1. What do you think? When asked to explain the disproportionate number of male professors in the fields of math and science, Harvard President Lawrence Summers remarked “issues of intrinsic aptitude” might explain the lack of female professors in math and the sciences.When asked to explain the disproportionate number of male professors in the fields of math and science, Harvard President Lawrence Summers remarked “issues of intrinsic aptitude” might explain the lack of female professors in math and the sciences.

2. Critical Thinking

3. The ability and willingness to assess claims and make objective judgments on the basis of well-supported reasons and evidence, rather than emotion or anecdoteThe ability and willingness to assess claims and make objective judgments on the basis of well-supported reasons and evidence, rather than emotion or anecdote ExamplesExamples Engage in debate about the validity of an argument or ideaEngage in debate about the validity of an argument or idea Evaluate the implications of research findingsEvaluate the implications of research findings Develop alternative explanations for eventsDevelop alternative explanations for events

4. 8 Essential Critical- thinking guidelines 1.Ask Questions Ask “Why”Ask “Why” 2.Define the Question and your Terms Hypothesis – a statement that attempts to describe or explain a given behavior.Hypothesis – a statement that attempts to describe or explain a given behavior. A Hypothesis -- explicit predictions with terms that need operational definitionsA Hypothesis -- explicit predictions with terms that need operational definitions Ex. Anxiety = “a score on an anxiety questionnaireEx. Anxiety = “a score on an anxiety questionnaire 3.Examine the Evidence We must examine the evidence and back it up with empirical evidence.We must examine the evidence and back it up with empirical evidence. Example – Autism and “refrigerator mothers”Example – Autism and “refrigerator mothers” Leo Kanner - caused by the mother’s “emotional frigidity” - 1960’sLeo Kanner - caused by the mother’s “emotional frigidity” - 1960’s

5. 4.Analyze Assumptions and Biases Beliefs taken for grantedBeliefs taken for granted Assumptions that prevent us from considering evidence fairly or at allAssumptions that prevent us from considering evidence fairly or at all Principle of Falsifiability – a hypothesis could be disproved with contrary evidencePrinciple of Falsifiability – a hypothesis could be disproved with contrary evidence 1.We can learn as much disproving an assumption as proving one 5.Avoid Emotional Reasoning Examine why you agree or disagree with evidenceExamine why you agree or disagree with evidence 6.Don’t Oversimplify Argument by Anecdote – generalizing based on personal experience.Argument by Anecdote – generalizing based on personal experience. 7.Consider Other Interpretations Depressions link to cancerDepressions link to cancer 8.Tolerate Uncertainty “it is the refusal to relax that embrace when good science dictates doing so”“it is the refusal to relax that embrace when good science dictates doing so” Replication is a critical part of the scientific processReplication is a critical part of the scientific process