CAPITULO IV: RESULTADOS
4. Resultado de la Encuesta y Análisis
4.4. Cadena de Valor
What made Carol Tavris’s book on anger so valuable was not that her judgment was original but the impressive amount of persuasive evidence—based on scientific research—that supported it. That is not surprising—the real measure of any viewpoint is how well it fits reality and that is determined by the amount and the quality of the evidence.
Unfortunately, many people ignore the need for evidence. They typically form judgments first and seek support for them later. The support they end up with is often nothing more than wishful think- ing or foolish excuses. For example, some people say, “I smoke be- cause science hasn’t conclusively proved that it is harmful,” “I don’t use sunscreen because I’m not susceptible to skin cancer,” or “I don’t wear seatbelts because I don’t want to be trapped in case I get in an
Habits for individuality
97
Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Using the approaches you learned in this and previous chapters, evalu- ate each of the following passages. In the space provided state and briefly support your conclusion.
“I’m fascinated with the future because the future is where we’re go- ing to spend the rest of our lives.”
A television commercial for a used car sales agency says, “We’ll cosign your loan even if you’ve had a bankruptcy. That’s because we take the trouble to handpick and inspect these cars before you even see them . . . . We guarantee financing be- cause we only sell quality cars.”
A guest on a self-help radio program says, “In my counseling practice, I advise my clients to replace all their negative thoughts with positive ones. In other words, if they think ‘I’m impatient,’ they should say, ‘No, I’m patient.’ ‘I’m clumsy’ be- comes ‘I’m graceful,’ and ‘I’m a poor athlete’ becomes ‘I’m an excellent athlete.’ I tell them that whatever they believe themselves to be, they will be.”
exercise 32
accident.” All three statements conveniently ignore the considerable evidence supporting the opposite view.
We humans are a proud species. Once we form a judgment, even a careless one, we are reluctant to change it because doing so means admitting a mistake. The best way to prevent pride from blocking in- sight is to keep your judgment tentative until you have examined the evidence.
Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. When Budweiser Dry beer was introduced, a series of television com-
mercials appeared with the tag line “Why ask why? Try Bud Dry.” The structure of the ad was to raise a few questions, such as “The Mona Lisa has no eyebrows. Why?” and “Chickens have no lips. Why?” and then to recite the slogan, “Why ask why? Try Bud Dry.” Was this advertisement manipulative? If so, in what way? What harmful effect, if any, might it have had?
exercise 33
On a separate sheet of paper express a tentative opinion about each of the following issues. Then ask pertinent questions about what you have written, apply the techniques of imagination, and check the sources of your information. If your information is inadequate, do further research on the Internet or in the library. Finally, revise your view, as necessary, to make it reasonable.
Can animals think?
Should gambling be legalized?
Should teachers be allowed to spank elementary school children who misbehave in school?
Do smokers tend to discount the evidence that smoking can kill them?
Should the government assume control of the Internet, deciding who can have access and under what conditions?
Is it wrong to criticize another person’s view of a controversial issue?
Is it acceptable to subject animals to painful experiments in order to find cures for diseases?
Is it possible for atheists to be as moral as religious believers?
Habits for individuality
99
Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
What lessons can you draw from the “Good Thinking!” profiles of Viktor Frankl, Nellie Bly, and Stephanie Kwolek presented in this chapter? Explain how you can use each of those lessons in your career and/or per- sonal life.
exercise 35
In light of what you learned in this chapter, what do you believe is the greatest obstacle to individuality facing young people today? Meet with a group of two or three classmates and discuss your individual answers to this question and the reasoning that underlies those answers. During this meeting make a special effort to apply the strategy for group discussion.
Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
1.
What is the first step in becoming an individual as explained in this chapter?2.
Most of us were, and still are, vulnerable to the influences of other people.True or false? Explain your answer.
3.
What is an “attitude”?4.
The chapter uses the term “culture war.” Define that term and identify the parties to the conflict.5.
State the four “empowering attitudes” discussed in the chapter.6.
How does manipulation differ from other influences?7.
Name two forms of manipulation and explain why we should resist them.8.
Identify the steps in the strategy suggested for resisting manipulation.9.
List three habits for individuality and explain why each is important.Answers to this quiz may be found online.
Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
101
5
Evaluating
Arguments
I N T H I S C H A P T E R
What is an argument?
An argument is the presentation of a point of view in the hope of persuading others.These tips will help you find information in the library.