Better Thinking

Click on Take the I.Q test in the panel on the left. Take the test, or as much of it as you like.

Also check out the links: “What is I.Q.” and “History of I.Q.”

Report your findings in the Discussion Board, and answer the questions: Do you think I.Q. tests are valid? That is do I.Q. tests correlate with real world success of some kind? What do you think would be a better alternative of predicting success?

(2)

Better Thinking Web Search  Assignment – (1 page)

Find a web site that promotes “Better Thinking”.

Write a short critical review of the suggestions at the web site.

Do they jive with the text’s suggestions?  How about you OWN suggestions as to “HOW TO THINK BETTER”, just what does that mean?

Hint: Some people are said to have a ” DRINKING THINKING PROBLEM”.  Can you give an example of someone who you think could benefit from “thinking better”.

(3) 2 Pages

Type “Language Development” into Google.  You are looking for theories of language development, e.g., Chomsky’s Nativist Theory.

Choose two theories of Language Development and write a brief compare and contrast paper.

(4) 1 Page

The WAIS (an IQ test) is the most popular Psychological test in America.  What do you think of using I.Q. tests?

What are the criteria for judging Psychological tests?  Do I. Q. tests meet the criteria?

Should IQ tests be used to screen people?  What about to qualify for benefits or disability? In what capacity should they be used.

Finally, what alternatives to testing do you offer?

(5) 1 page

– Is our “Permastore Memory” perfect?
“The most horrifying idea is that what we believe with all our hearts is not necessarily the truth.” (Loftus, 1996, AU:Neimark)

Go to either of the the web sites and read the interview of Dr. Elizabeth Loftus, or listen to the lecture (requires a Real Time Player):

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/dna/interviews/loftus.html

http://www.exploratorium.edu/memory/loftusandschooler.html

Read the article, and especially the portion which lends itself to “debate”. The debate that most of us would pose is that in spite of Loftus’s research findings, our memory is valid and a “true” representation of reality as it happened in the past. Generally, that is. Do you think that the phenomena surrounding childhood sexual trauma and it’s legal dispisition are unique in altering memories? Are there examples of memory In which direction could these memories be effected? (Repression versus False Memories). Give an example of both valid and false memories from your own every day experiences.

DISCUSSION.