Blinded by Non-Science – Beware of Graphs!
The use of graphs or formulas can make us think more positively toward a product, even if the graph doesn’t offer any additional information. This is particularly troubling when it comes to medical information.
A study out of Cornell University shows that when a graph was added to a certain medication, 96.6% of the individuals thought that the medicine would be effective.
The reality, however, is the graph did not add any additional information; it was simply the appearance of the graph that made the difference.
Only 67.7% thought the medicine was effective when they received the same information, but without a graph.
That’s almost a 30% difference just by the addition of a graph or a formula (remember the graph or formula presents no additional information).
Read more about the study here.
Critical thinking is so important in today’s world. Unfortunately, there are people and companies who try to deceive. But even if they are not being deceptive (as the case above) we need to really examine why we believe in something. Especially something that is could have a big impact on us (our health, for example).
What exactly is critical thinking?
It is thinking in a clear, objective, rational way to determine belief. It is more than just collecting facts though. One has to evaluate those facts in relation to a belief.
Education must enable one to sift and weight evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real from the unreal, and the facts from the fiction. The function of education, therefore, is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically.
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
When we think critically, we don’t merely accept something as fact without asking important questions. For example:
- What is the information really telling me?
- Does this information relate to other verified facts?
- Is it possible for the information to be wrong?
- Is it possible to think about things in a different way?
- Do I trust this source? Do I know who the source is?
- Are there reasons for the information to appear one way and not another?
- Could anyone presenting the information have an ulterior motive?
The questions asked would be different depending on the circumstance, but you get the general idea.
There are three conclusions that we can reach from thinking critically:
1) We can determine that we believe affirmatively about something
2) We can determine that we do not believe affirmatively about something
3) We can determine that we do have enough information to make a decision
Too many people believe what they are told simply because they are told it. Critical thinking is essential in life, but unfortunately it is not something that is stressed in our early education. We have to learn how to do it.
The good news is, it is a skill that can be learned and developed. With a little practice, anyone can become an expert critical thinker.
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