Errors in Reasoning

1
Errors in Reasoning

• Goal Identify common types of errors and avoid
  them.
• Many of these come up in the WASI
• A major reason for taking it is so that you can
  self-identify errors that you tend to make
• Many points are lost on tests/homeworks in school
  come from errors in reasoning, not from lack of
  knowledge or skills.
• You can train yourself to reduce making this sort
  of mistake.

2
Types of Errors

• Lack of knowledge or skill
• This isnt our focus, and its often not the issue
• Failure to observe and use all relevant facts of
  a problem
• This might come from poor reading comprehension
  (which in turn often comes from rushing)
• Failure to approach the problem in a systematic
  manner, skip steps or jump to conclusion
• Failure to spell out relationships fully
• Being sloppy or inaccurate making simple
  mistake

3
Error Types Checklist

• Inaccuracy in Reading
• Inaccuracy in Thinking
• Weakness in Problem Analysis Inactiveness
• Lack of Perseverance

4
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

• Four dichotomies that define sixteen categories
• Each is a continuum, not a binary choice
• This is not what you are
• It is right now, what you prefer (and strength
  of preference)
• For example, most introverts can operate in
  extrovert mode when needed.
• Results can vary from test to test or day to day
  by several points.
• Results are generally consistent, between
  adjacent types
• Wikipedia has good articles for some types