Psychology, Common Sense, and Beliefs

            There is a major difference between common sense and science in that common sense is natural and it has to do with immediate context or in other words common sense solves practice problems in daily lives. Common sense is biological and it is used for survival, social integration and in circumstantial situations (DOUGLAS, 2000).  On the other hand, science deals with world and mechanism and it requires a level of understanding.  Science arises from the desire for knowledge in understanding the universe.  First, in order to see the connection between the common sense and beliefs, it important to understand that people feel that they are using their common sense when they  do their activities effectively  in common circumstances (DOUGLAS, 2000). Thus, common sense provides beliefs to peoples that they have the moral character.  The connection with belief arises when   people understands that the common sense is a factual opinion on a specific phenomenon.  Thus, they have the beliefs that common sense are from common knowledge. Thus, the connection relates with people’s behavior in such a way that both offer fundamental assumptions (DOUGLAS, 2000).

Belief perseverance is when people cling on their initial thoughts in unjustifiable manner.  The beliefs hey hold are unwarranted beliefs as they do not have any evidence (DOUGLAS, 2000).  According to various researches, it is found that people are not interested to know the new information even if they find the preexisting beliefs are false.  Problem arises when people come across scientific information which contradicts with preexisting beliefs.  They usually reject new ideas as they cannot reject their prior beliefs. Belief perseverance interferes with critical thinking as people clings on their original understanding to avoid contradictory messages (DOUGLAS, 2000).   Instead of thinking critically, they hold their prior beliefs.  After reading a text and gaining new ideas, they   take a long time to change and the change also becomes unstable.  This means that they don’t think critically neither do they examine and rethink but rather they use their initial beliefs to reinforce their position (DOUGLAS, 2000).

To ensure critical thinking, I would employ these strategies. First, is identifying the purpose. In making decision, I have learnt that I will find the purpose of that decision (Paul & Elder 2003). The purpose will act as the starting point and using the critical thinking I will employ the basic skills. Second is considering the implication of choice. By identifying the implication, I will be able to improve the decision by using different viewpoints. Third, I have leant that in critical thinking, it is important to employ the most useful ideas which will bring positive results (Paul & Elder 2003).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

 

DOUGLAS L. NANCY (2000). ENEMIES OF CRITICAL THINKING: LESSONS FROM SOCIAL

 

PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH. University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan, USA

 

 

Paul Richard and  Elder Linda (2003). Critical Thinking: Teaching Students How To Study And Learn

 

(Part 111).  Copyright © 2003 EBSCO Publishing.