Explains statistical thinking with test from @sensei.nick

The creator explains how to test for statistical thinking by making a generalized, data-backed statement about a group and observing the response. He contrasts the correct understanding of averages and distributions with the common reasoning failure of using personal anecdotes as a rebuttal, defining this as 'concrete thinking' and a cognitive error known as 'ignoring base rates.' The creator concludes that this inability to separate population-level trends from individual exceptions indicates the limit of a productive conversation.

Creator: @sensei.nick on Instagram

Transcript

Here's a fast way to test someone's ability to think abstractly. Make a generalized statement about a group, something factual and based on stats, such as Asian men are shorter on average. Now what's the response? If they say anything like no all Asian men are short or I know a tall Asian guy, you're not dealing with disagreement, you're dealing with reasoning failure. Okay? The statement was about averages and not individuals, distributions, not anecdotes. Okay? And psychology calls this concre

Topics: Psychology, Communication, Education

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