- StudentInfo
- CRITICAL THINKING
5 ESSENTIAL CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS
Critical thinking is a habit of mind that helps you explore ideas. It is both an attitude and a set of skills. A critical thinking attitude includes keeping an open mind and a willingness to have any idea questioned. Critical thinking skills include being able to define the idea in front of you clearly, determine the quality of evidence supporting that idea, and understand its’ implications or consequence.
CRAFTING CRITICAL QUESTIONS Pose a precise question that you want to explore.
PERSPECTIVES Collect the perspectives on multiple sides of the idea. Be able to state them fairly such that the people holding them would accept your summary.
INFORMATION LITERACY Test the idea first by examining the evidence or information supporting it. To what degree is the evidence or information the result of a comprehensive, credible and objective process?
ANALYSIS, CONCLUSIONS AND CONSEQUENCES Examine the elements and the structure of the idea. What conclusions and consequences follow from the claims, arguments and elements? Which arguments are the strongest?
REFLECTIVE JOURNEY Be thoughtful about your own thinking. Fight your own biases that cause you to be quick to judge. Be open to new information that may challenge or change your own perspectives.
© The University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM 87131, (505) 277-0111 New Mexico's Flagship University
- UNM on Facebook
- UNM on Instagram
- UNM on Twitter
- UNM on YouTube
more at social.unm.edu
- Accessibility
- Contact UNM
- Consumer Information
- New Mexico Higher Education Dashboard
- The Open University
- Guest user / Sign out
- Study with The Open University
My OpenLearn Profile
Personalise your OpenLearn profile, save your favourite content and get recognition for your learning
About this free course
Become an ou student, download this course, share this free course.
Start this free course now. Just create an account and sign in. Enrol and complete the course for a free statement of participation or digital badge if available.
3 Fundamental aspects of critical thinking
Despite the differences emanating from these schools of thought, there is agreement on some fundamental facets of critical thinking, most of which recognise the various behaviours and/or dispositions that a critical thinker must possess.
- analysing arguments, claims or evidence
- judging or evaluating based on evidence
- making inferences using inductive or deductive reasoning
- making decisions and/or solving problems through reasoning.
Dispositions:
- open-mindedness
- searcher of truth
- inquisition
- fair and balanced view of one’s work and that of others.
Activity 3 Qualities and attributes associated with a ‘critical thinker’
Pause briefly here to reflect further on this.
What qualities or attributes come to mind when you consider someone to be a ‘critical thinker’?
Note down your thoughts; you may find it helpful to list these.
Here are a few thoughts. This is not meant to be the ‘definitive’ answer, but we want you to consider and reflect on some of these points. A critical thinker would typically avoid jumping to conclusions. They would seek to deepen their own understanding, analyse experience gained from different angles, look at the reasons for and consequences of their own actions, seek clarity and evidence to support their assumptions and beliefs, make use of theory, research and professional knowledge and the insights gained to make informed judgements, decisions and plans for the future.
Someone who is engaged in ‘critical thinking’ could be considered to be:
- self-aware (and emotionally aware)
- open to others’ ideas (does not automatically assume that own knowledge and experience is typical of others’)
- imaginative and showing curiosity
- enquiring (asks pertinent questions)
- empathetic (able to understand another’s point of view)
- able to accept praise and constructive criticism
- able to think ‘laterally’
- able to troubleshoot and solve problems (seeks new solutions)
- able to challenge their own assumptions, beliefs and opinions
- able to see things from different perspectives
- able to distinguish between facts and opinions
- able to evaluate statements and arguments.
How many of these matched your own thoughts? Were there other qualities that you noted?
Another aspect of critical thinking we haven’t mentioned yet is, of course, one’s knowledge of the subject matter. A well-informed researcher or practitioner is always in a good position to offer better insights on the subject matter from an informed position. Bailin et al. (1999), for example, posit that domain-specific knowledge is indispensable in academic critique because the kinds of analysis, evaluation and the use of evidence often vary from discipline to discipline. However, it is important to emphasise that critical thinking and analysis is not simply related to subject knowledge. At postgraduate level the expectations are much higher. You will be required to engage in greater depth with a range of literature, as well as methodologies and approaches used in a variety of research. Now, whilst expectation may vary across disciplines, the fundamentals remain the same.
Activity 4 Reflecting on your understanding and perceptions of critical thinking
Return to your notes from Activity 1 (in this session) and consider the following questions:
- To what extent do you think the activities you listed involved critical thinking and/or analysis?
- Has your perception of what constitutes critical thinking shifted in any way?
- If it has, can you explain why?
- If not, which ‘school of thought’ does your understanding align with, and why?
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
It makes you a well-rounded individual, one who has looked at all of their options and possible solutions before making a choice. According to the University of the People in California, having critical thinking skills is important because they are [ 1 ]: Universal. Crucial for the economy. Essential for improving language and presentation skills.
A set of information and beliefs, generating and processing skills, and the habit of using those skills to guide behavior. Critical thinkers: Ask questions. Gather relevant information. Think through solutions and conclusions. Consider alternative systems of thought. Communicate effectively. They're willing to admit when they're wrong or ...
Critical thinking is, in short, self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It presupposes assent to rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem solving abilities and a commitment to overcome our native egocentrism and sociocentrism.
Skill 5: Effective Communication. Effective communication is integral to critical thinking. It involves articulating thoughts and arguments clearly, coherently, and logically. This skill is essential not just in presenting one's own ideas but also in understanding and evaluating the arguments of others.
In the book, Critical Thinking, Beyer elaborately explains what he sees as essential aspects of critical thinking. These are: Dispositions: Critical thinkers are skeptical, open-minded, value fair-mindedness, respect evidence and reasoning, respect clarity and precision, look at different points of view, and will change positions when reason ...
This involves thinking out-of-the-box and coming up with innovative solutions. Core Skills: Key skills for critical and creative thinking include analysis, brainstorming, lateral thinking, interpretation, and problem-solving. Students need to approach problems with curiosity, risk-taking, and structured reasoning.
Get to the core of critical thinking. Critical thinking is essential for success in every aspect of life, from personal relationships to professional careers. By developing your critical thinking skills, you can challenge the status quo and gain a new perspective on the world around you. You can start improving your critical thinking skills ...
Top 5 critical thinking skills. Here are five common and impactful critical thinking skills you might consider highlighting on your resume or in an interview: 1. Observation. Observational skills are the starting point for critical thinking. People who are observant can quickly sense and identify a new problem.
A Brief Definition: Critical thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it. A well-cultivated critical thinker: communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems. Critical thinking is, in short, self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking.
The Paul-Elder framework has three components: According to Paul and Elder (1997), there are two essential dimensions of thinking that students need to master in order to learn how to upgrade their thinking. They need to be able to identify the "parts" of their thinking, and they need to be able to assess their use of these parts of thinking.
A critical thinking attitude includes keeping an open mind and a willingness to have any idea questioned. Critical thinking skills include being able to define the idea in front of you clearly, determine the quality of evidence supporting that idea, and understand its' implications or consequence. Pose a precise question that you want to explore.
They carefully weigh the strengths of conflicting views and apply logical reasoning. Critical thinkers are, at once, open to the views of others and supremely independent in their judgments. If ...
Another aspect of critical thinking we haven't mentioned yet is, of course, one's knowledge of the subject matter. A well-informed researcher or practitioner is always in a good position to offer better insights on the subject matter from an informed position. Bailin et al. (1999), for example, posit that domain-specific knowledge is ...
Critical thinking skills examples. There are six main skills you can develop to successfully analyze facts and situations and come up with logical conclusions: 1. Analytical thinking. Being able to properly analyze information is the most important aspect of critical thinking. This implies gathering information and interpreting it, but also ...
Embracing these foundational elements can empower individuals to develop the skills necessary to think critically and effectively in various aspects of life. Critical Thinking in Cultural and Social Context Race and Gender Perspectives. Critical thinking is a universal skill that transcends cultural and social boundaries.
Critical thinking helps us analyze and evaluate information before communicating, ensuring that our messages are clear, logical, and based on evidence. Critical thinking is an essential skill that plays a significant role in our everyday lives. It involves analyzing and evaluating information, making logical connections, and solving problems.
Perspective-taking is essential to critical thinking. In fact, I maintain that critical thinking is best construed as a dynamic process between arousing and resolving states of doubt. ... and each response requires instructors to focus on different aspects of critical thinking. First, students can experience a sudden transformation as a result ...
Critical thinking, as described by Oxford Languages, is the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgement. Active and skillful approach, evaluation, assessment, synthesis, and/or evaluation of information obtained from, or made by, observation, knowledge, reflection, acumen or conversation, as a guide to belief and action, requires the critical thinking process ...
Essential Elements of Lessons Designed to Promote Critical Thinking Article Sidebar. PDF Published: Feb 25, 2012 Keywords: Main Article Content. Jim Broadbear. Downloads Download data is not yet available. Article Details. How to Cite Broadbear, J. (2012). Essential Elements of Lessons Designed to Promote Critical Thinking.
Critical thinking is applied by nurses in the process of solving problems of patients and decision-making process with creativity to enhance the effect. It is an essential process for a safe, efficient and skillful nursing intervention. Critical thinking according to Scriven and Paul is the mental active process and subtle perception, analysis ...
Critical Thinking is defined as: the ability and willingness to assess claims and make objective judgments on the basis of well supported reasons and evidence rather that emotion and anecdotes. All of the following are essential elements of critical thinking EXCEPT: All opinions are valid.
1. Main Aspects of Critical Thinking Critical thinking is a reason oriented and perceptive thinking process characterized by open mindedness and strong justifiable arguments. In addition, critical thinking also respects other people's opinions. Critical thinking involves rational and insightful thinking centered or based on making a decision on what to believe or act on.
About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright ...