After reading the following story you are required to:

1. Read the 15 statements about the story and check each to indicate whether you consider it to be true, false or?

‘T’ means that the statement is definitely true on the basis of the information presented in the story. 

‘F’ means that it is definitely false. ‘?’ means that it may be either true or false and that you cannot be certain of which on the basis of the information presented in the story. If any part of a statement is doubtful, mark it ‘?’. Answer each statement in turn. You may refer to the story as often as needed but do not go back to change any answer later and do not re-read any statements after you have answered them.

2. After you have checked all 15 statements, work in small groups of three to five and discuss your individual answers. How much agreement is there among members of your group? Do not change any of your first individual answers. However, if as a result of your group discussion you would now give a different answer to any of the statements, note this alongside your original answer.

The story

A businessman had just turned off the lights in the store when a man appeared and demanded money. The owner opened a cash register. The contents of the cash register were scooped up and the man sped away. A member of the police force was notified promptly.

Discussion

■ How would you explain differences in individual perceptions of the same statement?

■ On what basis did members of your group give different answers and how did their perception of the statements about the story differ?

■ To what extent can you be absolutely certain about anything?

Transcribed Image Text:

Statements about the story 1 A man appeared after the owner had turned off his store lights. 2 The robber was a man. 3 The man who appeared did not demand money. 4 The man who opened the cash register was the owner. 5 The storeowner scooped up the contents of the cash register and ran away. 6 Someone opened a cash register. 7 After the man who demanded the money scooped up the contents of the cash register, he ran away. 8 While the cash register contained money, the story does not state how much. 9 The robber demanded money of the owner. 10 A businessman had just turned off the lights when a man appeared in the store. 11 It was broad daylight when the man appeared. 12 The man who appeared opened the cash register. 13 No one demanded money. TTFFFFF Т Т T TTFFFFF T T T 14 The story concerns a series of events in which only three persons are referred to: the owner of the store, a man who demanded money and a member of the police force. 15 The following events occurred: someone demanded money, a cash register was opened, T its contents were scooped up and a man dashed out of the store. FFFFFFF 2222222 LL LL LLLLLLLL LL ? ? ? ? ? F ? LL ? 222 22 F ? F F ? ? F ? F F ? ?