Question

Students who are "dualistic" thinkers may not be able to support their beliefs convincingly because (A) most of their beliefs cannot be supported by arguments. (B) they have accepted their "truths" simply because authorities have said these things are "true." (C) they half-believe and half-disbelieve just about everything. (D) their teachers almost always think that "dualistic" thinkers are wrong. (E) they are enslaved by their authorities.

Short answer

Option (B) they have accepted their "truths" simply because authorities have said these things are "true."

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Concept of Dualistic Thinkers

A dualistic thinker perceives the world in binary terms, such as good vs. bad or right vs. wrong. They tend to accept beliefs as absolute truths without questioning or critically evaluating them.

Analyze Option (A)

Consider if dualistic thinkers cannot support their beliefs because most beliefs inherently lack support. This is unlikely, as the issue is not about inherent lack but about the nature of how beliefs are accepted.

Analyze Option (B)

Evaluate if dualistic thinkers accept truths because authorities declare them so. This fits their nature, as they often rely on external authorities to determine truth, without further justification.

Analyze Option (C)

Explore if dualistic thinkers half-believe and half-disbelieve things. This does not align with their characteristic way of seeing things clearly in black and white.

Analyze Option (D)

Assess if teachers believe dualistic thinkers to be wrong. This is about perception by others, not the conviction of dualistic thinkers themselves, thus irrelevant here.

Analyze Option (E)

Consider if dualistic thinkers are enslaved by their authorities. While suggests dependency, it doesn’t explain inability to support beliefs convincingly.

Select the Correct Answer

Based on the analysis, option (B) is the most fitting because dualistic thinkers accept truths based on authority, making it difficult for them to support these beliefs convincingly.

Key concepts

Dualistic Thinking

Dualistic thinking is a way of understanding the world where things are seen in black and white. This means that dualistic thinkers view situations, beliefs, and people in terms that are either all good or all bad. There is little room for gray areas or nuance. They often accept information as an absolute truth without questioning it. This can lead them to hold beliefs that they cannot defend when challenged. For instance, if an authority figure states something is true, a dualistic thinker is likely to accept it at face value, without evaluating the reasoning behind it. As a result, their ability to engage in critical thinking, where they analyze and evaluate evidence, is limited. A common example could be with moral viewpoints; dualistic thinkers may regard actions as strictly right or wrong based on rules, without considering context or perspective.

Belief Evaluation

Belief evaluation is the process of critically assessing the validity of a belief. For dualistic thinkers, this can be a difficult task. Evaluating a belief requires examining reasons, evidence, and potential biases. However, dualistic thinkers often prefer to rely on authority rather than personal investigation. This reliance on authority figures means they tend to skip the verification process where they would traditionally ask questions like: "Why is this true?" or "What evidence supports this claim?" They may struggle with formulating strong arguments to back their beliefs, as they often accept them without examining underlying assumptions. Hence, without this evaluation, their ability to convincingly support their beliefs in discussions or debates becomes constrained.

Argument Support

Supporting an argument effectively involves presenting evidence and reasoning that backs up a claim. For dualistic thinkers, this is particularly challenging. Their inclination to accept beliefs as absolutes from authority can hamper their ability to present their arguments adequately. Due to the lack of critical evaluation of their beliefs, they often cannot articulate coherent arguments when asked to justify them. Good argument support requires:

• understanding various sides of an issue,
• analyzing the evidence,
• and considering alternative viewpoints.

Dualistic thinkers may find these steps harder because of their tendency to stick to a black-and-white perspective. To improve, they could benefit from practicing critical thinking exercises that encourage the exploration of complex ideas.

Educational Psychology

Educational psychology deals with understanding how people learn and process information. The concepts of dualistic thinking and belief evaluation fall squarely within this realm. By examining the cognitive development of students, educational psychologists aim to discover why some individuals may struggle with critical thinking or supporting their arguments. They explore minds like dualistic thinkers who may not have been taught or encouraged to expand beyond simple black-and-white thinking. Educational interventions can help these students develop more nuanced thinking skills by:

• exposing them to diverse perspectives,
• engaging them in critical inquiry,
• and encouraging continuous questioning and exploration.

Through such tailored educational strategies, psychologists aim to foster better critical thinking and argument support skills in students who naturally lean towards dualistic thought patterns.