Question 1

Despite our rational nature, our ability to reason well is often affected by psychological biases that interfere with the formation of good arguments. Identify three such biases and explain how they negatively impact our ability to reason.

Question 2

The advent of social media has changed the norms and modes of public discourse. In at least 200 words, explain the importance of (a) evaluating and fact-checking individual claims, (b) the benefits and negatives of instantaneous mass communication, and (c) the need for civility in online interactions.

Question 3

Identify the fallacy:"Bob is trustworthy because he says so, and we can trust what Bob says because he's trustworthy."

a.Fallacy of composition

b.Begging the question

c.Genetic falacy

d.Appeal to authority

e.Ad hominem

Question 4

Identify the fallacy:"All banks have money. All rivers have banks. Therefore, all rivers have money."

a.Equivocation

b.Ad hominem

c.Slippery slope

d.Appeal to ignorance

e.False cause

Question 5

Identify the fallacy:"You shouldn't trust Bob. His best friend is a racist."

a.Appeal to popularity

b.Appeal to ignorance

c.Appeal to tradition

d.Two wrongs make a right

e.Guilt by association

Question 6

Identify the fallacy:"Republicans are extremists who believe that government is fundamentally evil."

a.False dilemma

b.Fallacy of composition

c.Straw man

d.Ad hominem

e.Begging the question

Question 7

Identify the fallacy:"You should buy Pepsi because Taylor Swift said so."

a.Appeal to authority

b.False dilemma

c.Equivocation

d.Appeal to pity

e.Fallacy of division

Question 8

Identify two techniques that are often used to slant the news.

Question 9

Compare and contrast "old media" with "new media."

Question 10

Define rationalization and explain how it is it sometimes applied.

Question 11

What is a "defense mechanism," in the context of poor reasoning?

Question 12

What is good news-reporting supposed to look like?