...Thinking is a natural human function. That being said, much of our thinking is bias, distorted, uninformed and judgmental. The human mind was not designed for independent thinking (). In order to move toward quality thinking, our minds must be painstakingly trained to think rationally and independently. The cultivation of the human mind into independent thinkers is what will determine the quality of life one will lead. In addition, the knowledge one produces by becoming an independent thinker will not only benefit the individual but society as a whole. This all begins with the concept of critical thinking. So, what is critical thinking? The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking defines critical thinking as “the intellectually...
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...Throughout the semester, I have explored various concepts revolving around critical thinking. By exploring concepts like symbolism, bundled lore, evidence based knowledge, and hyperreality, I have learned that the majority of information that the average American believes to be true is based off of illiterate knowledge rather than literate knowledge, but more importantly, when critically thinking it is not the result that is most important, but rather how you get there. Critical thinking involves gaining background knowledge on a subject, taking multiple factors into consideration, searching for credible sources, and using these techniques to form an idea or opinion based off of it. It is easy to form and share an idea or opinion based on...
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...Abstract Critical thinking skills is determined by many factors, especially the structure of one's thinking. The structure of thinking will be expressed through language, both verbal and written. Critical thinking also berambivalensi with the level of literacy a person either orally or in writing. Literacy ability is what will determine whether students are suceptive to the issues around them. Critical thinking skills are absolutely required by students and scholars, because at every opportunity they will decide the issues, both related to the field of scientific and social issues. According to Paul (2011), critical thinking comes from two Latin root word in the language of "kriticos" which means an intelligent assessment (discerning judgment) and "criterion" means a standard. Critical word is also marked by careful analysis to achieve an objective assessment of things. Thus, critical thinking means thinking to make judgments, opinions and objective evaluation using a standardized evaluation of the right to determine the good, the benefits and value of something (Emilia, 2007). Conception of critical thinking can be viewed from two ways, namely the general conception and conception of the specific subject. General conception viewed as a set of skills and dispositions that can be generalized and can be applied in various situations and conditions and various domains of knowledge. Meanwhile, the specific subject conceptions regard as a specific form of thinking in terms...
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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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...Critical Thinking Application MGT350 - Critical Thinking: Strategies in Decision Making January 9, 2011 Dave Ball Abstract Critical thinking is an important part of everyday life. Many decision models have been created to support critical thinking. Those models are based on three core elements, framing or identifying the problem, gathering and qualifying supporting information to support a decision, and evaluating the decision. By applying these critical thinking techniques the benefits of critical thinking can be realized. This paper will briefly discuss critical thinking, its importance and benefits, and present the reader with a real-world example of critical thinking. Critical Thinking Application Critical thinking is defined by Paul and Elder (2006) as “thinking explicitly aimed at well-founded judgment, utilizing appropriate evaluative standards in an attempt to determine the true worth, merit, or value of something” (Section Introduction, p. xxiv). Critical thinking assists a decision maker to make the right decision based on the information available. Decisions are an everyday part of life. Some believe that an average person could make as many as 40,000 decisions in an average day. Whereas not all of these decisions require critical thinking skills, many decisions that directly affect those around us should apply critical thinking techniques to ensure an informed decision is reached. The University of Phoenix decision model is a set of techniques...
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...Critical Thinking Application Paper Juan Vigil MGT/350 May 19, 2011 Robert Sell Critical Thinking Application Paper The world in which we as Americans live in is changing rapidly from social, economic, political, and even technological advancements. More than ever, we are face with new approaches to deal with these changes and to operate a business. This requires thinking critically and making wise decisions. “Thinking is the activity of the brain that can potentially be communicated” (Kirby & Goodpaster, 2007, p. 6). As organizations and businesses strive for success, one will be part of these changes that will result in positive or negative outcomes for the business. In order for a business to be successful, one should sharpen its ability to think critically and make good decisions. The concept of using critical thinking is not easy; however within this paper critical thinking will be defined, along with a real work- related example of critical thinking, and the importance of critical thinking in the decision making process. Critical thinking occurs to everyone on day-to-day basis to once a day to frequent times a day. Critical thinking is important to our lives because it enables us to make the best choice from a certain circumstance. Critical thinking not only is an important part of our personal lives, but as well as for our professional lives. The ability to think critically will have a positive impact to one’s organization in terms of profitability...
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...Critical Thinking Application Paper Brandi Rhodes February 28, 2011 MGT / 350 Ernest Pressburger Critical Thinking Application Paper In this cutthroat economy we live in it is vital to understand the basics behind the importance of a good critical thinker both personally and professionally. As the business markets constantly change the economy continues to place increasing demands on familiarizing skills possessed by valuable critical thinkers on their staff and in their everyday lives. To have such skills is extremely important in promoting effective critical thinking. Not only does critical thinking provide individuals with the etiquette to become a good decision-maker, it allows individuals to analyze specific situations and provide step-by-step answers to the problems at hand. At some point, we as humans will engage in some aspects of critical thinking to a degree. Nevertheless, life occurrences will influence these abilities, yet certain expertise, approach and environments can develop and enhance our abilities to think decisively and critically. In this paper, I will describe critical thinking and its importance as well as elaborate on my own personal work-related experience in applying critical thinking. Primarily, how we tackle new information, concepts, problems, and demands is considered the basis of valuable critical thinking. It is defined as “the mental process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating...
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...Critical Thinking in Decision Making Debra Rodriguez MGT 350 August 6, 2012 Karen Allen Critical thinking is a mode of thinking where one improves his or her quality by applying intellectual skills to elements of decisions to make solid decisions to develop intellectual traits. It is important to enhance ones critical thinking skills to improve decision-making capabilties in life and create new opportunities. Critical thinking is the ability of evaluating and assessing thoughts with the aim of making them better by reasoning to discern their validity and truth. This is achieved by the use of critical thinking skills that include analyzing, reasoning, evaluating decision-making and problem-solving (Wood, 2002). Concerning how humans think, two main activities are involved and include: gathering information from the environment around us and drawing conclusions from the data collected. It is during drawing of conclusions that critical thinkers are separated from noncritical thinkers, as noncritical thinkers collect information from their surrounding and draw conclusions without logical evaluations of the same. On the other hand, critical thinkers collect information, evaluate it, draw conclusions using logic and evaluate the logical conclusion. Elements of reasoning seek to break down the problem at hand into articulate components used to find accurate solutions, which include assessment of clarity, accuracy, relevance, logicalness, breadth, precision, significance, fairness...
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...Abstract This paper will provide a brief description of what critical thinking is; also explains the importance of using critical thinking. Further in the reading there will be an example of critical thinking applied within the home environment which is followed by a strategic plan and the steps will be provided to show the improvement, and finally the importance and benefits of critical thinking in the decision-making processes closing with the conclusion. What is critical thinking and why is important Critical thinking has many definitions from many different perspectives yet the simple definition can be define as the ability to think clearly and rationally. “Includes the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking” (Lau &Chan, 2004). Possessing the ability to think rationally not necessarily requires being a top student or a person who can retain plenty of information. The process the involves critical thinking is just having the ability to deduce consequences from what one knows, and figure the way to make use of the correct information to solve problems, and seek for the most relevant source of information most convenient to use. • Using critical thinking as a skill can be very efficient within the workforce environment because the person can stretch his or her mind to the maximum and be distinguish as a problem resolver. Some abilities that come as recompense of using critical thinking according to Lau and Chan are: • understand the logical connections...
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...Critical Thinking Application Paper Augie Ruyle MGT/350 Critical Thinking: Strategies in Decision Making Matthew Swanson University of Phoenix June 6, 2011 This Critical Thinking Application Paper that you are about to read will include a few descriptions of critical thinking, along with a few of the importance and benefits of critical thinking in the decision-making processes, and examples of a personal experience in applying critical thinking to a work related decision. Thank you and enjoy the reading. From the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal, is a well known psychological test of critical thinking ability. The authors of this test define critical thinking as: …a composite of attitudes, knowledge, and skills. This composite includes: (1). attitudes of inquiry that involves an ability to recognize the existence of problems and an acceptance of the general need for evidence in support of what is asserted to be true; (2). Knowledge of the nature of valid inferences, abstractions, and generalizations in which the weight or accuracy of different kinds of evidence are logically determined; and (3). Skills in employing and applying the above attitudes and knowledge. Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally. It includes the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking. Someone with critical thinking skills will be able to: understand the logical connection between ideas, identify, construct and evaluate arguments, detect...
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...The purpose of this paper is to define the meaning of critical thinking. The paper will also include the importance and benefits of one’s critical thinking ability. It will describe a complete and well detailed experience that benefited from critical thinking and its result. The conclusion describes the behavior of a critical thinker and the importance of it. What is Critical Thinking? Critical thinking is a crucial instrument to good decision-making. Individuals have biases or prejudices which can obstruct good decision making. Critical thinking may vary depending on the original motivation. When decisions are based on egocentric intentions; they are often distinct by manipulation of ideas to service one's own interest. To be an effective critical thinker one has to have the capacity to look at the facts and make a decision based exclusively on the facts. Critical thinking is important it is a domain-general thinking skill. Without the ability to think through problems, gather information and apply logic, individuals would be on the same intellectual level as animals. Individuals would react based on emotion and need. Individuals would not think about the implications of our actions. Critical thinking is not a matter of accumulating information. Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally. It includes the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking. Critical thinking is that mode of thinking about any subject, content, or problem in which that...
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...Essays are an essential element of learning, particularly at an undergraduate level. With a well-written essay comes the power to change minds, to influence thinking and create new perspectives. When evaluating the claims presented by a source in an academic essay, a critical and reflective thinker does not simply accept arguments as ‘fact’. Nor do they create arguments based on innuendo and bias. This essay will contend that for students at university level to be taken seriously they must use critical and reflective thinking to write an effective academic essay. The following points will be addressed; what constitutes a credible essay, what is critical thinking and reflective practice, what is the importance of these skills in developing arguments, the benefits of thinking critically and reflectively, the use of critical reflective thinking in evaluating sources and the importance of recognizing those sources correctly for the work to be considered credible. So what constitutes a credible essay? The purpose of the essay is to forward knowledge, to tackle an already existing argument and build on it using sound evidence and research. “Essays are a document of your learning; they show proof of your understanding of the topic and your ability to communicate that understanding convincingly” (Germov 2011, 2). An essay must put forth an argument then break it down to prove or disprove the thesis. The statement needs to be dissected and the main points need to be analysed. What...
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...Individuals find the need to make decisions in every aspect of their lives. When individuals use critical thinking to make a decision, the result is usually a success. This essay will provide a better understanding of critical thinking. It will describe critical thinking and share how it relates to decision-making in a work-related application. I will share a personal experience of when I applied critical thinking to a work-related decision. The essay will further discuss the importance and benefits of critical thinking in the decision-making process. Critical Thinking and Decision Making in a Work-Related Application When making work-related decisions, critical thinking is an important aspect. Critical thinking is identifying and evaluation evidence to assist in decision making (“What Is Critical Thinking”, 2011). Decision making is the thought process used when making a logical decision using the options available (BusinessDictionary.com”, 2011). When reviewing the definitions of critical thinking and decision making, one will find that individuals who make decisions must use critical thinking to determine the best solution for their problem. For example, if an individual at work has to make a decision, he or she will use critical thinking to determine what is best for the organization. If not, he or she may make a decision that harms the organization. Without using critical thinking, an individual may miss a detail of a solution; therefore, he or she may overlook the possible...
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...Critical Thinking Application Paper Critical thinking is method that helps people guide their behaviors and improve the quality of thinking. Many terminologies can define such complex yet logical process, creating unique characteristics, and meanings. According to Michael and Richard (summer 1987), Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, and evaluating information gathered from experience, observation, reasoning, reflection, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. Such process becomes accustom to everyday life and applies itself in every decision one makes. The process of critical thinking helps people benefits and take advances to improve not only mentally but also logically, when people apply these circumstances in an everyday lives. Looking into the basic characteristics of critical thinking, one cannot overlook its importance and what it brings to everyday activity. Functioning, evaluating, creating or even thinking has become a second nature to us. According to Paul and Elder (2001), critical thinking is that mode of thinking, which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully taking charge of the structures inherent in thinking and imposing intellectual standards upon them. Observing the importance of our logical steps naturally occurs in our minds core process. Keeping our mind constantly advancing separates humans from all other living...
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...Critical Thinking Application Paper Whatever we are doing right now is decided by the way we are thinking. Whatever we feel (emotions) are decided by what we are thinking. Whatever we want (desires) are decided by our thinking. For many people who think unrealistic the ending results could end up in disappoint for them. There are countless routes to express the ideas of critical thinking, at the same time as there are numerous ways to express the definition of any abounding and substantive idea. Yet, as with any idea, there is a core to critical thinking that cannot be ignored. Intellectual origins of critical thinking are as early as its study, visible eventually, to the philosophical procedure and foresight of Socrates 2,500 years ago who exposed by a method of questioning the idea that people could not reasonably justify their confident claims to knowledge. Paul R., Elder L. & Bartell T (1997) Petress describes the importance of critical thinking, declaring that”…critical thinking examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence and assesses conclusions.” ([5] Petress, 1984). [6] Critical thinking enables individuals with the ability to comprehend what they have been shown or read, as well to develop that insight without increased guidance. Understanding critical thinking enables individuals with knowledge that is smooth and constructed upon itself. Critical thinking is not simply routine learning or the skill to soak up information. The importance...
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