The skills of argument

Deanna Kuhn's 'The Skills of Argument' presents empirical studies on how children and adults generate, evaluate, and defend arguments on controversial social issues.

The book finds that many people lack skills to conceive alternative hypotheses or recognize disconfirming evidence, emphasizing metacognition's role in reasoning.

Kuhn argues that education should cultivate reflective thinking and practice in argumentation to foster democratic participation.

The work combines developmental psychology with educational implications, highlighting deficiencies and potential interventions.

It remains influential in research on argumentation, critical thinking, and classroom dialog.