The Power of Beliefs: Exploring Luck and Superstition

Abstract

Issues and ethics in psych (new class) Week 1 discussion 2: survey discussion Instructions:Scientific literacy is a widely used term that relates to how an individual uses their scientific skills and knowledge to participate in society. To feel confident in the scientific knowledge we are exploring, we have to have confidence in our beliefs and in the evidence we are reviewing, and accept that the findings are consistent with scientific laws determined by researchers.To help demonstrate this, let’s look further at many beliefs that one may consider unlucky.  For example here are a few beliefs that many hold regarding what is lucky or unlucky:  Friday the 13th, walking under a ladder, having a black cat walk in front of you, cracking a mirror, and throwing salt over your shoulder are just a few. For this discussion, I want you to ask at least 2 people individually (not as a group) if they hold any of these beliefs or others and ask for their reasoning. Record their reasoning to share with the class on the discussion board. After doing so, share what YOU think about this topic on the discussion board. Your answer should involve the discussion of your theory about one of these beliefs and a potential hypothesis to explore whether it may be unlucky or promote luck. Just a quick review of topics to help you: Theory: an explanatory framework that includes a set of testable hypotheses that describe or explain a scientific phenomenon. Hypothesis: a tentative, empirically testable prediction or explanation for a phenomenon or for the relation between variables. Here is the format for your initial discussion board post:  Share the results of the information you gathered from others Post your thoughts on one or two of these items being unlucky or not based on your beliefs and the reading. You should discuss your theory about what you selected and a potential hypothesis to explore whether or not these are considered unlucky or unlucky Week 1 Quiz Questions The quiz questions are short answer covering important topics we are studying this week and have specific directions for each. Please do not copy any materials from any source directly for your answers. Your quiz question responses should address all aspects of the question thoroughly and thoughtfully; aim for 1-2 paragraphs.”  Explain what you believe is meant by “critical thinking”, and the purpose of applying critical thinking when...