Question

Read the following passage from the Article:

If people catch themselves thinking, "I don't know how to do this," for example, they might instead tell themselves, "Here's a chance to learn something new." If that pernicious little voice in their head pipes up with "I'm no good at this" or "I'll never finish this," they might come up with a rejoinder like "I can practice and improve" or "I'll make a plan and take it step by step."


Why did the author include this information?


A.To prove that it is much easier to think positively about a situation than to think negatively
B.To emphasize the many mental and physical health benefits associated with positive self-talk
C.To characterize some types of positive self-talk as being the product of implausible platitudes
D.To illustrate how people can reframe pessimistic thoughts to make them more constructive

Answer 1

The author provided information to show individuals how to convert pessimistic thoughts into positive, constructive reflections, thereby promoting a growth mindset and reflective thinking. The correct answer is option D.

Step-by-step explanation:

The author included the information in the passage to illustrate how people can reframe pessimistic thoughts to be more constructive. The passage suggests that when faced with cognitive biases or negative self-talk, individuals can practice metacognition—thinking about one's own thinking—to shift their mindset and approach challenges with a sense of opportunity and positivity. This reframing is seen as an application of a growth mindset, a concept often discussed in the field of philosophy that enables individuals to become more reflective thinkers and potentially more successful learners and philosophers.