Question

According to research by psychologist William Perry, students entering Harvard University tended to have a view of the world that meant that they reasoned that something was right or wrong; people were good or bad; and others were either for them or against them. He called this __________.
a) post formal thought
b) dualistic thinking
c) dialectical thinking
d) formal operational thought

Answer 1

Answer:

The answer is Option B. This is an example of dualistic thinking.

Explanation:

Dualistic thinking is limiting because it means that you tend to think in extremes of right and wrong or good and bad when in reality the world is more complex and dualisms are limiting in terms of how to understand the world. William Perry developed studies that looked at the cognitive and ethical development of undergraduate students.  He believed that college students go through four stages in their intellectual development: dualism, multiplicity, relativism, and commitment. By the end of their college careers college students tend to accept there is more uncertainty in life.