Is your thinking process a part of the problem?

Why Critical ThinkingRichard Paul (2003)

Everyone thinks, it is our nature to do critical thinking. But much of our thinking, left to itself, is biased, distorted, partial, uninformed or prejudiced.

The quality of our work and personal lives depend precisely on the quality of our thought.

Shoddy thinking can be very costly, both in money, problem solving and in effective planning for organizations.

What is Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking is a complex combination of skills.

Among the main characteristics are:

Rationality

Self-awareness

Honesty

Open-mindedness

Discipline

JudgmentDan Kurland's Model (1995)

Rationality

We think critically when we:

rely on reason rather than emotion

require evidence, ignore non-factual opinions, and follow evidence where it leads

are concerned more with finding the best explanation than analyzing apparent confusion and only asking questions

Self-awareness

We think critically when we:

weigh the influences of motives and bias

recognize our own assumptions, prejudices, biases, and/or point of view

Honesty

We think critically when we:

recognize emotional impulses,

selfish motives,

nefarious purposes, or

other modes of self-deception.

Open-mindedness

We think critically when we:

evaluate all reasonable inferences

consider many possible viewpoints or perspectives

remain open to alternative interpretations

accept a new explanation, model, or paradigm because it explains the evidence better, is simpler, has fewer inconsistencies or covers more data

accept new priorities in response to a reevaluation of the evidence or reassessment of our real interests, and

do not reject unpopular views out of hand

Discipline

We think critically when we:

are precise, meticulous, comprehensive, and exhaustive

resist manipulation and irrational appeals

avoid quick judgments

Judgment

We think critically when we:

recognize the relevance and/or merit of alternative assumptions and perspectives

recognize the extent and weight of evidence

Summary of critical thinking

Critical thinkers:

are, by nature, skeptical approach texts with the same skepticism and suspicion as they approach spoken remarks are active, not passive ask questions and analyze apply tactics and strategies to uncover meaning or assure their understanding

Summary of non-critical thinking

Non-critical thinkers:see things in black and white, as either-or, rather than recognizing a variety of options

see questions as yes or no with no subtleties

fail to see linkages and complexities

fail to recognize related elements

take their facts as the only relevant ones

take their own perspective as the only sensible one

take their goal as the only valid one

Critical thinking enables us to:

recognize a wide range of subjective analyses of otherwise objective data

evaluate how well each analysis might meet our needs

Make decisions based on all options and all opportunities