When we left our recent discussion on the topic of critical thinking, we were ready to consider some of the skills needed to be good critical thinkers. To refresh our memories, we want to engage in critical thinking because it provides a way to process detailed or sophisticated information by considering various perspectives on any given issue, with the goal of producing accurate conclusions. Critical thinking involves examining assumptions rather than simply accepting arguments and conclusions at face value. Critical thinking enables us to evaluate evidence and assess multiple conclusions or outcomes.
Let’s take a look at just a few of the needed skills that make for better critical thinking:
Observation – Thinking well begins with careful observation. Watching, listening, learning – even uses our natural senses at times – allows us to obtain the information we need to think accurately. If you aren’t naturally an observant person, this is a skill that you actually can develop…with a little effort, that is.
Analysis – Once the observation process allows us to gather information, analysis is useful for organizing and then breaking down the situation we are examining into smaller, individual parts. This has the effect of reducing complexity for each of the parts, typically leading to greater understanding. Analysis also allows us to look for connections between different ideas or elements of the situation we are examining.
Evaluation – The process of critical evaluation involves testing our initial analysis for possible flaws or weaknesses in our thinking by trying to find all the ways in which it might be false. If we discover possible errors in our analysis or assessment, then we may choose to start again with our observation and analysis.
Decision Making – A significant goal of critical thinking, ultimately, is to support our decision making. Who really wants to make poor decisions?! Decision making enables us to take action based on how we have been informed by the critical thinking process. Arriving at logical conclusions, solving problems, analyzing information, and then initiating proper actions based on our conclusions, taken collectively, are called decision-making.
Now, it’s time for a Critical Thinking quiz. Are you ready? Review the situation in the first paragraph, but don’t peek below that until you have thought critically about your answer:
A friend tells you someone stashed $500 in a novel in the neighborhood library. The friend doesn’t know the title of the novel but goes on to say that the money is between pages 201 and 202 of the unnamed novel. With this information, do you ransack the library looking for the right novel and the money? Why or why not?
So, what did you decide? Here is the conclusion to which a well thought out process should have led you:
Save yourself a lot of time by just laughing off your friend’s report. Don’t bother looking for the novel. Every professionally made book numbers its pages by using odd numerals on right-hand pages and even numerals on left-hand pages. No one could have put anything between 201 (a right-hand page) and 202 (a left-hand page)!
Activity provided by: https://guides.rasmussen.edu/criticalthinking/step6 (2019)