How Error Prone Is Popular Reasoning?

This project provides an estimate of the frequency with which errors are made in reasoning about individuals, societies, and social processes.

ULOs:

• Locate appropriate sources
• Identify errors in reasoning
• Communicate information professionally

Instructions:

• Select issues from a daily newspaper. Locate the letters to the editor in each.
• Read each letter to the editor, and circle all those that make assertions about individuals, societies, and social processes; that is, about the social world.
• Identify examples of any of the four errors in reasoning in those letters. (Overgeneralization, Selective or Inaccurate Observation, Illogical Reasoning, & Resistance to Change) (Search through more newspaper issues, if necessary, until you find at least two examples of errors in reasoning about the social world.)

In the Discussion area:

• Present your two “flawed” letters to the editor with an application to the four errors in reasoning.
• Propose a solution to resolve the error.
• Present a reference for both letters (e.g., Newspaper name and date)
• NOTE: This is non-repeating post, so once a letter has been presented, no other students can present it.

Due Dates:

• First post due
• Respond to two or more classmates
• Response possibilities:
  • A link that brings in new information or helps the student you’re responding to
  • A substantial question (not, “what do you think?”)
  • A politely worded critique that shows either a flaw in your classmate’s logic, misunderstanding of the data, or a failure to fully answer the questions