Open-minded Thinking Research Articles

Teaching actively open-minded thinking online: encouraging effects of a serious computer game and an online module

ABSTRACT Actively open-minded thinking (AOT) represents a standard for good judgment and decision making and people differ in their proneness to this way of thinking. Studies show that people inclined to AOT are less erroneous and biased on decision-making tasks, hold less unwarranted beliefs and are more accurate in a range of judgments. However, there are very few studies that tested the possibility of teaching AOT. In this study, we report results of an experiment in which we tested the effectiveness of our two newly developed online interventions for teaching AOT, a serious educational computer game and an online module. Results showed weak but encouraging effects of these interventions. Compared to the control group, the interventions managed to somewhat reduce confidence, overconfidence and myside bias, and in the short run increase participants’ tendency to be actively open-minded in various everyday situations.

공공미술로서의 데이터 아트의 활용 가능성 연구 : 추상성과 복잡성을 중심으로

This study explores data art as a form of public art, focusing on visual abstraction and complexity. In recent years, new media works such as installation art and media art have transformed public spaces and architecture, turning urban areas into places that offer new experiences and inspiration beyond mere transit or commercial uses. However, the utilization of data art as public art remains limited. Data art visually represents vast amounts of data, providing unique insights and conveying new meanings through various forms. For instance, data art that integrates real-time climate data can offer both important messages and aesthetic experiences. The analysis of the technical and artistic aspects of data art installed in public spaces reveal the following: Data art’s abstraction and complexity provide citizens with immersive and novel experiences, enabling mental rejuvenation. Data art, expressed in geometric abstraction or abstract expressionist styles, captivates viewers and offers a balanced complexity designed by the artist, delivering surprise and newness. Utilizing diverse raw data and visualized in real-time, data art is created as installation pieces using digital screens or LEDs. These artworks are installed in various public places such as building lobbies, bus stops, and parks, allowing more people to experience art in their daily lives. Therefore, as public art, data art, with its abstraction and complexity, can engage citizens emotionally and promote open-minded thinking.

Exploring the Mechanisms that Allow Incompatible Beliefs to Coexist in the Cognitive System.

Despite assumptions that people strive for consistency between their beliefs, endorsement of mutually incompatible ones is not rare - a tendency we have previously labelled doublethink, by borrowing from Orwell. In an attempt to understand the nature of doublethink and the underlying mechanism that enables incompatible beliefs to coexist, we conducted two preregistered studies (total N = 691). To do so, in Study 1, we first explored how doublethink relates to (1) thinking styles (rational/intuitive, actively open-minded thinking, and need for cognitive closure), (2) a set of irrational beliefs (magical health, conspiratorial, superstitious, and paranormal beliefs) and (3) its predictiveness for questionable health practices (non-adherence to medical recommendations and use of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine). We then additionally expanded the set of health behaviors in Study 2, and related doublethink to trust in two epistemic authorities - science and the wisdom of the common man. Finally, in both studies, we explored whether those prone to inconsistent beliefs are also more likely to simultaneously rely on conventional and alternative medicine, despite their apparent incompatibility. While doublethink was positively related to need for cognitive closure and different irrational beliefs that easily incorporate contradictions, as well as negatively to actively open-minded thinking, we did not find it to be predictive of the use of non-evidence-based medicine nor of its simultaneous use with official medicine. It seems that this novel construct can be best understood as a feature of the cognitive system that allows incompatible claims to enter it. However, once beliefs are within the system, they are compartmentalized, without any cross-referencing between them. This is further reflected in non-evidence-based beliefs persisting within the belief system, irrespective of their content.

The Role of Actively Open-Minded Thinking and Control Orientation in VC Investment Outcomes

The Role of Actively Open-Minded Thinking and Control Orientation in VC Investment Outcomes

Fostering Creative Problem-Solving Abilities in Chinese Language and Literature Majors

This paper discusses the importance and necessity of fostering creative problem-solving abilities among Chinese language and literature majors. Traditional teaching methods such as lecturing have limitations in cultivating students' creative problem-solving abilities, lacking open-minded thinking training and interdisciplinary practices. The evolution of Chinese language and literature education from emphasizing language rhetoric to literary history is analyzed for its impact on student capability development. To effectively enhance students' creative thinking and practical problem-solving skills, the recommendation is to introduce diversified methods and interdisciplinary training in teaching, enabling students to flexibly apply literary knowledge to address real-world issues. This reform not only contributes to cultivating well-rounded professionals in the field of literature but also provides crucial support for societal and literary research advancement.

Conspiracy beliefs in the context of a comprehensive rationality assessment

The recent intense interest in conspiratorial thinking is fuelled by the perception that belief in conspiracies is highly irrational. However, there have been few studies that have examined the associations of conspiracy belief with a comprehensive battery of rational thinking tasks that tap both epistemic and instrumental rationality. The Comprehensive Assessment of Rational Thinking (CART) provides an opportunity to do just that because one of the subtests on the CART assesses the tendency to believe false conspiracies. That subtest is in the part of the CART that measures the presence of contaminated mindware—stored declarative knowledge that embodies poorly justified beliefs. Converging analyses (N = 747) using the 18 subtests and four thinking dispositions measured on the CART indicated that three variables were key predictors of conspiratorial thinking: superstitious thinking, actively open-minded thinking, and probabilistic reasoning. Theoretical consideration of these best predictors, and of the variables that predict the endorsement of true conspiracies, led us to rethink the classification of conspiracy belief as contaminated mindware and move instead towards a conception of conspiratorial thinking as a cognitive style.

Two components of individual differences in actively open-minded thinking standards: myside bias and uncertainty aversion

The theory of actively open-minded thinking (AOT) implies standards for good thinking. Two broad aspects of these standards characterise individual differences in their acceptance: myside bias, in which thinking favours possible conclusions that are already strong; and uncertainty aversion, a belief that good thinking results in high confidence. Acceptance of AOT standards is often measured with short questionnaire scales. The present paper reports one study focusing on each of these two biases in the evaluation of the trustworthiness of sources, on the basis of short statements differing in signs of myside bias or of unjustified overconfidence. A 10-item scale measuring largely myside bias predicts sensitivity to both sources of difference in the statements. A third study examines the generality of the two standards across topics. The study used four questions about each topic and an 11-item scale with more items about uncertainty aversion. Individual differences are preserved across topic, although some results imply that individual differences are more pronounced when a standard is seen as more relevant to the content. The two standards are best characterised as two unidimensional factors that are correlated with each other. Thus, individual differences in AOT standards are not unidimensional.

Research on the Current Situation and Proposal of Some Basic Solutions to Develop Open- Minded Thinking for Medical Students in Hanoi City

In the context of educational reform, developing open-minded thinking has become an important requirement to enhance comprehensive capabilities for students in general and medical students in particular. Open-minded thinking is not only an essential tool but also helps learners become flexible and creative in problem-solving. The topic focuses on the current situation of developing open-minded thinking among medical students in Hanoi City. Consequently, it proposes measures to foster open-minded thinking among medical students.

Explaining contentious political issues promotes open-minded thinking

Cognitive scientists suggest that inviting people to explain contentious political issues might reduce intergroup toxicity because it exposes people to how poorly they understand the issue. However, whether providing explanations can result in more open-minded political thinking remains unclear. On one hand, inviting people to explain a political issue might make them more impartial and open-minded in their thinking. On the other hand, an invitation to explain a contentious political issue might lead to myside bias—rationalization of one's default position. Here, we address these contrasting predictions in five experiments (N = 1884; three pre-registered), conducted across a variety of contexts: with graduate students interacting with an actor in a laboratory setting, with US residents at the peak of the 2012 and 2016 U.S. presidential elections, with UK residents before the highly polarized 2019 Brexit vote, and with gun-control partisans. Across studies, we found that explaining politically contentious topics resulted in more open-minded thinking, an effect that generalized across coded (Studies 1–4) and self-report (Studies 3–4) measures. We also observed that participants who were made to feel like their explanations were welcomed felt closer to their discussion partner (Studies 3–4), an effect that generalized to all outgroup members with whom they disagreed with about the politically contentious issue (Study 4). We discuss the theoretical implications of these findings, and the potential for explanations to foster open-minded political engagement.

Mental health among college students: Relationships with Actively Open-Minded Thinking, Spirituality, and Psychological Wellbeing

Mental health, like many other physical diseases can contribute to a significant loss of output in our economy. Higher education institutes can play a significant role in enhancing the mental wellbeing of college students. In support of this endeavor, this research investigates how actively open-minded thinking (AOT) and spirituality (SP) relate to psychological wellbeing (PWB). Data revealed that both AOT and SP have a positive impact on most dimensions of PWB and in some instances, SP acts as a moderator. Our study highlights the importance of SP in the PWB of college students.

Canadians’ knowledge of cancer risk factors and belief in cancer myths

BackgroundMany untrue statements about cancer prevention and risks are circulating. The objective of this study was to assess Canadians’ awareness of known cancer risk factors and cancer myths (untruths or statements that are not completely true), and to explore how awareness may vary by sociodemographic and cognitive factors.MethodsCancer myths were identified by conducting scans of published, grey literature, and social media. Intuitive-analytic thinking disposition scores included were actively open- and close-minded thinking, as well as preference for intuitive and effortful thinking. A survey was administered online to participants aged 18 years and older through Prolific. Results were summarized descriptively and analyzed using chi-square tests, as well as Spearman rank and Pearson correlations.ResultsResponses from 734 Canadians were received. Participants were better at identifying known cancer risk factors (70% of known risks) compared to cancer myths (49%). Bivariate analyses showed differential awareness of known cancer risk factors (p < 0.05) by population density and income, cancer myths by province, and for both by ethnicity, age, and all thinking disposition scores. Active open-minded thinking and preference for effortful thinking were associated with greater discernment. Tobacco-related risk factors were well-identified (> 90% correctly identified), but recognition of other known risk factors was poor (as low as 23% for low vegetable and fruit intake). Mythical cancer risk factors with high support were consuming additives (61%), feeling stressed (52%), and consuming artificial sweeteners (49%). High uncertainty of causation was observed for glyphosate (66% neither agreed or disagreed). For factors that reduce cancer risk, reasonable awareness was observed for HPV vaccination (60%), but there was a high prevalence in cancer myths, particularly that consuming antioxidants (65%) and organic foods (45%) are protective, and some uncertainty whether drinking red wine (41%), consuming vitamins (32%), and smoking cannabis (30%) reduces cancer risk.ConclusionsWhile Canadians were able to identify tobacco-related cancer risk factors, many myths were believed and numerous risk factors were not recognized. Cancer myths can be harmful in themselves and can detract the public’s attention from and action on established risk factors.

Tarik Nouredeen Abdelreheem Ahme Differences in Active Open-minded Thinking of Saudi University Students with High and Low Academic Levels according to Academic Specialization and Cognitive Epistemological Beliefs

هدف الدراسة: تناولت الدراسة بحث الفروق في التفكير المتفتح النشط والمعتقدات المعرفية لدى طلاب الجامعات السعودية في ضوء المستويين الأكاديميين (مرتفع- منخفض)، التخصص الدراسي والنوع الاجتماعي (ذكور- إناث). المنهجية: بلغ عدد أفرادالعينة النهائية 606 طلاب وطالبات في الجامعات السعودية من ذوي التخصصات العملية والإنسانية، منهم 303 طلاب من المتميزين أكاديمياً. استخدمت الدراسة مقياس التفكير المتفتح النشط ومقياس المعتقدات المعرفية. وقد أدخلت البيانات وحللت باستخدام البرنامج الإحصائي (SPSS, v23)، واستخدام التحليل العاملي الاستكشافي والتوكيدي، وتحليل التباين، واختبار "ت"، ومعامل الارتباط لبيرسون ومعامل الانحدار المتعدد. النتائج: رصد وجود فروق بين الطلاب في بعض أبعاد التفكير المتفتح النشط تبعاً للمستويات التحصيلية، النوع، التخصص الدراسي، كما رصد ارتباط دال إحصائياً بين جميع أبعاد التفكير المتفتح النشط وبعض أبعاد المعتقدات المعرفية؛ مما أسهم في التنبؤ بالمعتقدات المعرفية من خلال أبعاد التفكير المتفتح النشط. ولوحظ مجموعة من الاختلافات بين الطلاب مرتفعي التحصيل والطلاب منخفضي التحصيل في التفكير المتفتح النشط. الخلاصة: لتكوين معتقد معرفي وبنية معرفية إيجابية بين طلاب الجامعات لا بد من الاهتمام بالتفكير المتفتح النشط، وقد أبرزت الدراسة دوراً محورياً للتفكير المتفتح النشط في بناء المعتقدات المعرفية الإيجابية لدى طلاب الجامعات السعودية.

Cognitive styles and psi: psi researchers are more similar to skeptics than to lay believers.

Belief in psi, which includes psychic phenomena such as extra-sensory perception and post-mortem survival, is widespread yet controversial. According to one of the leading and perhaps most tested hypotheses, high belief in psi can be explained by differences in various aspects of cognition, including cognitive styles. Most of this research has been conducted with lay individuals. Here, we tested the hypothesis that academic researchers who investigate psi may exhibit different cognitive styles than lay individuals interested in psi, and are more similar to skeptics. We measured two cognitive styles-actively open-minded thinking (AOT) and the need for closure (NFC)-and assessed differences among four heterogeneous groups regarding belief in psi and involvement in related research. Specifically, our study included academic psi researchers (N = 44), lay individuals who believe in psi (N = 32), academics who are skeptics of psi (N = 35), and lay individuals who are skeptics (N = 33). We found group differences in AOT (p = 0.003) but not in NFC scores (p = 0.67). Post hoc tests showed no significant difference in AOT scores between academics who conduct psi research (4.5 ± 0.3) and academic skeptics (4.5 ± 0.3; p = 0.91) or lay skeptics (4.5 ± 0.4; p = 0.80). The lay psi group had significantly lower AOT scores (4.2 ± 0.4) than the other three groups (ps: 0.005-0.04), indicating a decreased willingness to consider a range of evidence when forming an opinion, including evidence that challenges their beliefs. AOT was negatively associated with psi belief in the two skeptic groups combined (r = -0.29, p = 0.01), but not in the psi groups (r = -0.03, p = 0.78). Our research shows that academics who work with psi differ from lay psi individuals, but not from skeptics, in actively open-minded thinking. In other words, despite their high belief in psi phenomena, psi researchers demonstrate a commitment to sound reasoning about evidence that is no different from that of skeptics.

The role of perceived minority-group status in the conspiracy beliefs of factual majority groups.

Research suggests that minority-group members sometimes are more susceptible to misinformation. Two complementary studies examined the influence of perceived minority status on susceptibility to misinformation and conspiracy beliefs. In study 1 (n = 2140), the perception of belonging to a minority group, rather than factually belonging to it, was most consistently related with an increased susceptibility to COVID-19 misinformation across national samples from the USA, the UK, Germany and Poland. Specifically, perceiving that one belongs to a gender minority group particularly predicted susceptibility to misinformation when participants factually did not belong to it. In pre-registered study 2 (n = 1823), an experiment aiming to manipulate the minority perceptions of men failed to influence conspiracy beliefs in the predicted direction. However, pre-registered correlational analyses showed that men who view themselves as a gender minority were more prone to gender conspiracy beliefs and exhibited a heightened conspiracy mentality. This effect was correlationally mediated by increased feelings of system identity threat, collective narcissism, group relative deprivation and actively open-minded thinking. Especially, the perception of being a minority in terms of power and influence (as compared to numerically) was linked to these outcomes. We discuss limitations and practical implications for countering misinformation.

Testing the Theory of Good Thinking and Deciding in Organizational Setting: Many Benefits of Leader’s Actively Open-minded Thinking

Testing the Theory of Good Thinking and Deciding in Organizational Setting: Many Benefits of Leader’s Actively Open-minded Thinking

Open-minded and reflective thinking predicts reasoning and meta-reasoning: evidence from a ratio-bias conflict task

Dispositional measures of actively open-minded thinking and cognitive reflection both predict reasoning accuracy on conflict problems. Here we investigated their relative impact on meta-reasoning. To this end, we measured reasoning accuracy and two indices of meta-reasoning performance – conflict detection sensitivity and meta-reasoning discrimination – using a ratio-bias task. Our key predictors were actively open-minded thinking and cognitive reflection, and numeracy, cognitive ability, and mindware instantiation were controlled for. Actively open-minded thinking was a better predictor of reasoning accuracy and meta-reasoning discrimination than cognitive reflection, and was the only dispositional measure to significantly predict conflict detection sensitivity. Thus, susceptibility to biased reasoning and meta-reasoning may be better captured by a reasoner’s ability to engage in open-minded thinking than by their ability to engage in reflective thinking.

I think, therefore I ignore: a study on disinformation’s credibility perceptions and sharing intentions over social media

ABSTRACT This paper evaluates the influence that bandwagon heuristics (conceptualized as the number of likes and comments’ valence) and actively open-minded thinking (AOT) have on the credibility and sharing of disinformation over social media. Across two experimental studies, Study 1 finds a direct link between the sharing intention of social media posts containing disinformation and an interactive effect of AOT on such bandwagon heuristics. Study 2 demonstrates that for posts containing disinformation, the number of likes has a significant influence on sharing intentions, but not credibility, whilst comments have a significant influence on credibility, but not sharing intentions. Furthermore, Study 2 found the influence of AOT attenuates the effects of such heuristics. Overall, this research contributes to the extant literature and practice by demonstrating the influence bandwagon heuristics and AOT have on disinformation over social media. This paper further presents areas of future research to improve the understanding of how disinformation spreads.

What is wrong with conspiracy beliefs?

The majority of psychological research highlights the role of lapses in rational thinking as a significant contributing factor to conspiracy beliefs (CBs). However, historical examples demonstrate that not all CBs are inherently incorrect. In this paper, we propose a more nuanced approach, suggesting that instead of universally labelling CBs as false or adopting an agnostic stance towards their veracity, it is beneficial to assess the plausibility of each CB individually along a continuum. To achieve this, we recommend utilizing two key indicators: (1) the prior probability of a specific conspiracy theory being true, considered independently of any supporting or contradicting evidence, and (2) the extent to which proponents of a CB demonstrate actively open-minded thinking. We delve into the rationale behind employing such a nuanced approach to evaluating CB plausibility and present several strategies for calculating and integrating plausibility ratings within conspiracy research. Consistent with our proposed framework, we argue that conspiracy researchers possess both the capability and responsibility to differentiate certain CBs as comparatively more irrational than others, provided that such differentiation is based on principled and probabilistic grounds.

Learning Organization on Technological Company in Beijing, China: Perspective of ABC Company Employees

Background and Aim: Learning organizations incorporate knowledge to improve workforce behavior and address societal, competitive, and economic challenges, adapting management styles and innovations to maintain competitive advantages. This research aims to investigate the level of the opinion of employees on the learning organization of ABC Company in Beijing, China, and to study the guidelines to improve the learning organization of ABC Company in Beijing, China. Materials and Methods: This research is a quantitative research method. The ABC Company is a technological company which was located in the company in Beijing, China. The number 323 employees of CCIC Company are identified as the sample size for this study. The questionnaire was used as the research tool. The statistical parameters, such as the mean and standard deviation, were utilized to analyze the data and determine the presented information. Results: Beijing employees highly value ABC Company's learning organization, promoting self-determination, innovation, cooperation, and risk-taking. Key factors include team learning, open-minded thinking, commitment, system thinking, and vision sharing. Continuous learning is crucial for organizational success. Conclusion: Beijing employees value ABC Company's learning organization, promoting self-determination, innovation, cooperation, and risk-taking for organizational success. A learning organization should develop employees with a common vision, foster creativity, and collaborate, ensuring knowledge exchange and self-tests. Innovation capability is essential in using new technologies, supporting personnel, and promoting business exchange.

Investigating the relationship of actively open-minded thinking in future time perspectives among Saudi undergraduate students.

This study investigated the basic functions of active open-minded reasoning and future time perspectives by examining the role of sex and studydiscipline in determining future time perspectives among Saudi college students. The sample included 1796 Saudi students (40% female). This study employed active open-minded thinking and future time perspective scales and discovered a relationship between active open-minded thinking and its sub-factors as well as future time perspectives. Multilinear regression analysis revealed that repeated open-minded thinking had a significant impact on forecasting time perspectives. Furthermore, sex and study discipline served as bridges in forecasting future timeperspectives. Furthermore, the results revealed differences between male and female participants. However, the research results of the study discipline (i.e., social sciences and humanities) demonstrated a larger contribution to open-minded thinking and future time perspectives. Our findings revealed that active open-minded thinking was related to sex. In addition,the study disciplinehad a major influence on expectations of time perspectives. We conclude that active open-minded thinking contributes significantly to forecasting time perspectives.