Study Guide IV (Fall 2008)

The study questions below constitute a subset of the information which is required for the final exam.  Two of these questions will appear as "short answer" questions on the exam (you can use up to one full page for each answer).  Many of the questions have multiple parts -- make sure you read and answer all parts of each question.   Be advised that advanced preparation will facilitate your performance on the exam.  Feel free to work with others on your answers (including the class message board).

  1. Describe the role hueristics play in decision making. What types of biases are introduced with hueristics?

  2. Describe four ways to improve your problem solving skills.  Provide an example of how might you use these strategies in everyday life?

  3. What does it mean to be skeptical? What kinds of questions and answers are consistent with a skeptical approach? Discuss how the material in this course is relevant to a skeptical approach to parapsychology. Is a skeptical approach really all that important -- justify your answer.

  4. Provide an integrated account for the role that perception, attention, memory, and decision making play in everyday situations. That is, pick an example and then describe how these factors influence your performance.