...Critical Thinking William Higginbottom HUM/115 June 1, 2015 Heather Karberg Critical Thinking What is critical thinking? My favorite definition of critical thinking is, “the active and reflective mental process of questioning and evaluating information to draw sound conclusions” (Critical Thinking: It's How - Not What You Think, 2013). There are three categories of critical thinking. There’s beginning, average, and advanced critical thinkers. Beginner critical thinkers tend be lazy thinkers, they are not interested in changing or challenging the way they currently think, and are comfortable with not challenging the sources of their information, of those being, the people closets to them. Average critical thinkers are aware that there are biases that affect information and they are open to challenging their beliefs and thoughts. Average critical thinkers are sometimes aware that their efforts at questioning and evaluating information, are what inhibits them from being advanced critical thinkers. It’s the average critical thinker’s inconsistent efforts that prevent them from consistently drawing sound conclusions. Advanced critical thinkers are constantly aware of the biases in information and use this information to draw more sound conclusions. Advanced critical thinkers question the source and validity of all information and attempt to purge their own biases to increase their ability to make better decisions. I would say that based on the levels of critical...
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...A Stages of Critical Thinking Complete the matrix by identifying the six stages of critical thinking, describing how to move from each stage to the next, and listing obstacles you may face as you move to the next stage of critical thinking. Stages of Critical Thinking | How to Move to the Next Stage | Obstacles to Moving to the Next Stage | EXAMPLE:The Unreflective Thinker | Examine my thinking to identify problems that affect my thinking. | Deceiving myself about the effectiveness of my thinking | The Challenged Thinker | Becoming aware of my problems in my thinking | Egocentric defensiveness, intellectual arrogance, rationalization, and self-deception may lead the thinker to dismiss or avoid facing the challenge at this stage. | The Beginning Thinker | Try to improve but without regular practice | Egocentric defensiveness, intellectual, arrogance, rationalization, and self-deception may lead the thinker to dismiss or avoid facing the challenge at this stage. | The Practice Thinker | Recognize the necessity of regular practice | Egocentric defensiveness, intellectual arrogance, rationalization, and self-deception may lead the thinker to dismiss or avoid facing the challenge at this stage. | The Advance Thinker | We advance in accordance with our practice | Egocentric defensiveness, intellectual arrogance, rationalization, and self-deception may lead the thinker to dismiss or avoid facing the challenge at this stage. | The Master Thinker | Using the skills...
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...Critical Thinking Institution Date What is critical thinking? Critical thinking can be defined as a reflective thinking, which is designed to decide what to believe or what to actually do. In simpler terms, it can be said to be a way of deciding whether a claim at hand is true, somewhat true or false (Fisher, 2001). Critical thinking is an important asset when it comes to solving community problem and developing initiatives in human services. It involves being thrown in a questioning mode by an idea that variances with your understanding of the environment and makes you somehow uncomfortable. If in any case you respond to the discomfort, you will figure out where it came from and how to come in terms with the situation. You will also have a new perspective of the situation and will have a more critical understanding of your current situation. What are the three most significant things about critical thinking? The three most significant things about critical thinking are; it identifies bias, it brings out the whole picture and it’s oriented towards the issue being addressed. Identifying bias means looking at bias situation in the way it looks like and biases the person involved brings to it. Bringing the whole picture means getting more than just the delineate of what is being examined. Lastly, being oriented towards the issues being addressed means focusing on analyzing and understanding its object. It does away with...
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...University of Phoenix Critical Thinking: Strategies in Decision Making MGT/350 Critical Thinking Critical thinking is a way to process information that can be developed by people to gain a better sense of their own position in relation to their environment and the actions of those around them. It can be used to either clarify or cloud the information being processed depending on the level of development of the critical thinking skills. It can be said that everyone uses critical thinking but the degree which it is used will vary depending on the individual. A comparison between weak sense thinkers who do not have well developed critical thinking skills and fair minded thinkers that do illustrates this point. A weak sense thinker will ignore, rationalize, manipulate and sometimes lie to establish that their view is the correct one. This is because the individual does not utilize all of the tools to develop a more refined ability to process information and as a result they will not consider all of the viewpoints, questions and subsequent challenges that will arise. This is exemplified by radio talk show hosts who use rhetoric and in some cases insults and sheer volume to disparage and diminish their opponent’s views or politicians who will resort to cheating to win at any cost. These types of thinkers are also referred to as sophists. “Sophistry is the art of winning arguments regardless of whether there are problems in the thinking being used, regardless of whether relevant...
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...Stages of Critical Thinking HUM/111 7-7-13 Stages of Critical Thinking Critical thinking has always been part of my life. Ever since I could remember I have always been somewhat of an over thinker. I have always analyzed the consequences to most of my decisions. I have never been the type to say, “I am going for it no matter what happens.” I often found myself being asked for advice from most of my friend’s throughout school. I was what they would call the responsible one. If I had to identify the critical thinking stage I believe I am in I would have to say I am the beginning thinker. I do not want to consider myself too advance in my thinking because I still find problems in my critical thinking. The characteristics of a Beginner Thinker are where I consider myself to be now, “I can recognize mistakes in my thinking and recognize when I am being egocentric. I can also recognize egocentric in other and understand that the quality of my life is the quality of my thinking (Elder, 1996).” Critical thinking is described as, “self-guided, self-disciplined thinking that aims to take the reasoning we all do naturally to a higher level (Elder, 2009).” If I had to identify the critical thinking stage I believe I am in I would have to say I am the beginning thinker. I still find problems in my critical thinking. The characteristic of a Beginner Thinker is where I consider myself to be now, “I can recognize mistakes in my thinking and recognize when I am being egocentric. I...
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...The beginning critical thinker broken into four different levels. Levels 1 and 2 are individuals that are not aware that there are different levels of thinking. They cannot comprehend that there is a lot more to everyday thinking than they are aware of. Level 3 thinkers know that there are different steps in thinking but choose not to question their methods and just do the things they know. Level 4 thinkers acknowledge that critical thinking is important but are reluctant to the change the way they see and do things. They tend to follow the norms of family and friends without questioning their motives. The average critical thinker broken into two levels. Level 5 thinkers evaluate information to make sure it is correct but on occasions. They want to be critical thinkers, but they don’t have the motivation to do so all the time. The Level 6 thinkers are more careful when coming to an opinion make sure to take into account all parties information. They try to remain unbiased but cannot always stop the outside world’s impact of their thoughts. The last level of critical thinking is the Advanced Critical thinker. The Advanced Critical thinker is broken down into two levels as well. The Level 7 thinkers apply critical thinking skills every day and make fewer mistakes when making decisions. These thinkers question nearly everything and can often catch unsupported information given by other people. Level 8 thinker is a little harder to communicate with. They tend to believe anything...
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...Critical Thinking Listening to a seminar/webinar, having to change an organization’s policy, hiring new personnel – all require critical thinking. Just about everybody has used critical thinking in his or her decision making at one time; perhaps without realizing it. If managers do not use critical thinking, they could make a wrong decision and react without thinking. Knowing the difference between critical thinking and decision making is vital in making wise decisions. In this paper, I will explain how I perceive critical thinking, along with brief descriptions on the traits of a critical thinker. Definition “Critical thinking is the art of thinking about thinking while thinking in order to make thinking better.” Three interwoven phases are involved with critical thinking: 1. It analyzes thinking “by focusing on the parts of thinking in any situation—its purpose, question, information, inferences, assumptions, concepts, implications, and point of view.” 2. It evaluates thinking “by figuring out its strengths and weaknesses: the extent to which it is clear, accurate, precise, relevant, deep, broad, logical, significant, and fair.” 3. It improves thinking “by building on its strengths while reducing its weaknesses.” (Paul, Richard and Elder, Linda 2006) A critical thinker must be willing to take apart his or her idea. How does it stand up to facts? How will it be translated? Do others understand it effectively? Is it biased, prejudiced, partial, distorted...
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...Associate Level Material Appendix A Stages of Critical Thinking Complete the matrix by identifying the six stages of critical thinking, describing how to move from each stage to the next, and listing obstacles you may face as you move to the next stage of critical thinking. Stages of Critical Thinking How to Move to the Next Stage Obstacles to Moving to the Next Stage EXAMPLE: The Unreflective Thinker Examine my thinking to identify problems that affect my thinking. Deceiving myself about the effectiveness of my thinking The Unreflective Thinker I have to identify my think problems to overcome any obstacles in my thinking. Analyzing how effective my thinking is and not think everything is just fine. The Challenged Thinker I have to see my thinking problems and acknowledge them to move forward. I have to accept responsibility for my thinking by discovering my deficiencies in thinking. The Beginning Thinker I am recognizing more problems in my thinking and committing to finding these errors. Avoiding defensiveness, arrogance, and self deception will help to improve my thinking. The Practicing Thinker I have to utilize intellectual perseverance to overcome my thinking deficiencies. I have to analyze my thinking on a day to day basis to see how my thoughts are woven into my everyday life and how it affects me and others. My own arrogance may avoid me to rationally think and face my challenges. The Advanced Thinker I need to develop new habits of thought based...
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...Stages of Critical Thinking Part 1: Stages of Critical Thinking Complete the matrix by identifying the four beginning stages of critical thinking as detailed in Critical Thinking. Stages of critical thinking | Stage description | The Unreflective Thinker | The unreflective thinker stage is a crucial stage for a critical thinker. At this stage your critical thinking skills are very weak and unclear. You do not understand your thoughts and do not know how to process them. It highly known to make wrong decision and bad assumption at this stage. | The Challenged Thinker | The challenged thinker stage is a little bit better than being at the unreflective thinker stage. At this stage you can possibly point out issues or see a problem in a specific case but do not know where to start to star analyzing as well as solving the problem at hand. You possibly have problems making a good decision based on not knowing how think the issue through and make the right choice. | The Beginning Thinker | The beginning thinker is one who has discovered a way to use their skills for their own advantage. You have developed thinking habits that lead to a possibly right decision. You can challenge your thoughts as well as evaluate and reevaluate them at this stage. | The Practicing Thinker | The practicing thinker is one who has recognized all their strong points and is practicing good thinking habits to make them better. At this particular stage, your thoughts are clear and precise....
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...University of Phoenix Material Stages of Critical Thinking Part 1: Stages of Critical Thinking Complete the matrix by identifying the four beginning stages of critical thinking as detailed in Critical Thinking. |Stages of critical thinking |Stage description | |Unreflective Thinker |Have no useful concept of what thinking entails. They do not notice that they are | | |making assumptions, forming concepts, drawing conclusions. In this stage we do not | | |know how to analyze and assess our thinking. You cannot determine whether our purposes| | |are clearly formulated, assumptions justified and if our conclusions are logically | | |drawn. They are not aware of intellectual traits and do not embody them. In this stage| | |we lack intellectual traits but are unaware we lack them. We create and maintain | | |pleasant illusions. We make decisions, react to people, go out way in life and never | | |questions our thinking. We lack the skills and motivation to notice how self- centered| | |and prejudiced we are, how...
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...Associate Level Material Stages of Critical Thinking Stages of Critical Thinking Complete the matrix by identifying the six stages of critical thinking, describing how to move from each stage to the next, and listing obstacles you may face as you move to the next stage of critical thinking. |Stages of critical thinking |How to move to the next stage |Obstacles to moving to the next stage | |EXAMPLE: |Examine my thinking to identify problems |Deceiving myself about the effectiveness of| | |that affect my thinking. |my thinking | |The Unreflective Thinker | | | |, | | | |The Challenged Thinker |Determine the problems that I have in my |Thinking that there are no problems in my | | |own thinking |thinking | | |Take up new challenges and take control of |Not taking control and taking on new | |The Beginning Thinker |my thinking |challenges ...
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...How might Nietzsche be considered the ultimate critical thinker? In order to determine if Nietzsche could be considered the ultimate critical thinker, it might be necessary to ascertain whether or not critical thinking is a system that could be used as a framework with which to validate data against a set criteria. Proceeding upon the determination of whether or not critical thinking is a system of principles containing specific criteria, and perhaps defining its principles, it may be possible at that point to begin deducing the pertinent data in order to make a judgment of whether or not Nietzsche qualifies as meeting the criteria. The word critical is derived from the Greek term Kritikos which translates to - discernment or the ability to judge. Further, critical thinking is said to be analytical skills, effective communication, research and inquiry skills, flexibility and tolerance for ambiguity, and open-minded skepticism. I will posit that concerning the first three, hardly anyone will argue the fact that Nietzsche was very well adept at these. It seems as though the last skill is very important in the attempt to qualify Nietzsche as being the ultimate critical thinker. In consideration of Nietzsche following the principles of critical thinking, it could be argued that the skill of open-minded skepticism, or skepticism in particular and particularly in Nietzsche's case, might apply most accordingly with what Nietzsche was attempting to accomplish with his philosophies...
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...Critical Thinking Applications Michael E. Murphy University of Phoenix Online Critical Thinking: Strategies in Decisions Making MGT 350 Bridget Peaco July 12, 2010 Human beings tend toward selfish pursuits. People rarely act in a rational and an objective manner (Kurland, 2000). To set aside these traits, it takes an applied effort, which can lead to different options and intellectual improvement. Critical thinking can help people to take control of their own thinking. They learn to distinguish between what is opinion and factual reality. Simply put, the process of critical thinking helps a person to assess what others either write or speak, and ascertain the validity of his or her comments. Critical thinkers have certain attributes that permit them to observe conditions around themselves and then make educated choices that can solve either problems or dilemmas. Some of these attributes are: * asks pertinent questions * assesses statements and arguments * is able to admit a lack of understanding or information * has a sense of curiosity * is interested in finding new solutions * is able to clearly define a set of criteria for analyzing ideas * is willing to examine beliefs, assumptions, and opinions and weigh them against facts * listens carefully to others and is able to give feedback * sees that critical thinking is a lifelong process of self-assessment * suspends judgment until all facts have been gathered and considered ...
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...Determining My Levels of Critical Thinking Determine my level of critical thinking- I would have to say right now I am an average critical thinker level 5or6 right now. Beginning Critical Thinker- People who actively take up the challenge to begin to take command of their thinking. Beginning thinkers recognize that they have basic problems in their thinking and will make initial attempts to better understand how they can take charge of and improve their thinking. Beginning thinkers can begin to modify some thinking methods but have limited sight into deeper levels and they lack a systematic plan for improving their thinking. Average Critical Thinker- Is able to evaluate information for accuracy on occasion but they only do it when doing it requires no effort and they don’t have time to analyze data And they try to be careful before they formulate an opinion making sure they thoroughly consider all sides of a particular issue and they don’t always believe what they read but are better at finding out if the person is telling the truth or lying. Advanced Critical Thinker- This is a thinker that has established good habits of thought and can actively analyze their thinking in all sorts of domains of their lives but also has significant insight into problems at a deeper level than the other thinkers. Advanced thinkers are able to think well across important dimensions of their lives and they have good general command over their egocentric nature and must continue to strive to...
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...Critical Thinking Application Critical Thinking by some is thought to be as important as or more important than most material or physical items such as money, homes, or automobiles. So what is more important than critical thinking? Well, a couple of extreme examples to illuminate the point are food and water. They are without a doubt two of the most important items that our body requires for survival, and so it is with the application of critical thinking. In this paper I will discuss my understanding of critical thinking and relate it to a personal experience at work, showing its validity in the work environment. I will also explain its importance and benefits. Critical Thinking According to the National Counsel for Excellence in Critical Thinking Instruction, critical thinking is defined as “the mode of thinking about any subject, content, or problem in which the thinker improves his or her quality of thinking by skillfully taking charge of the structures inherent in thinking and imposing intellectual standards upon them.”( Scriven, M., & Paul, R.,1987). Critical thinking involves how one goes about gathering, evaluating, and choosing information and the best methods in solving situations or problems. Critical thinkers are rational and focus strictly to the facts in order to analyze the issues at hand. They are open-minded to all possible options, think outside the box for new ideas, and recognize any bias in his or her thinking and decision making. Thinking is a part...
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