Tag

Critical Thinking

All articles tagged with #critical thinking

Nocebo Unmasked: How Negative Expectations Shape Illness
science2 days ago

Nocebo Unmasked: How Negative Expectations Shape Illness

Carol Tavris reviews Helen Pilcher’s This Book May Cause Side Effects, examining how negative expectations can produce real symptoms and influence medical outcomes. She highlights compelling examples (like statin side effects mirroring placebo) but critiques the book for overgeneralizing the idea that all illness can be worsened by nocebo and for lacking precise data in places. Still, she notes useful implications and strategies—reframing supposed side effects, emphasizing the majority who don’t experience them, and pursuing personalized informed consent—to counter the nocebo effect in clinical care.

Rewriting the grading playbook for AI-enabled classrooms
education22 days ago

Rewriting the grading playbook for AI-enabled classrooms

GenAI has entered higher education, prompting educators to rethink what should be assessed. A Canadian study with 28 educators finds three boundary areas—prompting, critical thinking, and writing—where assessment rules must evolve. AI can enhance learning and accessibility but also complicates cheating and the spread of misinformation. Rather than blocking AI, campuses should update policies and train staff, adopting five design principles: explicit expectations for how GenAI is allowed to be used; process-focused assessment that values drafts and reflections over final outputs; tasks that require human judgment; developing students' evaluative judgment of AI; and preserving student voice. This signals a shift toward a post-plagiarism world where humans and AI co-create, with AI treated as a catalyst to strengthen integrity and learning.

Dartmouth Professor Notes Surprising Fear of AI Among Gen Z Students
education2 months ago

Dartmouth Professor Notes Surprising Fear of AI Among Gen Z Students

Dartmouth professor Scott Anthony observes that many Gen Z students are deeply fearful of AI, worried about losing their humanity and critical thinking skills, despite some excitement about the technology. He emphasizes the importance of hard work and perseverance, citing examples like Julia Child, and advocates for teaching students to engage deeply with their work rather than rely solely on AI tools. The article highlights the ongoing disruption in education and the need to balance technological advances with foundational skills.

OpenAI Unveils ChatGPT Study Mode to Promote Responsible Learning
technology7 months ago

OpenAI Unveils ChatGPT Study Mode to Promote Responsible Learning

OpenAI has introduced Study Mode in ChatGPT to promote critical thinking among students by asking questions and limiting direct answers, aiming to enhance learning rather than just providing solutions. The feature is available to various ChatGPT plans and is part of OpenAI's effort to address concerns about AI's impact on students' critical skills. While it encourages active learning, students can switch back to regular mode, and future parental controls may be considered.

"Overcoming Automation Bias: Strategies for Success"
technology1 year ago

"Overcoming Automation Bias: Strategies for Success"

Automation bias, the tendency to favor automated decision-making systems and ignore contradictory information, poses significant risks in critical sectors such as aviation and finance. Overreliance on automation can lead to errors and complacency, potentially resulting in catastrophic outcomes. Mitigating automation bias requires fostering critical thinking, seeking diverse perspectives, and improving human-machine collaboration. By balancing the strengths of both human judgment and automated systems, organizations can enhance decision-making processes and ensure efficiency and resilience.

"Analyzing Kirk Cousins' Lucrative Contract and Free Agency Speculation"
sports2 years ago

"Analyzing Kirk Cousins' Lucrative Contract and Free Agency Speculation"

The Real Forno Show delves into the ongoing debate over Kirk Cousins' potential $90 million, fully guaranteed two-year contract, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking when interpreting contract news and rumors. The hosts analyze the financial implications, Cousins' Achilles injury, and the complexities of re-signing him at such a high price, while urging viewers to consider multiple factors and promising to revisit the topic as more information becomes available.

"Empowering Language Shifts Risky Play Paradigm for Families"
parenting2 years ago

"Empowering Language Shifts Risky Play Paradigm for Families"

Family therapist Emily De La Torre suggests using alternative phrases instead of "be careful" when children engage in risky play. She emphasizes the importance of allowing children to take risks to develop body trust, resilience, confidence, and self-regulation. Instead of the generic "be careful," De La Torre recommends phrases that encourage critical thinking and provide specific observations or instructions. By using phrases like "What's your plan here?" and "Do you feel stable?", parents can empower their children to problem solve and develop a stronger sense of self-agency. While it may be challenging to break the habit of saying "be careful," these alternative phrases can help children feel more confident in their physical abilities.

"Republican Governors Take on Civics Education as the New Education Battleground"
education2 years ago

"Republican Governors Take on Civics Education as the New Education Battleground"

Republican governors in states like Florida, Virginia, and South Dakota are leading a controversial overhaul of civics education, emphasizing patriotism, Christianity, and anti-communism. The new standards restrict discussions on race and gender and discourage activities like mock elections and debates on current events. Critics argue that these changes may prevent students from gaining a full understanding of American government and hinder critical thinking. The standards also draw on experts affiliated with Hillsdale College, a Christian institution, and promote a particular interpretation of the founding fathers' beliefs. While the standards aim to address knowledge gaps, there are concerns about the reduction of critical thinking and the memorization-heavy approach. The civics standards reflect the ongoing divide in the nation's schools over what children should learn about their country.

"Republican Governors Take on Civics Education as the New Education Battleground"
education2 years ago

"Republican Governors Take on Civics Education as the New Education Battleground"

Republican governors in states like Florida, Virginia, and South Dakota are leading a controversial overhaul of civics education, emphasizing patriotism, Christianity, and anti-communism. The new standards restrict discussions on race and gender and remove hands-on activities like mock elections and debates on current events. Critics argue that these changes may prevent students from gaining a full understanding of American government and limit critical thinking. The standards also draw on experts affiliated with Hillsdale College, a Christian institution, and present a particular perspective on the influence of Christianity in the founding of the nation. The divide over what children should learn about their country continues to deepen, with some states adopting ethnic studies requirements and adding LGBTQ history and critiques of capitalism to their curriculum.

"Boost Critical Thinking and Memory Skills with a Foreign Language, Says UChicago Psychologist"
science-and-psychology2 years ago

"Boost Critical Thinking and Memory Skills with a Foreign Language, Says UChicago Psychologist"

University of Chicago psychology professor David Gallo suggests that thinking in a foreign language can improve critical thinking, decision-making skills, and memory. Speaking a second language exercises the brain in a way that monolinguals don't experience, leading to more rational and logical decision-making. Processing information in a secondary language can also enhance memory and reduce susceptibility to false memories and misinformation. Gallo recommends leveraging this brain hack by thinking in a different language when faced with tough decisions or trying to remember information. Learning multiple languages, especially from a young age, can have long-term cognitive benefits.

"The Cognitive Strategies of Trump, Putin, and Orbán: Insights into Your Brain"
politics2 years ago

"The Cognitive Strategies of Trump, Putin, and Orbán: Insights into Your Brain"

Research shows that dictators and autocrats, including Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Viktor Orbán, use dehumanizing metaphors in their speeches to instill and propagate hatred of others. These metaphors tap into existing circuits in the brain, bypassing higher cognitive reasoning centers and making people more susceptible to believing lies and conspiracy theories. The repetitive use of these metaphors strengthens neural pathways, making it difficult for individuals to rethink their beliefs. The rise of populist and far-right movements has further spread the use of dehumanizing metaphors worldwide. Critical thinking and brain training are crucial in combating this manipulation, but once people believe lies, they are unlikely to change their minds. Disruptive events can force a new perspective, but without them, individuals with strong convictions may never change their beliefs, benefiting autocrats and endangering society.