Encouraging use of hunch, intuition, insight, and fantasy to promote creativity
Brainstorming
A procedure designed to tap members’ creativity by asking them to generate as many ideas as possible without evaluation. Explicitly suspends criticism
Synectics
A procedure designed to stimulate creative thinking by using metaphors and looking for similarities in different things. Works by attempting to make the familiar unfamiliar
Mind Mapping
A technique encouraging radiant thinking produced by free association. Seeks to avoid linear thinking
Evidence
Facts, data, opinions, and other information that back claim or conclusion
Arguments
Claims supported by evidence and reasoning
Critical Thinking
Systematic thinking using evidence, reasoning, and logic to promote soundness. Involves a concentrated effort to assess the value of ideas and conclusions by gathering relevant information, examining that information carefully, and judging the reasoning that supports the conclusions and decisions.
Open-Minded
Willing to consider new information and ideas, even if they contradict previous beliefs
Probing Question
Questions designed to help critical thinking by examining information and reasoning in more debt
Facts
Something that can be verified by observation and is not arguable
Opinions
Inference that go beyond facts and contain some degree of probability
Ambiguous
a term that has more than one possible meaning
Fallacies
mistakes in reasoning and faulty reasoning
Overgeneralization
A conclusion not supported by enough data
Either-or Thinking
Asking members to choose between only two options as if no other choice existed
Analogies
Comparisons that help clarify ideas and issues
SYMLOG
The System for the Multiple-level Observation of Groups, a theory and methodolgy that produces a diagram of relationshops among group members
Devil's Advocate
A group member who formally is expected to challenge ideas to foster critical thinking
Creative individuals are:
Willing to communicate
Unconventional
Play in the group
Creativity requires freedom from judgment and enhanced using 3 techniques:
1 Brainstorming
2 Synectics
3 Mind-Mapping
When evaluating information:
-Determine what is being said
-which statements are facts, interference, or opinions
-what terms are ambiguous
-how believable the source is
-how accurate & valuable the information is
When they check for errors in reasoning, group members should be alert to
common fallacies
Critical thinking consists of
asking the right probing questions to prevent groupthink
Groupthink
tendency of highly cohesive group not to examine critically all aspects of a decision
Groupthink
-Overestimate their power
-Evaluate information closed-minded & biased way
-Experience pressure to conform
Creative thinking in small groups is especially useful:
D) near the start of problem-solving.
Group member characteristics that promote creative thinking include:
C) willingness to play.
Group characteristics that promote creative thinking include:
B) establishing norms that facilitate freedom of expression.
In brainstorming:
C) quantity is the goal.
Which one of the following is TRUE about critical and creative thinking?
B) Groups trained in creative thinking criticize ideas less.
One characteristic of the critical thinker is:
B) open-mindedness.
An example of a probing question to evaluate evidence and reasoning is:
D) What is the source of that evidence?
Attitudes and behaviors that interfere with critical thinking in groups include:
A) evaluating information and ideas in complex ways.
B) open-minded, flexible behavior.
C) impulsiveness.
D) independence from authority figures.
E) defending ideas when challenged.
C) impulsiveness.
An example of an electronic database is:
A) LexisNexis.
B) the online Cambridge International Dictionary of English.
C) the online Encyclopedia of Graphic Symbols.
D) The New York Times.
E) Google.
A) LexisNexis.
An example of an open-ended question is:
A) "How did the university administration decide to begin its new freshman convocation program?"
B) "Is the university's new freshman convocation program a success?"
C) "Should other universities adopt a freshman convocation program similar to the one in place at our
university?"
D) "When was the first freshman convocation conducted?"
E) "Has the response to the freshman convocation program been what the university administration
expected?"
A) "How did the university administration decide to begin its new freshman convocation program?"
An example of a fact is:
A) California is a progressive state in its approach to environmental issues.
B) There are many beautiful parts of Ohio.
C) Louisiana's culture is distinct from other parts of the southern United States.
D) Winters in North Dakota are harsh. E) In square miles, Rhode Island is the smallest state in the U.S.
E) In square miles, Rhode Island is the smallest state in the U.S.
In evaluating information in the critical thinking process, group members should ask:
A) What are the incontestable terms?
B) How will this information support my position?
C) Is the speaker/author a friend of mine?
D) Is the information consistent with what I think?
E) What are the facts?
E) What are the facts?
"We either go with my proposal or the county transit system will fail." This is one type of fallacy called:
A) confusing causal relationships.
B) incomplete comparisons.
C) attacking the person instead of the argument.
D) over generalizing.
E) either-or thinking.
E) either-or thinking.
"Nearly 25% of the students at the local university do community service. Students at the university must be civic-minded." This is one type of fallacy called:
A) confusing causal relationships.
B) incomplete comparisons.
C) attacking the person instead of the argument.
D) over generalizing.
E) either-or thinking.
D) over generalizing.
"The university changed its requirements for graduation. The number of students enrolling in the university increased. The requirement changes led more individuals to attend the university." This is one type of fallacy called:
A) confusing causal relationships.
B) incomplete comparisons.
C) attacking the person instead of the argument.
D) over generalizing.
E) either-or thinking.
A) confusing causal relationships.
Creative thinking involves encouraging group members to use imagination, insight, and fantasy to develop innovative solutions to problems.
A) True
B) False
A) True
In brainwriting, group members call out an idea as soon as it pops into their brain.
A) True
B) False
B) False
Synectics is a creative thinking technique that stimulates metaphoric thinking.
A) True
B) False
A) True
One question group members should ask when evaluating Internet resources is: "Is the source objective?"
A) True
B) False
A) True
Ambiguous terms are clear in their meaning.
A) True
B) False
