Critical Thinking Lesson 4 Lesson 4 Objectives Actively select, organize, and interpret sensory input Distinguish between points of view and perception Recognize the role of context on perceptions Expand perceptive abilities Use comparison and contrast to think critically

Thinking Critically About Perceptions The way we make sense of the world is through thinking, but our first experiences of the world come to us through our senses: sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste. These senses are our bridges to the world, making us aware of what occurs outside us. The process of becoming aware of the world through our senses is known as perceiving. In this Lesson, you’ll explore the way the perceiving process operates and how it relates to the ability to think, read, and write effectively.

Becoming Aware of Your Own Perceptions At almost every waking moment of life, our senses are bombarded by a tremendous number of stimuli: images, noises, odors, textures, and flavors. It is tempting to think that our senses simply record what is happening in the world, as if we were human camcorders.

Becoming Aware of Your Own Perceptions We are not, however, passive receivers of information. Instead, we are active participants who are always trying to understand the sensations we are encountering.   When we actively perceive the sensations we are experiencing, we are usually engaged in three distinct activities: Selecting certain sensations to pay attention to Organizing these sensations into a design or pattern Interpreting what this design or pattern means

Noting Differences in People’s Perceptions We are not usually aware of our active participation in perceiving the world. We normally assume that what we perceive is what is actually taking place. Only when we find that our perception of an event differs from others’ perceptions of it are we forced to examine the manner in which we are selecting, organizing, and interpreting the event. Many artists believe that what a viewer sees in an image mirrors something within the viewer. The same might be said of how we select, organize, and interpret sensations.

Writing Thoughtfully About Perceptions Objective and Subjective Writing The verb describe indicates the reporting of sensory impressions: what you see, hear, feel, smell, or taste, that is, your perceptions. Descriptions can be broadly divided into two categories: objective and subjective.  

Writing Thoughtfully About Perceptions Objective Description The purpose of objective description is to present an object or situation as it is. In objective description, the goal is to use language that is as neutral as possible. Objective descriptions are often expected in scientific, medical, engineering, and law enforcement writing.   Subjective Description The purpose of subjective description is to present an object or situation in a way that shapes the audience’s opinion. In objective description, the goal is to use language that reflects an attitude or opinion about the thing being described. Subjective descriptions occur in literary texts, in argumentative pieces, and in personal writing such as letters to friends and journal entries.

Writing Thoughtfully About Perceptions Examples of Objective and Subjective Writing Objective Language Subjective Language A German shepherd A vicious, snarling dog A lake at night A shimmering mirror of moonlight Drove at 85 mph Recklessly tore down the road A six-foot five-inch man A towering man Quit my job Told them to take their job and shove it Filed for divorce Got revenge on the lowlife Won the election Stole victory from the real winner

Writing Thoughtfully About Perceptions Perceptions and Perspectives Perspectives, or points of view, are what people express when they speak and write. Perspectives reflect the vantage points from which people perceive events or issues.   A complex interaction exists between perceptions and perspectives. People’s perspectives are formed by beliefs, interests, needs, age, gender, nationality, ethnicity, health, education—the multiple factors of life. These factors of perspective influence perceptions; at the same time, perceptions continuously influence perspectives.

Writing Thoughtfully About Perceptions Perceptions and Perspectives , Continued To understand how various people can be exposed to the same stimuli or events and yet have different perceptions, it helps to imagine that each of us views the world through personal “contact lenses.” Effective critical thinkers are aware of the lenses that they—and others—are wearing. People unaware of the nature of their own lenses can often mistake their own perceptions for objective truth.

Writing Thoughtfully About Perceptions Using Comparison and Contrast to Think Critically Whenever we place two or more perspectives, or two or more other things, together and examine them for similarities and differences, we are engaging in comparison and contrast. Generally, the items examined using comparison and contrast are from the same category.

Writing Thoughtfully About Perceptions Principles for Thinking in Comparisons Compare or contrast two or more things that have something essential in common. For example, compare two accounts of the same event or two essays on professional soccer. Establish important bases or points for comparison and contrast. When comparing or contrasting two accounts of the same event, important points might include whether the writers witnessed the event firsthand, the language they use to describe the event, and which details they included or omitted.  

Writing Thoughtfully About Perceptions Principles for Thinking in Comparisons, Continued Develop or locate relevant, specific evidence for each point. With written texts, the evidence comes from the texts themselves in the form of paraphrases or quotations. Determine the significance of the comparison and contrast. The significance may be that the texts disagree on important points; therefore, you may decide that one is more persuasive than the other.

Writing Project: Comparing Perspectives on an Issue or Event In this Lesson you’ll write a paper in which you compare and contrast two or more written texts that present different perspectives on the same event or issue. (See the text for more detailed guidelines.)

Writing Project: Comparing Perspectives on an Issue or Event The Writing Situation   Purpose: Along with presenting significant insights about the texts, you will better understand how to use the thinking patterns of comparison and contrast. Audience: Keep in mind that your audience may not have read the texts you are writing about. Include enough evidence from the texts to demonstrate your points. You may also want to include a summary of each text that gives the reader enough information to understand what you are writing about. Subject: Remember that you must use texts that have something essential in common. It helps to pick texts that genuinely interest you. Writer: Your personal opinions and experiences are not the focus of this project. You must be objective and thoughtful in your analysis.

Writing Project: Comparing Perspectives on an Issue or Event The Writing Process   Generating Ideas: Make a list of the ideas in each text. Make a list of what you notice about each text. After you have made these lists, begin to look for bases or points of likeness or difference. Defining a Focus: Write a thesis statement that will clearly inform your audience that you are going to explore similarities, differences, or both.

Writing Project: Comparing Perspectives on an Issue or Event The Writing Process, Continued Organizing Ideas: The major decision you will have to make is whether to use block or point-by-point organization or some combination of the two (see next slide).   Drafting: If you are using point-by-point organization, remember to begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence indicating that this point will be discussed for both (or all) texts. Then provide the audience with as much information as is needed to help them see what you mean. Revising, Editing, and Proofreading: Use the Step-by-Step method on pages 169–171 to revise and polish your essay.

Writing Project: Comparing Perspectives on an Issue or Event Guidelines for Using Comparisons in Writing Early and accurately, introduce the things to be compared and contrasted. This means identifying what the texts are and naming the titles and authors. Develop a thesis that states that you will examine likenesses and differences. Organize the comparison or contrast in the way that will be easiest for the audience to follow. There are three ways to organize a comparison and contrast: Block: Present all the material about the first subject, and then present all the material about the second. Point-by-point: Give information about one of the things being compared and contrasted, and then give information about the other. A combination of the two: Combine these two patterns when there are some items of similarity or difference that you can present in blocks, followed by points that you want to address separately.

Writing Project: Comparing Perspectives on an Issue or Event Guidelines for Using Comparisons in Writing, Continued Bring up the same bases or points of comparison or contrast for each subject, and in the same order. Assist the audience by using words, phrases, or sentences that show relationships and shifts. State the significance of your comparison and contrast at the place in the essay where it will be most effective.