PHIL 347 Week 5 Journal

PHIL 347 Week 5 Journal

Student Name

Chamberlain University

PHIL-347: Critical Reasoning

Prof. Name:

Date

Week 5: Journal

Self-Regulation

Self-regulation is the ability to observe and recognize our actions or decisions, allowing us to make corrections when necessary. It involves conscious effort to direct, sustain, and shift attention. Without self-regulation, it can be difficult to focus or change our attention as required. This skill is used regularly in everyday situations, such as when studying or finding ourselves distracted while driving. Self-regulation is crucial for maintaining focus and control over our thoughts and actions, especially in challenging circumstances.

System-1 and System-2 Thinking

System-1 thinking refers to a fast, automatic, and reactive process used to make quick decisions in familiar or immediate situations. For example, when ordering your usual coffee at a café, you rely on system-1 thinking as it requires minimal effort and thought. This type of thinking relies on situational cues, memories, and heuristics to quickly form judgments. As Facione (2016) explains, “System-1 thinking relies heavily on situational cues, salient memories, and heuristic thinking to arrive quickly and confidently at judgments, particularly when situations are familiar and immediate action is required.” In contrast, system-2 thinking is a slower, more deliberate process used for decisions that require careful planning and consideration. For example, choosing a college involves system-2 thinking, where you evaluate various options, reflect on your preferences, and make a thoughtful decision. Facione (2016) emphasizes that “Critical thinking is system-2 thinking focused on resolving the problem at hand and at the same time monitoring and self-correcting one’s own process of thinking about that problem.” System-2 thinking fosters a deeper level of awareness and allows us to evaluate different factors before reaching a decision.

Heuristics, Cognitive Bias, and Dominance Structuring

Heuristics are mental shortcuts based on past experiences that help us make decisions quickly. These shortcuts are efficient but can sometimes lead to errors. For example, when choosing an outfit in a hurry, you might pick one based on past preferences, saving time. However, relying too much on heuristics can be problematic, as it may lead to poor judgment in more complex situations. For instance, if you assume someone who likes donuts and wears blue is a police officer, you might be stereotyping, a form of representative heuristics. Dominance structuring occurs when individuals rigidly hold onto a decision, which can be both positive and negative. It is helpful when you stick to your decision to complete an important task, but detrimental when it leads to an incorrect conclusion, such as misdiagnosing a patient. Facione (2016) argues that “The critical thinking skill of self-regulation and the habit of truth-seeking are our best hopes for identifying those occasions and guarding against hanging onto poor decisions.” Cognitive bias is another aspect of decision-making influenced by memory, where our recollection of past events can cloud our judgment in future situations. For instance, if someone gets sick after receiving a vaccine, they may incorrectly believe that vaccines cause illness. Mastering the facts and understanding data helps mitigate cognitive bias by promoting a more accurate understanding of situations.

Table: Key Concepts in Decision Making

References

Facione, P. A., & Gittens, C. A. (2016). Think critically. Pearson.

PHIL 347 Week 5 Journal