Activity 4: Group Discus sion Have you ever been guilty of self-interested thinking, self-serving bias, group bias, conformism, or wishful thinking? Without embarrassing yourself too much, discuss these critical thinking lapses in groups of three or four, then share with the class whatever examples you'd like to discuss.

Let's explore some common critical thinking lapses: self-interested thinking, self-serving bias, group bias, conformism, and wishful thinking. Here are some examples to spark discussion within your groups:<br /><br />**1. Self-Interested Thinking:** This involves making decisions based on what benefits you personally, even if it's not the best or most ethical choice.<br /><br />* **Example:** Imagine a team project where one member takes credit for the majority of the work, even though everyone contributed equally. They're driven by the desire for a better grade or recognition, disregarding the efforts of their teammates.<br /><br />**2. Self-Serving Bias:** This is the tendency to attribute our successes to internal factors (like our skills or intelligence) and our failures to external factors (like bad luck or the actions of others).<br /><br />* **Example:** A student fails a test and blames the teacher for not explaining the material well, rather than acknowledging their own lack of preparation. Conversely, if they ace the test, they might attribute it entirely to their own brilliance.<br /><br />**3. Group Bias (or In-Group Bias):** This involves favoring members of our own group over those outside the group. We tend to see our group as superior and more deserving.<br /><br />* **Example:** A hiring manager subconsciously favors candidates who graduated from the same university as them, even if other candidates are more qualified. They might perceive shared alma mater as a sign of competence or trustworthiness.<br /><br />**4. Conformism:** This is the tendency to change our beliefs or behaviors to match those of the group, even if we privately disagree.<br /><br />* **Example:** A group of friends is deciding where to eat. One person might prefer Italian, but everyone else wants Mexican. To avoid conflict or social isolation, they might agree to Mexican even though they don't really want it.<br /><br />**5. Wishful Thinking:** This involves believing something is true simply because we want it to be true, regardless of evidence.<br /><br />* **Example:** Someone might continue to invest in a failing business venture because they're convinced it will eventually become successful, despite mounting evidence to the contrary. They're driven by hope rather than rational analysis.<br /><br /><br />Now, within your smaller groups, discuss times when you might have experienced or witnessed these lapses. Remember to avoid overly personal or embarrassing examples. The goal is to recognize these tendencies in ourselves and others so we can become more critical thinkers. After your group discussion, share some general examples with the class.<br />