clear on how to communicate their thoughts and beliefs, and the reasons for those beliefs. Defining terms and being very clear can help in the pursuit for clarity of communication and the clarity of understanding what one believes and why one believes it. Assessing the precision of an argument basically lets an individual ask his or her self what the problem or issue, what are all the possible answers, and figuring out the strengths and weaknesses of each answer that was created. Accuracy is essential for critical thinking. “In order to get at or closer to the truth, critical thinkers seek accurate and acceptable information” (Austin, 2012). Facts are essential, but without them one cannot get the correct information before moving on to analyzing. The information and ideas being discussed must be relevant to the discussion. Many people of higher power including pundits and political figures are great at distracting people away from what the real problem is. The key characteristic of critical thinking is consistency. The beliefs being expressed should be consistent throughout the argument. Contradiction should not be a factor. “If we find that we do hold contradictory beliefs, then one or both of those beliefs are false” (Austin, 2012). Practical inconsistency is also something that should be avoided. It involves an individual saying they believe one thing, and end up doing something opposite of what one said they believed in. The last three standards of critical thinking, logical correctness, completeness, and fairness makes sure that one is engaging in correct reasoning from what we believe in and giving examples to the conclusions that follow from those beliefs; engaging in deep and thorough thinking and assessment, while avoiding narrow and artificial thoughts and criticism; seeking to be open-minded, unbiased, and free from prejudices that distort our thinking (Austin, 2012). Critical thinking helps us avoid making unwise decisions, and allows us to lead self-directed, “examined” lives. Albert Einstein once stated that “The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the level of thinking we were at when we created them” (Coles, 2003). There are many barriers that can lead someone in the wrong direction for critical thinking because someone might have a lack of relevant background information, bias or prejudice, egocentrism or self-centered thinking, and sociocentrism or group-centered thinking (Coles, 2003). Cognitive Dissonance can also play as a barrier for critical thinking. Cognitive dissonance by definition is the state of having inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes, especially as relating to behavioral decisions and attitude change. Principle of cognitive consistency, an important factor, “… starts from the idea that we seek consistency in our beliefs and attitudes in any situation where two cognitions are inconsistent” (McLeod, 2008). According to Leon Festinger, cognitive dissonance theory states that an authoritative motive to preserve cognitive consistency can give rise to illogical and sometimes maladaptive performances. This theory was first investigated by Festinger, who observed and studied a cult that believed that the earth was going to be destroyed by a flood. The people in the cult had given up their homes and jobs to be fully invested in the cult, but the flood did not happen. Instead of saying that they were wrong, the cult “believed” that the flood did not happen because of their faithfulness to the cult. In order to reduce dissonance, one would have to change one or more of the attitudes, behaviors, beliefs, etc., acquire new information that outweighs the dissonant belief, and reduce the importance of the cognitions. These modes of dissonance reduction will not actually work if the individual is not willing to change their opinion or stance about the topic at hand. One example of cognitive dissonance is forced compliance. Forced compliance is when an individual performs an action that is inconsistent with his or her beliefs. For example, an experiment by Festinger and Carlsmith asked participants to perform a couple of dull task, making the participants have a negative attitude toward the experiment. After the task was over, the participants were paid either $1 or $20 to tell the incoming participants that the task was very interesting. The experiment showed that almost all of the participants told a lie to the incoming participants. In conclusion, “being paid only $1 is not sufficient incentive for lying and so those who were paid $1 experienced dissonance. They could only overcome that dissonance by coming to believe that the tasks really were interesting and enjoyable. Being paid $20 provides a reason for turning pegs and there is therefore no dissonance” (McLeod, 2008). One example of cognitive dissonance is with gender in these modern times.
We, as a people only considered two gender roles as of till recently that included males and females. Now there are 63 different ways for an individual to classify his or herself. We all have been accustomed to the staid notion that organisms are either male or female. Now our culture is starting to consider that the permanent, dual nature of gender is incorrect. Bruce Jenner who was once a male gold medalist in the 1970s Olympics and on the cover of a Wheaties box, is now a woman that goes by the name of Caitlyn Jenner who is on the cover of a female friendly magazine called Vanity Fair. Laverne Cox is also a transgender actor, who was chosen for an Emmy for outstanding actress. “America has seen openly transgendered individuals serve as a mayor, state legislator, judge, police officer, a model for a global cosmetics brand, and a high school homecoming queen” (Sapolsky, …show more content…
2015). Many individuals have psychosexual self-images that include both genders, a third gender, no gender, and whose instinctive observation of the social world does not include indirectly seeing people as gendered. Plants for example have both female and male organs. Female animals or parthenogenic species can reproduce without males. Then there are hermaphrodites, like monoecious plants, have both sexes’ organs simultaneously. Then there are hyenas. A hyena is an interesting animal classified as a gender-bending pseudo-hermaphrodites. Due to the fact that females are big and muscular just like make hyenas make it almost impossible to determine if it is a male or female. The female hyena has a fake scrotal sac and an enlarged clitoris that can become as erect as the male’s penis (Sapolsky, 2015). In conclusion, with critical thinking, individuals can expand their knowledge of gender and realize that it is a lot more to gender than being male or female.
Expanding their knowledge of the argument can help reduce cognitive dissonance. As stated earlier a once male Olympic gold medalist, can also be on the cover of Vanity Fair. Individuals can either realize that today’s culture is changing and accept it or an individual can reject this thought and believe that there is only males and females. That decision is up to the individual and their ability to think critically and reduce their cognitive dissonance.
References
Arguments, Premises and Conclusions. (n.d.). Retrieved May 03, 2017, from http://www.uky.edu/~rosdatte/phi120/lesson1a.htm
Austin, M. W. (2012, June 11). Standards of Critical Thinking. Retrieved May 03, 2017, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ethics-everyone/201206/standards-critical-thinking
Coles, J. (2003, January 27). Critical Thinking: What is it? How do we do it? How does language affect critical thinking and writing? Retrieved May 03, 2017, from http://courses.k-state.edu/spring2003/BIOL/BIOL310/Critical_Thinking_1.html
McLeod, S. (2008, January 01). Cognitive Dissonance. Retrieved May 03, 2017, from https://www.simplypsychology.org/cognitive-dissonance.html
Sapolsky, R. (2015, September 03). Caitlyn Jenner and Our Cognitive Dissonance - Issue 28: 2050. Retrieved May 04, 2017, from
http://nautil.us/issue/28/2050/caitlyn-jenner-and-our-cognitive-dissonance
Gender is not about the biological differences between men and women but rather the behavioral, cultural and psychological traits typically associated with one sex. Gender is socially constructed meaning it 's culturally specific, it 's learned and shared through gender socialization. What it means to be a woman or man is going to differ based on the culture, geographical location, and time. What it meant to be a woman in the US in the 19th century is different than what it means to be a woman in the 21st century. As cultures evolve over time so are the ideals of what it means to be man or woman.
Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing written by; Gary Colombo, Robert Cullen, and Bonnie Lisle, Eighth Edition, published April, 2007 by Bedford/St. Martin’s, is a textbook about writing and critical thinking. In the first chapter of Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing, “Thinking Critically, Challenging Cultural Myths”, the Authors begin by setting a relatable scene of what it’s like for a college student. How a new found independence can be overwhelming, especially with regards to critical thinking, showing that what we have learned, needs to be re-evaluated and that an open mind in essential. "What Is Critical Thinking" In this section of the chapter the editors explain what it means to be a critical thinker. They explain that critical thinking is not just studying dates and facts, but rather taking those facts and examining them. The editors then proceed by explaining how having an open mind, and taking others' perspectives into account when formulating our own opinions on what the author is trying to say to us is important. A critical thinker takes all aspects into account and reflects on personal experience as well. The editors also point out that different cultural experiences bring different opinions. They suggest that we need to become active learners, continuously questioning the meaning behind everything, testing not only the theories of others but also our own experiences and analyzing the text rather than going for the obvious. They show that thinking outside the box is the epitome of critical thinking. Basically, we need to step outside our comfort zones and what we have always been taught. The editors also suggest that we need to re-evaluate our per...
Critical thinking provides an opportunity to explore the positive and negative sides of an argument for and against an idea, theory or notion. Reasoning and perception is attuned to personal impression and provides outcome to belief and opinion.
The author Vincent Ruggiero defines critical thinking in his book Beyond Feelings: A Guide to Critical Thinking, as a “search for answers, a quest.” It is the idea that one does not accept claims, ideas, and arguments blindly, but questions and researches these things before making a decision on them. From what I learned in class, critical thinking is the concept of accepting that there are other people and cultures in this world that may have different opinions. It is being able to react rationally to these different opinions.
Grant, Jaime M., Ph.D., Lisa A. Mottet, J.D., Justin Tanis, D.Min., Jack Harrison, Jody L. Herman, Ph.D., and Mara Keisling. Injustice at Every Turn: A Report of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey. Rep. National Center for Transgender Equality and National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 2011. Web. 22 May 2014.
Throughout today’s society, almost every aspect of someone’s day is based whether or not he or she fits into the “norm” that has been created. Specifically, masculine and feminine norms have a great impact that force people to question “am I a true man or woman?” After doing substantial research on the basis of masculine or feminine norms, it is clear that society focuses on the males being the dominant figures. If males are not fulfilling the masculine role, and females aren’t playing their role, then their gender identity becomes foggy, according to their personal judgment, as well as society’s.
Paul R. (1995). Critical thinking: How to prepare students for a rapidly changing world. Santa Rosa, CA: Foundation for Critical Thinking.
What is not easily recognized is the fact that the very fabric of life is dependent on the ability to think properly and make good decisions. Improper thinking is costly in the quality of life and monetarily. The result of a critical thinker that has worked to cultivate proper thinking skills includes: the ability to ask vital questions and to identify problems with clarity. A critical thinker also collects relevant information while effectively interpreting it, thinks with an open mind, uses alternative systems of thought, and understands how to communicate while working to formulate a strong solution. In summary, critical thinking is self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. Above all else, the standards of excellence are rigorous, and it entails the prospect of overcoming the challenge of sociocentrism and
Critical thinking is the process in which one challenges their emotive, self-centered way of thinking. It causes one to test their own assumptions and question their reasoning. Critical thinking is the process in which one mentally explores deeper than the superficial matters at hand into the deeper layers in order to find out what the real issues are. Successful critical thinking is a process that allows one to creatively problem solve, seek innovative solutions, and essentially "think outside of the box." It also allows one to become more open minded to various situations. Logic and perception both play a role in critical thinking. However, when it comes to weighing their beneficial impact on the critical thinking process, logic and perception are by no means equal. While logic is firmly rooted in reason, perceptions are just as firmly rooted in one's senses, and can easily be corrupted. Therefore, perception is certainly not reality. This is a lesson that I had the opportunity to have reinforced in a recent in-house promotion at work.
The psychology of interpersonal relationships. New York: Wiley & Co. McLeod, S. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/cognitive-dissonance.html Myers, D. G. (2011). Exploring the psychology of the human mind.
Rudd, R. (2007). Defining critical thinking. Techniques: Connecting Education & Careers, 82(7) 46-49. Retrieved December 9, 2007, from EBSCOhost database.
What is critical thinking? Encarta Pocket Dictionary defines critical thinking as a type of critical analysis. Encarta Pocket Dictionary defines a decision as firmness in choosing something. The authors of Whatever It Takes suggest that decision-making material and literature tend to emphasize the product of decision-making but does not emphasize the actual process of decision-making. Critical thinking is the mechanical process by which problems are perceived, alternative solutions weighed, and rational decisions are made and decision-making is streams of choices (McCall, Kaplan, xv).
2. Richard, Paul “Critical Thinking: Basic Theory and Instructions Structures,” Foundations for Critical Thinking. 1977. P
Critical thinking means accurate thinking in the search of appropriate and dependable knowledge about the world. Another way to describe it is sensible, insightful, responsible, and skillful thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do. Critical thinking is not being able to process information well enough to know to stop for red lights or whether you established the right change at the supermarket.
The differences between women and men are not solely biological. Our society’s culture has established a set of unwritten cultural laws of how each gender should act, or in other words society has ascribed a stereotype. Men’s gender identity has been one of masculinity, and masculinity is defined as referring to a man or things described as manly. What does manly mean though? Is a male manly if he is “Mr. Fix-it”, or the jock, or if he sits on the couch on Sunday watching football? This latter statement is a stereotype of men, that has been around for decades, and is current as well, but starting with the 1960’s a man’s role started to change, despite the stereotype not changing to accommodate it. For the past 40 years one can see how men have taken on roles stereotypically ascribed to women, such roles including being the “stay-at-home mom”, which we can find an excellent example of in the 1980’s film “Mr.