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PRACTICE SCENARIOS FOR CHAPTER SIX
EACH OF THE CASES PRESENTED BELOW CONTAIN AT LEAST ONE OF THE
FALLACIES DISCUSSED IN THIS CHAPTER. FOR EACH CASE, NAME AT LEAST
ONE FALLACY IT CONTAINS AND EXPLAIN HOW THE PERSON WHO
COMMITTED THE FALLACY MIGHT HAVE AVOIDED IT. THAT IS, EXPLAIN HOW
THIS PERSON COULD HAVE MORE EFFECTIVELY DEALT WITH HIS OR HER
SITUATION.
1.
Jerry lost his job 10 months ago and although he has had a number of
interviews, he has not since been able to get another job in his field. In what
follows he discusses the matter with his counselor:
Counselor: "How are you feeling today, Jerry."
Jerry: "I have a job interview tomorrow. I really need this job and it's just right
for me too."
Counselor: "What if you don't get it?"
Jerry: "That would be terrible."
Counselor: "Terrible?"
Jerry: "Yes, I just couldn't take another rejection. I don't know what I'd do
then."
Answer:
I-Can’t-Stand-It-It Is
In this situation, it is good to see Jerry still hopeful and positive about
his interview tomorrow. Although, if Jerry doesn’t get the job, he could always
try a new profession instead of saying “I don’t know what I’d do then.”
2.
Here is what one teenager tells her boyfriend:
"You have the perfect family; I don't think your parents ever even fight; not
like my family."
Answer:
The “Terrific” Fallacy
This person is using the terrific fallacy. She may believe that her
boyfriend’s family is “perfect” because she has never seen his parents fight
before. Every relationship has their problems and although she has never
witnessed his family “fight”, they probably do it behind closed doors. Instead
of assuming her boyfriend’s family is perfect, she should consider that every
relationship has their own problems and she shouldn’t “beat herself up” over
her family not being “perfect”.
3.
Here is what one junior high school teacher tells a colleague:
"Some of those little juvenile delinquents are really getting on my nerves.
The other day one of them brought a dead mouse to school and put it in my
desk. Today one of them started whistling Dixie while I was teaching. Not all
of them are irksome but others really aggravate me. I'm becoming a nervous
wreck from them. I just can't stand much more of it before I explode.
Sometimes, I feel like shooting them."
Answer:
The “Thou Shalt Upset Yourself” Fallacy
This high school teacher is becoming anxious and nervous at work
because of the kids. She could consider different options of “punishment” for
those specific kids in her class. She could give them detention, call their
parents, or take what they are doing up to the principle. This problem could
be solved by doing just that, if not, she will continue to keep herself in an
aggravated state.
4.
Housewife: "I can't believe I couldn't even remember to turn off the oven. I
couldn't even do that right. What good am I anyway!"
Answer:
Damnation
This housewife is using the Damnation Fallacy (self-damnation). Instead
of thinking negatively about herself, she could simply learn from her mistake,
and remind herself to turn off the stove next time. Because she did one thing
wrong, doesn’t make her a no good person overall.
5.
Henry is a newlywed. His wife, Diana, wants Henry to help with the
household chores--grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning. Henry discusses
the matter with his friend, Jim, who used to date Diana before she met Henry.
Here is their discussion:
Henry: "Diana wants me to split the grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning
with her."
Jim: "Are you serious? You mean she's going to try to get you to do her work
too? Boy, if you stand for that then she'll turn you into a henpecked wimp
before long."
Henry: "No she won't; because I'm not going to do it."
Jim: "That's the spirit. Now you're talking like a man."
Answer:
Poisoning the Well
Jim is using the Poisoning the Well Fallacy on Henry. Because Jim used
to date Diana, he could still have feelings for her and knowing that his friend
is now married to her, he wants him to see the “bad” in her. By Jim saying
that “shell turn you into a henpecked wimp”, he is “poisoning” Henry into
believing that is what he will become if she continues to ask for help with the
chores. Henry should get better advice or talk to someone other than his
wife’s ex about their relationship. If Henry communicates with his wife, there
could be a better outcome and feelings towards doing the chores at home.
Maybe Diana isn’t trying to “make” him do everything in a malicious way,
but simply just for help.
6.
Dr. Molley, a university instructor, stops in the midst of one of his lectures
and takes half of the class hour to address one student who had his head
down on his desk apparently sleeping instead of taking notes. Here is some
of what he says:
Dr. Molley: "You really have gaul thinking that you can sleep in my class. This
is one thing that I just cannot, and will not, tolerate in my class. You are
setting a bad precedent for others to follow. If you got away with it, then
others would try it too and eventually the whole class might follow your
example. You could destroy the whole point of being here! This would be an
awful thing, and I just couldn't stand to let you undermine my class like that."
Answer:
Slippery Slope-Awfulizing-I-Can’t-Stand-It-It Is Syndrome
Dr. Molley is exaggerating the negatives of his student for sleeping in
class. Saying that because of this student’s actions, other students will follow
and also sleep in his class. Then, it would destroy the whole point of going to
class and learning. Dr. Molley should have instead, kept his lecture on
sleeping in class short, and spoke with the student in private about his
actions.
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*7.
Lucille's husband, Ted, had an affair with another man while they were
married and subsequently left her for this man. Here is a discussion between
Lucille and her counselor:
Lucille: "It's bad enough when your husband leaves you for another woman,
but its a terrible thing when he leaves you for another man."
Counselor: "Why is it a terrible thing?"
Lucille: "It means that I couldn't even compete with another man. What kind
of woman am I if I can't even do that."
Answer:
Damnation
Lucille is using the Fallacy of Damnation. Although her feelings are
valid, she should stop damning herself because of what her husband did to
her. It is not her fault her husband had an affair with another man. Lucille
should continue to see her counselor and express her emotions to make
peace that her husband’s affair that had nothing to do with her.
8.
David's mother has invited him and his wife, Stacey, for dinner next
Sunday. Stacey is opposed to the idea of going. Here is what she tells David:
Stacey: "Do we have to waste another Sunday evening listening to her? I just
can't stand the way she treats me. She hardly ever talks to me and, when
she does, she usually tells me how wrong I am. She makes me feel like such
a jerk. Every time I leave her house I can't stop shaking. She makes me so
upset, honey. Do we really have to go? Can't we tell her that our car is
broken, or the kids have chicken pox? That way she won't be able to
aggravate me and destroy another Sunday evening for me."
Answer:
Awfulizing
Stacey is exaggerating the situation of going to her mother in-laws
house for dinner. Because of the way her husband’s mother treats her, this is
the worst possible situation she could be in and already assuming that
another Sunday evening will be destroyed. Stacey should have a
conversation with her mother in-law about how she makes her feel instead of
ignoring the situation. By ignoring the situation, Stacey’s husband could feel
like he can’t see his mother because of his wife’s feelings towards her. So, by
Stacey conversing with her mother in-law, hopefully they will one day enjoy
each other’s company.
9.
Below is a discussion between a professor and one of his students, Hank,
who has just admitted to cheating on all of his exams:
Professor: "Why have you cheated on your exams?"
Hank: "Because then I don't have to try to do good."
Professor: "What's wrong with trying to do good?"
Hank: "Then I might fail."
Professor: "And what if you try to do good and fail?"
Hank: "If I try to do good and fail, then I'm a failure, I'm worthless."
Professor: "Do you think you should never fail, and if you do, then you're a
failure?"
Hank: "No. It doesn't bother me if I don't try to do good and fail. I have to be
successful at what I try; otherwise, I'm a failure."
Answer:
Demanding Perfection (In this Imperfect World)
Hank believes that if you fail at something, you are a failure. If you do
something, it has to be perfect. If it is not perfect, you are a failure. In this
case, it is better to fail and learn, than fail and “beat yourself up” for not
being perfect. Failure is always a lesson. You cannot perfect something if you
don’t try.
*10.
Roselyn is a 30-year-old housewife with two young children, ages 6 and
8. Much of her daily routine consists of doing household chores, transporting
children to and from school, preparing meals, helping her children with their
homework and a number of other domestic activities. Roselyn often
schedules conferences with her children's teachers to discuss her children's
progress in school. In a recent conference, Roselyn was told that her son,
Bobby, has been getting into fights with some of the other children at school
and has been talking in class during rest period. Here is a discussion
between Roselyn and her husband, Ross:
Ross: "Honey, why don't we go out dancing this Saturday."
Roselyn: "I don't think so; not this Saturday; maybe next weekend."
Ross: "Why not? We'll have some fun."
Roselyn: "We don't even have a sitter for the kids."
Ross: "I spoke to Jackie next door, and she said that she would be happy to
sit."
Roselyn: "Is that all you can think of at a time like this? Doesn't it even
bother you that your son is having problems in school?"
Ross: "Sure it does Honey but why can't we go dancing anyway? Don't worry,
I'll get to the bottom of this. Just don't you worry honey!"
Roselyn: "Look, Ross, leave me alone this weekend. I'm just not in the mood.
I can't think of prancing around with you at a time like this. I've got more
important things on my mind than you and your Saturday night escapades."
Answer:
The “Thou Shalt Upset Yourself” Fallacy
Roselyn is upsetting herself because of her kids’ actions at school. She
does not want to do anything else until the situation is resolved. Roselyn
should have a talk with her kids about what is going on at school but until
then, wait for the situation to be resolved. There is nothing Roselyn can do
but to wait for a change from her kids. Although she has a lot on her mind,
she should not take this situation out on her husband.
11.
"When I asked her to go out with me, she actually laughed in my face. It
was horrible. I felt like two cents."
Answer:
Damnation
This person is using the Damnation Fallacy by saying “I felt like two
cents” making himself feel belittled. It was wrong for the girl to laugh in
his/her face because it caused low self-esteem and low confidence for this
person. Now, asking someone else out will be challenging for him. Although
her response was hurtful, he/she should look at the brighter side that maybe
that girl wasn’t the right one and next time will be mindful about the type of
person they chose to ask on a date.
12.
Frank is a student in Mr. Davison's geometry class. He is having
difficulties with applying the distributive property to proof construction, so he
asks Mr. Davison to explain it. Here is their discussion:
Frank: "Mr. Davison, could you go over why distribution can be used to solve
the proof on page 200?"
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Mr. Davison: [Rolls his eyes] "That's a really dumb question. We've done
about a thousand other problems like that. Anybody have any other
questions?"
[No one asks any further questions]
Answer:
The “I Just Can’t Help This Feeling” Fallacy
Mr. Davison is using the I just can’t control this feeling fallacy because
he is rolling his eyes and taking his emotions out on his student Frank. Just
because Frank still doesn’t understand the problem, doesn’t mean Mr.
Davison should dismiss Frank’s question with a harsh response saying,
“that’s a really dumb question”. Instead, Mr. Davison should advise Frank to
see a tutor, considering everyone learns at a different pace. Not put him
down because he asked a question.
*13.
Tanya and Craig are both in their late thirties and have been married for
ten years. Last night they had a quarrel. Tanya accused Craig of working too
much and not spending enough time with her. She said that he was a "poor
excuse for a husband" and that she was "sick and tired" of living with such a
"boring" man. Here is their discussion the next morning:
Tanya: "I just want to apologize for the things I said to you last night. Are you
still upset with me?"
Craig: "Well, kind of. You really hurt me when you said those things to me. I
couldn't sleep the entire night because of you. I hope you will not upset me
like that again. I really should remain calm. I'm no kid anymore, you know.
One of these days you're going to give me a heart attack!"
Answer:
The “I Just Can’t Help This Feeling” Fallacy
Tanya is using the I Just Can’t Help This Feeling Fallacy. Instead of using
emotional language to make her point clear, she should talk with Craig and
discus her feelings towards them not spending enough time together. Craig
should, if he can, request a day off just for the two of them to spend quality
time together.
14.
Carlton is a 40-year-old hardware salesman in a large department store.
He has held the same job for six years and has not gotten a raise since he
was employed. Last year, he interviewed for a sales position at a local
hardware store, but he did not get the job. Recently, however, his brother-in-
law, Salvador, offered to go partners with him in their own hardware store.
Here is his response to Salvador's offer:
Carlton: "I'm sorry Sal, but, as much as I would like to do it, I just can't take
you up on it. It's just too much for me. It's easier for me just to stay where
I'm at. I just couldn't take the hassles of running a business."
Answer:
I-Can’t-Stand-It-It Is
Carlton can’t stand the hassle of running Sal’s business. He is
underrating his abilities to take on a new position. Instead, Carlton should
accept the job because he was looking for a promotion and for him not to
take this opportunity would be foolish.
15.
Mr. Aimes, a community college instructor, is presently awaiting a tenure
decision. Having had some problems with the college administration, he has
doubts about whether he will be granted tenure. Here is a discussion he has
with his wife:
Mr. Aimes: "What if I don't get it? Then what do I do?"
Mrs. Aimes: "Oh, I'm sure you'll find another job and, anyway, what's the use
of worry now when you still might get it."
Mr. Aimes: "I don't think you even understand what I'm going through. This is
my career we're talking about! How can you have the nerve to tell me not to
worry about it. Don't you even care?"
Answer:
I-Can’t-Stand-It-It Is
Mr. Aimes is using the I can’t stand it it is fallacy by saying “what if I
don’t get it? Then what do I do?”. He is assuring his wife that his career is
very important to him. Although his wife is genuinely concerned and only
wants the best for him, by her saying “oh, I’m sure you’ll find another job…”
isn’t what he wants to hear. Instead, he could have remained positive about
being granted tenure instead of taking it out on his wife saying that she
doesn’t care.
16.
Mother: "My kids are enough to make anyone crazy.
When they don't listen to me, they get me so mad that I completely lose
control."
Answer:
The “I Just Can’t Help This Feeling” Fallacy
This mother is using the I just can’t help this feeling fallacy by not
being able to control her emotions towards her kids. Kids are kids and
sometimes they don’t listen. There is a lot of patience this mother needs to
practice with her children. She should see a family counselor and discuss the
problems she is having at home.
*17.
Dwayne has been in counseling for about two months and has been
working on the avoidance of fallacies in his thinking. Here is what he tells his
counselor in one of his sessions:
Dwayne: "This week I committed the fallacy of demanding perfection."
Counselor: "Tell me about it."
Dwayne: "My wife was supposed to meet me for lunch at twelve thirty and
didn't show up until one. I got very angry at her. I told myself that people
should never make other people wait like that, especially people who are
supposed to care about you."
Counselor: "Do you think that you were making an unreasonable demand?"
Dwayne: "I obviously was. Now I feel like such a fool. At this point in
counseling, I shouldn't be making such mistakes. Why did I let myself get so
angry!"
Answer:
The “Thou Shalt Upset Yourself” Fallacy
Dwayne is upsetting himself because he is “demanding perfection”. He
should understand that sometimes things happen and nothing in life will ever
be perfect. His wife may have got caught in traffic, had to turn around for
something she forgot, health related issues and much more. Dwyane
shouldn’t upset himself because he is still getting angry even after
counseling. He should consider that learning new habits take time.
18.
Gregory is a 35 year old novelist. He has been married for 14 years and
has two children. In the past, he has published several books, one of which
has become a best seller. However, he is presently experiencing "writer's
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block" and is unable to write anything publishable. Here is what he tells his
agent:
Gregory: "When I write, I feel like I have a purpose in life; I feel like I'm worth
something. But now I feel dead inside, like my life has lost its meaning. If I
can't write anymore, I might as well be dead!"
Answer:
Slippery Slope-Awfulizing-I-Can’t-Stand-It Is
In this scenario, Gregory is exaggerating the negative of his writer’s
block making it feel like his life has “lost meaning” because he doesn’t know
what to write. Instead, Gregory should take a walk outside, go somewhere
quiet and inspiring to help with more inspiration for his book.
19.
"I'm a perfectionist. If I do anything, then it's got to be perfect."
Answer:
Demanding Perfection (In this Imperfect World)
This person is using the demanding perfection fallacy. This person
should consider that mistakes are ok and nothing is ever a failure, but a
lesson.
20.
Deborah is a 15-year-old high school student. Her father had sexually
molested her from the ages 6 through 13. She is presently promiscuous and
has a drug habit. Here is a discussion between her and a school counselor:
Deborah: "My father is the best father you could ever have."
Counselor: "Why do you think so?"
Deborah: "He buys me presents all the time. He's so good to me."
Counselor: "Has he ever done anything to hurt you?"
Deborah: "Oh no! He'd never do anything like that."
Answer:
The “Terrific” Fallacy
Deborah has been conditioned to think that her dad who is abusive to
her, is a great guy because he buys her things, manipulating her into
thinking this is what is right. Deborah possibly doesn’t understand the
difference between right and wrong in this situation because she has been
abused since she was 6 years old. Because she doesn’t understand her
feelings, she is using drugs to cope. She should continue to see a therapist
about her father’s behavior and how it is affecting her now.
21.
Music Student: "If I mess up in my solo performance tonight, then
everyone will laugh at me, my reputation will be ruined, and I'll be tortured
for the rest of my life; I just couldn't stand it."
Answer:
Slippery Slope-Awfulizing-I-Can’t-Stand-It Is
Instead of this music student thinking the worst about his/her
performance before it has even started, he/ she should understand that
everyone makes mistakes and their life won't be over, over a mistake. This
person should take a deep breath, switch their mindset to a more positive
outlook on their performance.
22.
Mr. Shiner, a junior high school teacher, has problems with controlling his
classes. Many of the students talk to each other while he tries to teach.
Some of the students who want to learn are displeased by Mr. Shiner's
inability to control the class. On one occasion, Mr. Shiner stops his lesson and
says the following to the class:
Mr. Shiner: "OK, now I've had it with you animals. Don't you have any sense
at all? Why do you come to school anyway? What purpose do you serve
anyway in life besides disturbing others?"
[Many of the students who had been talking laugh.]
Answer:
The “I Just Can’t Help This Feeling” Fallacy
Mr. Shiner cannot control his emotions when some of the students in
his class act out. Although students can be hard to control, taking it up with
the principal or sending them to detention would have been more ideal than
screaming at his students.
23.
"I refuse to eat in a restaurant by myself. I just couldn't stand sitting
there knowing that people were looking at me and thinking that I was some
sort of oddball."
Answer:
I-Can’t-Stand-It-It Is
This person is using the I can’t stand it it is fallacy by thinking that she
cannot do something because of what other people would think about her.
He/she should try going out to eat by themselves to build confidence within
instead of thinking that she would be an “oddball”.
24.
Here is an encounter between two men who are in love with the same
woman:
John: "Why don't you crawl back into the gutter where you came from, you
worthless scum!"
Bill: "Why you no good, dirty, rotten . . ." [Punches John]
Answer:
Poisoning the Well
This scenario is the poisoning the well fallacy. John is trying to
intimidate Bill to “crawl back into the gutter where you came from” using
strong emotional language. If the two men were friends, they should talk to
each other about the situation. If they aren’t, they should ask themselves, is
she worth fighting for? Also, why are the two men in love with the same
woman? Is she the one playing games with both men?
25.
Dr. Cynthia L. George, professor of mathematics, prides herself on her
excellence in
t
eaching math. However, on one occasion, she made an
obvious mistake on the board, which was then corrected by a student in the
class. Here is one thing she tells herself about this incident:
"I don't know how I could have made such a stupid mistake. I'm a full
professor of mathematics; I shouldn't be making mistakes like this. Imagine
being corrected in front of the whole class by a student. How terribly
humiliating!
Answer:
Damnation (Self-Damnation)
Dr. Cynthia is using the self-damnation fallacy. She is negatively rating
herself based on her student’s response for correcting her teaching skills.
She should instead be proud of her student for knowing the answer because
it was only a mistake Dr. Cynthia made.
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26.
Son: "I was thinking about asking Mary Pine to the senior prom."
Mother: "Really? Does she still have those crooked teeth or did her parents
finally invest in some braces? God only knows she needed them. She was
always such a homely little thing."
Answer:
Awfulizing
This mother is awfulizing Mary Pine by using strong emotional
language to define her. Her son is possibly feeling upset at his mother’s
response because he clearly likes Mary enough to ask her to prom. This
mother should instead be more mindful about what she says to her son
about the girl he chose to ask to prom because Mary could be an amazing
girl and the perfect fit for her son. It is not always about physical
appearance, but who they truly are as a person.
*27.
Alice and Pauline are friends and roommates at college. This evening
Alice is planning to study for tomorrow morning's history exam when Pauline
asks Alice to go with her to a party that same evening. Here is their
discussion:
Pauline: "Hey Alice, let's both go to Lora's party. There's going to be some
real cute guys there. Lora told me that Sam Larson is going to be there too.
He has the nicest butt!"
Alice: "I don't think so. I have this history exam to study for and I really don't
know the stuff."
Pauline: "Alice, you are such a bore! Well, go ahead and study for your dumb
test. I guess you can't help it if you're a bookworm. Have fun with your
history book."
Alice: "OK, I'll go with you. Can we be back by twelve?"
Pauline: "Sure, don't be such a worrywart. Let's get ready."
Answer:
Poisoning the Well
Pauline is using the poisoning the well fallacy on Alice. She is making
Alice feel bad for wanting to study instead of going out. Pauline is
manipulating Alice into going to a party when she has other responsibilities.
Instead, Pauline should have respected Alices responsibilities and found
another friend to go to the party with. Now, there is a chance that Alice won't
do well on her exam because she wasn’t focused.
28.
Judy is a cashier in a local bookstore store. Yesterday at work she gave a
customer back too much change, a ten instead of a five, and did not realize it
until the customer had driven off. Here is what she tells herself as she is
lying in her bed, still awake, at 3:00 A.M. in the morning:
Judy: "I know I really messed up big time. I can't stop thinking about what I
did and how I should have known better. How could I have done such a
thing."
Answer:
The “Thou Shalt Upset Yourself” Fallacy
Judy is upsetting herself over a simple mistake at work. If she is
worried about the mistake she made, she would find peace in telling her boss
what happened.