Introduction to Scientific Literacy and Critical Thinking

Understanding theories and hypotheses is critical for building foundational skills in scientific literacy.
Scientific literacy is essential not just for this course but also for practical life applications.

Scientific Literacy: The ability to understand scientific terms and concepts, facilitating effective thinking and decision-making based on evidence.
Key aspect: Critical Thinking.

Defined as being curious and asking the right questions.
Quote related to critical thinking: "A good scientist isn't someone who knows all the right answers, but rather is someone who asks the right questions."
The mindset of scientific inquiry encourages skepticism, prompting individuals to question and analyze the information presented to them.

Importance of being skeptical of information sources:
- Ask: Where is the information coming from?
- Evaluate potential biases that could affect the evidence presented.

The digital environment bombards individuals with information, necessitating the ability to discern credible from non-credible sources.
Study on native advertising:
- Junior high and high school students struggled to differentiate between sponsored articles and genuine news articles.
- Result: Over 82% of students could not tell the difference, showcasing the importance of critical thinking skills in navigating digital information.

Understanding psychology requires familiarity with scientific principles.
Psychological critical thinking involves:
1. Utilizing the Scientific Method to explore questions and hypotheses.
2. Examining assumptions and biases in both personal beliefs and those of others.
3. Recognizing that widespread belief in an idea does not validate its truth.
4. Accepting evidence, even when it contradicts personal beliefs or common wisdom.

Encourage consideration of alternative viewpoints and be open to unexpected evidence.
Embrace a dispassionate approach, allowing the evidence to lead conclusions without emotional bias.
Scientists must tolerate ambiguity:
- Psychology involves complex questions that may not have immediate answers, necessitating a commitment to further inquiry.

Conspiracy theorists often latch onto unexplained phenomena, interpreting them as validation for their beliefs.
Effective scientific reasoning involves remaining skeptical of claims lacking sufficient evidence and acknowledging the necessity for ongoing scientific exploration.

Parsimony: Prefer the simpler explanation among competing hypotheses when both account for the same observed phenomenon.
Example of parsimony:
- Case 1: Simple explanation involves gravity as the sole reason for a dropped microphone.
- Case 2: Complicated explanation includes both gravity and imaginary gremlins.
In absence of substantial evidence for more complex explanations, one should default to the simpler causative factor.

Investigating claims of paranormal activities (ghosts, aliens, etc.) must adhere to principles of parsimony.
Suggestibility factors:
- Increase in paranormal reports correlating with popular media, indicating that people's perceptions can be influenced.
Misconceptions due to memory issues:
- Memories are flexible and malleable rather than perfect recordings, resulting in potential false memories.
Sleep Paralysis:
- A physiological condition occurring during sleep where the body is temporarily unable to move, sometimes leading to hallucinations for a fraction of people.
- Disturbing hallucinations linked to sleep paralysis reinforce the importance of understanding biological explanations rather than assigning supernatural causes.

Claims of extraordinary events necessitate substantial evidence; simple explanations often hold greater validity based on known physical principles.