The value of Critical Thinking in the field of psychology
Overfamiliarity with an idea can lead you to accept the information as true without questioning it. Just like the psychology myth that opposites attract, have you heard these other common psychology myths? Smiling makes you happier. We only use 10 percent of our brain. Memory is like a video recording. People are either left-brained or right-brained.
Have you ever wondered where these ideas originated and why so widely believed? Are they completely false or partially true? When you begin to look more closely at ideas and where the information came from, you have started the critical-thinking process.
Critical thinking is inherent in scholarly work because it forces you to separate opinions and biases from the evidence found in the research literature
In this Assignment, you will examine the value of critical thinking by exploring facts and opinions and how they are distinguished from one to the other.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
To Prepare for this Assignment:
- Review the readings in this weeks Learning Resources and specifically focus on the critical thinking resources.
- Think of and choose a common psychology myth that you have heard. If you have trouble of thinking of an example, identify one using a general Internet search.
- Remember to use the to assist you in completing this assignment.
The Assignment (1-page):
- Based on the psychology myth you chose, write a short paragraph that would be considered an opinion and why this is an opinion.
- Search the Walden Library databases for a peer-reviewed article on this same topic. Based on what you learn from the article, write a second paragraph that would be considered a fact and why it would be considered factual. Support your ideas with information cited from the article and include the reference to the article in APA format.
- Explain the differences between the two paragraphs. Explain how a reader would know which statement is opinion and which is factual. Use the Learning Resources to support your rationale.
- PSYC_6002_Week2_Assignment_Rubric
PSYC_6002_Week2_Assignment_Rubric Criteria Ratings Pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeContent 20 ptsEXCELLENT above expectationsPaper demonstrates an excellent understanding of all of the concepts and key points presented in the text/s and Learning Resources. Paper provides significant detail, including multiple relevant examples, evidence from the readings and other sources, and discerning ideas. 16 ptsGOOD met expectationsPaper demonstrates a good understanding of most of the concepts and key points presented in the text/s and Learning Resources. Paper includes moderate detail, evidence from the readings, and discerning ideas. 12 ptsFAIR below expectationsPaper demonstrates a fair understanding of the concepts and key points as presented in the text/s and Learning Resources. Paper may be lacking in detail and specificity and/or may not include sufficient pertinent examples or provide sufficient evidence from the readings. 8 ptsPOOR significantly below expectations or missingPaper demonstrates poor understanding of the concepts and key points of the text/s and Learning Resources. Paper is missing detail and specificity and/or does not include any pertinent examples or provide sufficient evidence from the readings. 20 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting 5 ptsEXCELLENT above expectationsPaper is well organized, uses scholarly tone, follows APA style, uses original writing and proper paraphrasing, contains very few or no writing and/or spelling errors, and is fully consistent with graduate-level writing style. Paper contains multiple, appropriate, and exemplary sources expected/required for the assignment. 4 ptsGOOD met expectationsPaper is mostly consistent with graduate-level writing style. Paper may have some small or infrequent organization, scholarly tone, or APA style issues, and/or may contain a few writing and spelling errors, and/or somewhat less than the expected number of or type of sources. 3 ptsFAIR below expectationsPaper is somewhat below graduate-level writing style, with multiple smaller or a few major problems. Paper may be lacking in organization, scholarly tone, APA style, and/or contain many writing and/or spelling errors, or shows moderate reliance on quoting vs. original writing and paraphrasing. Paper may contain inferior resources (number or quality). 2 ptsPOOR significantly below expectations or missingPaper is well below graduate-level writing style expectations for organization, scholarly tone, APA style, and writing, or relies excessively on quoting. Paper may contain few or no quality resources. 5 pts
