One evening, when he couldn't sleep, Mr. Bradley turned on the television and saw an infomercial for a new sleep aid. As a critical thinker, Mr. Bradley should be most cautious about this new product if:
a) the product had been subjected to an experimental study and the scrutiny of a peer-review process.
b) its makers support their claims using the testimonials and anecdotal reports of "ordinary people."
c) its makers discuss the scientific investigations that have compared it to other effective sleep aids rather than relying on testimonials of those with insomnia.
d) the results of research connect the efficacy of the sleep-aid to other widely accepted scientific findings.
ANS: B, Remember that extraordinary claims based on anecdotal evidence are one of the keys to identifying a pseudoscience.
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Marcus wears himself out trying to out-compete his older brother, who is a talented athlete. Marcus's behavior is best understood as an example of:
a. sibling rivalry b. imprinting c. synchrony d. the discrepancy hypothesis
Apart from being activated when an individual performs a motor act or observes another individual engaging in the same act, mirror neurons in humans are also connected with _____
A) hunger pangs that one experiences while on a diet B) physical growth C) problem solving D) emotions such as disgust