PHIL110 Critical Thinking – SPS CUNY
Unit 6 Discussion Assignment
Analogical Reasoning
The Miller Analogies Test (MAT) is a high-level mental ability test that requires the use of
analogies -- that is, comparing two otherwise unlike things based on resemblance of a particular
aspect to solve problems. It’s designed to reflect analytical and critical thinking skills that are
crucial for success in professional life. It is administered by Pearson and independent
esearchers have shown positive co
elations between MAT scores and subsequent success in
graduate programs and beyond.
As you see in the MAT Study Guide (page 3-7), there are four
oad categories of relationships
in the analogies: semantic, classification, association and logical/mathematical. Review the
examples
iefly and refer to it as much as you need in completing this assignment.
For this discussion assignment (don’t wo
y, I’m not asking you to take the MAT test!), you will
create two (2) analogies. Your analogies could be about "Popular Culture" (sports, music,
movies, arts, etc.) or about "Cu
ent Events" (that might be
eaking news, politics, economics,
usiness, or policy). It’s your choice!
Step 1. You’ll post one (1) analogy on the discussion forum with a
ief explanation for it.
Step 2. Then, you will read and respond to another student by making a variation of he
his
analogy, using terms and relationships of your own.
Here's an example.
For my original analogy on Popular Culture, I would post:
• Sally Ride is the Wonder Woman of NASA.
My explanation would be something like this: In this analogy by association, two terms (Sally
Ride and Wonder Woman) are related by the third (implicit) characteristic of both (strong female
epresentation in a field generally not populated by women). Sally Ride was a successful female
astronaut at NASA, the first American woman in space; and Wonder Woman is strong lead
Superhero and one of the founding members of the Justice League by DC Comics.
My reconstruction of this analogy (using the MAT system) would be:
Sally Ride : NASA astronauts :: Wonder Woman : Justice League superheroes
https:
www.pearsonassessments.com/postsecondaryeducation/graduate_admissions/mat.html
https:
images.pearsonassessments.com/Images/dotCom/milleranalogies/pdfs/TheMATStudyGuide.pdf
https:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sally_Ride
https:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonder_Woman
PHIL110 Critical Thinking – SPS CUNY
If I were responding to this analogy as a fellow student, I would say something like this:
• Sally Ride is the Melinda Gates of Sally Ride Science.
Explanation: My analogy is still using Sally Ride as one of its terms, but now as the co-founder
of a non-profit organization, called Sally Ride Science, which promotes learning. Melinda Gates
is also a co-founder of a non-profit that aims (among other things) to enhance educational
opportunities.
My reconstruction of this analogy using the MAT system would be:
Sally Ride : Sally Ride Science :: Melinda Gates : Gates Foundation.
Ready to give it a try?
Recommendations for Success and Grading Criteria:
• Respond to the assignment with clear and detailed answers.
• Follow all assignment prompts and answer all prompt questions.
• Incorporate relevant examples and evidence to support your claims.
• Compose your response in clear and grammatically co
ect English and post it on time.
• Respond to at least two students with substantive comments and follow-up questions.
• Acknowledge all students who comment on your post.