...CRTW 201 KSPD The Stages of Development in Critical Thinking These stages in the intellectual development of the critical thinker are paraphrased from the article “Critical Thinking Development: A Stage Theory” by Linda Paul and Richard Elder, available at www.criticalthinking.org. Stage One: The Unreflective Thinker Defining Features: These thinkers are basically unaware of the role of thinking in their lives and of potential problems with their own reasoning – they lack the ability to be metacognitive. They do not identify concepts or assumptions behind ideas, and they rarely assess the logic of their opinions or conclusions. They may have developed some skills in thinking (compare and contrast, analyze, conclude, etc.), but these skills are inconsistently applied and these thinkers tend to retain biases and prejudices. Though these thinkers may be highly educated, they tend to be unable to “fix” problems in thinking or adopt new strategies to solve problems. Stage Two: The Challenged Thinker Defining Features: These thinkers have become aware of the role thinking plays in their lives. They have begun to understand that problems in thinking and logic can cause significant trouble for them, and they recognize that productive thinking requires effort and deliberate attention. They have an understanding of the basic elements of reasoning (concepts, assumptions, questions at issue, purpose, point of view, information, implications and consequences...
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...CRTW 201 Hiner The Stages of Development in Critical Thinking These stages in the intellectual development of the critical thinker are paraphrased from the article “Critical Thinking Development: A Stage Theory” by Linda Paul and Richard Elder, available at www.criticalthinking.org. Stage One: The Unreflective Thinker Defining Features: These thinkers are basically unaware of the role of thinking in their lives and of potential problems with their own reasoning – they lack the ability to be metacognitive. They do not identify concepts or assumptions behind ideas, and they rarely assess the logic of their opinions or conclusions. They may have developed some skills in thinking (compare and contrast, analyze, conclude, etc.), but these skills are inconsistently applied and these thinkers tend to retain biases and prejudices. Though these thinkers may be highly educated, they tend to be unable to “fix” problems in thinking or adopt new strategies to solve problems. Stage Two: The Challenged Thinker Defining Features: These thinkers have become aware of the role thinking plays in their lives. They have begun to understand that problems in thinking and logic can cause significant trouble for them, and they recognize that productive thinking requires effort and deliberate attention. They have an understanding of the basic elements of reasoning (concepts, assumptions, questions at issue, purpose, point of view, information, implications and consequences...
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...LIMITED DOWNLOAD COPY The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking C onCepts and t ools By Dr. Richard Paul and Dr. Linda Elder The Foundation for Critical Thinking www.criticalthinking.org 707-878-9100 cct@criticalthinking.org LIMITED DOWNLOAD COPY Why A Critical Thinking Mini-Guide? This miniature guide focuses on of the essence of critical thinking concepts and tools distilled into pocket size. For faculty it provides a shared concept of critical thinking. For students it is a critical thinking supplement to any textbook for any course. Faculty can use it to design instruction, assignments, and tests in any subject. Students can use it to improve their learning in any content area. Its generic skills apply to all subjects. For example, critical thinkers are clear as to the purpose at hand and the question at issue. They question information, conclusions, and points of view. They strive to be clear, accurate, precise, and relevant. They seek to think beneath the surface, to be logical, and fair. They apply these skills to their reading and writing as well as to their speaking and listening. They apply them in history, science, math, philosophy, and the arts; in professional and personal life. When this guide is used as a supplement to the textbook in multiple courses, students begin to perceive the usefulness of critical thinking in every domain of learning. And if their instructors provide examples of the application of the subject to daily life, students...
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...Reading 1.3-1: What is critical thinking? 1 Reading 1.3-1: What is critical thinking? The world of accounting has changed dramatically over the past 50 years. In 1965, the key skills expected of a new CGA could best be described as ―technical‖ — the application of accounting, auditing, and other related skills to the recording of transactions and the generation of financial statements. However, by the mid-1990s, the notion of competency-based assessment had replaced this older model of skills assessment. The development of a competency map identifying key skills required for the accounting profession indicated that a key skill is the ability to think critically. Simply put, critical thinking is a type of thinking that questions assumptions. The Critical Thinking Community at http://www.criticalthinking.org/ provides the following definition: Critical thinking is self-guided, self-disciplined thinking which attempts to reason at the highest level of quality in a fair-minded way. Critical thinking can be applied to any course in the CGA Program of Professional Studies. It entails the examination of those structures or elements of thought implicit in all reasoning, which consists of Purpose, problem, or question at issue Assumptions Concepts Empirical grounding Reasoning leading to conclusions Implications and consequences Objections from alternative viewpoints Frame of reference ―Critical,‖ as used in the term ―critical thinking,‖ relates to the importance...
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...Analytical Questions using Elements of Reasoning Introduction to Critical Thinking What do we do to think critically? What is critical thinking? 3 Key Questions Why do we need critical thinking? The Three Dimensions of Critical Thinking Reasoning: three aspects Traits of the Disciplined Mind Reasoning The process of drawing conclusions or figuring something out Elements of Reasoning Standards for Reasoning The quality of our thinking is largely reflected in the quality of our questions. Circle – Dots Critical thinking is the way you do everything you do Instruction Content LOGIC OF Student Thinking StandardsElementsTraits In other words, what elements must you account for in order for the analysis to be substantive? What is involved in analyzing reasoning? (Story, argument, point of view, subject) ● Look at the cartoon and analyze it by asking questions. 1. Individually, write a series of questions that attempt to probe the meaning of the cartoon. 2. With a group, compare your questions with others. Add to your list. Analyzing a Cartoon We use data, facts, and experiences to make inferences and judgments based on concepts and theories based on assumptions within a point of view leading to implications and conse quences. in attempting to We think answer a for a question. purpose Whenever we think Elements wheel ,aking for t granted ...
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...The Critical Thought Process Critical thinking is the ability for an individual to be exposed to a subject, and be able to objectively form a rational conclusion about the subject. Learning the elements of thought and using a checklist for reasoning allows an enlightened critical thinker to gather the information needed to form a well-balanced conclusion on the subject matter. This is important because the thinker must gather facts, concepts, points of view and etc.; and to look at a situation from all sides and form an unbiased opinion about the issue. By raising in-depth questions, we are able to gather the necessary information to form well-thought out solutions and opinions to the problems and issues presented. By employing these methods of Critical thinking, we are able to develop into more advanced thinkers, who are able to analyze and deduce more thoughtful conclusions. Art is a great example of where critical thinking can be employed. By using the elements involved in critical thinking we are able experience art without bias. We are able to gather the information at hand and infer what message the artist is trying to convey. We must challenge ourselves to experience it from all aspects, and form an unbiased conclusion. We can also use the ideas associated with critical thinking in daily life. These ideas can and should be used in the workplace, education, and social life. Whenever I am presented with a new issue, I try look at it through critical thought...
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...Applying Critical Thinking Critical thinking is an important way of thinking in a business setting. This type of thinking involves decision-making and thinking of all elements of a specific decision. When all of the elements of the decision are explored, and different alternatives are presented, the individual or group involved in the decision the best possible alternative is chosen (Natale & Ricci, 2006). The health insurance field uses critical thinking in all aspects of business decisions. Critical thinking includes understanding the concept of using critical thought and knowing the direction that thought is going to take the group or individual (Natale & Ricci, 2006). Thinking happens every second of every day, the best type of thinkers are the thinkers who think about what an individual is thinking (Paul & Elder, 2006). These thinkers think about what their thinking and may ponder on what one is thinking and then these thinkers act upon that thought (Paul & Elder, 2006). The best thinkers use critical thought in the workplace and create many solutions to different issues or problems within an organization. In organizations, it is important for an organization to develop employee’s critical thinking skills. Employees who think about what the individual is thinking and come up with the best alternative solutions can hold a competitive advantage over competitors (mindtools.com, 2010). Blue Shield of California (BSC) is a leading health insurance company in the state of California...
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...Applying the 8 Elements of Thought In the WMD Report 1 Applying the 8 Elements of Thought In the WMD Report HLS-355 October 20, 2012 Applying the 8 Elements of Thought In the WMD Report 2 There are eight elements of thought that are used when analyzing a document. These “Eight basic structures are present in all thinking: Whenever we think, we think for a purpose within a point of view based on assumptions leading to implications and consequences. We use concepts, ideas and theories to interpret data, facts, and experiences in order to answer questions, solve problems, and resolve issues (Criticalthinking.org)”. The eight elements of thought are think about the purpose, state the question, gather information, watch your inferences, check your assumptions, clarify your concepts, understand your point of view, and think through the implications. These eight elements of thought come from Dr. Linda Elder and Dr. Richard Paul. We will use Dr. Elder’s and Dr. Paul’s eight elements of thought to analyze and discuss about The Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction. This is also known as the overview of the WMD Report. The main purpose of this report is to determine and expose the lack of critical thinking that was used by each of the intelligence agencies that assumed that Iraq’s leader, Saddam Hussein, had reconstituted his nuclear weapons program, had biological weapons, had mobile biological weapon production...
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...PSY/450 – Introduction to Cross-Cultural Psychology Paper Aspectsof Culture in PsychologyCultural context is a major element in understanding human behavior and psychology. Berger (2011) explains, “Culture affects every action—indeed, every thought” (p. 13). The culture that an individual lives in along with the similarities and differences between cultures provide vital information in understanding psychological processes. Cultural Psychology Cultural context is not separable from the person; it is a vital part of individual psychopathology. Shiraev and Levy (2010) explain that cultural psychology studies the individual within a specific culture. The cultural psychologist seeks out meaningful links between a specific culture and the individual in that culture. The cultural psychologist examines the individual in a cultural norm. Cultural Influences on the Individual According to Shiraev and Levy (2010), “Before reaching adulthood, most of us do not choose a place to live or a language to speak” (p. 2). These cultural elements influence many aspects of human developmental processes. From the moment of birth, cultural elements play an important role in human development, development of personality, and individual psychological aspects. It is impossible to separate human behavior from cultural experiences because cultural exposure forms individual value systems,belief systems, and knowledge bases for each individual within any specific culture. The goal of cultural...
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...W2 Assignment "Eight Elements of Thought and Reasoning" The established elements of thought, as well as, reasoning are purpose, key question, information, assumptions, implications and consequences, point of view and, interpretations and conclusions. The aforementioned eight elements can be re-organized into four unique categories putting the identical ones in pairs. In that regard, the four categories will be purpose will be paired with key question. The reasoning of pairing them as such is because in the event of making an attempt to resolve a certain question, we have to think for a definite purpose. The original characteristic of the element of purpose is having the objective to accomplish something, which can be solving a key question. The point of view is paired with assumptions. This is due to the fact that a point of view can be based on assumptions. In some cases some point of views turn as things which are taken for granted (Elder et.al 2007). In addition, the concept element of thought can be paired with interpretations and theories. This is due to the fact that most of our interpretations and theories are simply based on various concepts. Originally, concepts refer to the ideas, principles, laws, or hypothesis which are utilized in thinking on how to make things sensible. In that regard, in the process of making things sensible we end up making interpretations on top of formulating theories. The final category will involve the pairing of information and implications...
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...purpose of art is to express the human creative skill and imagination. By using paints and sculptures, art excites emotions to both the artist and the audience. Art is influenced by thoughts which arise from the environment the artist is exposed to. This therefore implies that all artists have different artistic skills and creations (artscouncil.org). It is for this reason that art is said to be diverse. When diversity is embraced, the quality and quantity of art increases as audience can enjoy a wider variety of artistic creations. Paul-Elder model of critical thinking seeks to develop intellectual traits that require consistent use of the elements of thoughts and reasoning held to specified intellectual standards (google.com). Appreciating diversity requires adoption of the Paul-Elder model of critical thinking. One should seek to develop a trait; an open mind that appreciates diversity. This will be achieved by applying elements of thoughts and reasoning that are held to a specific standard. Appreciating that all reasoning has a purpose will ensure that one devotes time, the right state of mind and chooses significant and realistic purposes (Frank 2013). One also needs to appreciate that reasoning has implications and consequences (Paul & Elder 1997). Remember that art is greatly influenced by the thoughts and ideas in the mind of the artist. For audiences to experience the intended message through a work of art, they must trace the reasoning of the artist (criticalthinking.org)...
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...Critical Thinking Application Paper Critical thinking techniques are required when contemplating making important decision using sound judgments from fact based information, point of view, and beliefs. These decisions using critical thinking on important issues will affect one’s work life, friendships, relationships, family, and a whole array of other important issues not only on specific issues, but also in life in general as well. The quality level of these different aspects of one’s life can be enhanced through critical thinking. People use critical thinking to analyze their thoughts and ideas, which are generated by his or her own mind. One needs to determine how these thoughts and ideas are formed and how he or she can change them based on other sound ideas and viewpoints and reasoning. Critical thinking is one’s way of thinking how they are thinking while thinking of ways to improve on his or her thinking (Paul & Elder, 2006). Critical Thinking allows one to become better decision makers and to communicate with others with a higher level of confidence. Essential Traits of Critical Thinking Several essential traits or characteristics of critical thinking for a disciplined mind are required to enhance the thinking process. These traits and characteristics are interrelated with each other and create intellectual habits, which helps the mind to focus and become more disciplined to become a better critical thinker (Paul & Elder, 2006). The intellectual traits and characteristics...
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..."Invest a few moments in thinking. It will pay good interest." - Author Unknown Critical Thinking is the process of thinking about one's thinking, a conscious evaluation of one's thoughts. Critical thinking can be understood as a way of becoming aware of and taking control of one's own thinking processes in order to think more effectively. It is consciously directing one's thinking to make it more rational, clear, accurate, and consistent. Critical thinking helps us ask relevant questions, weigh evidence offered in support of arguments, interpret complex problems, and make wise decisions. This is especially important when you realize that many problems do not lend themselves to clear-cut solutions. The desire to have easy answers is understandable, but can also be dangerous. Excessive simplification of complex problems often leads to simple "solutions" that can make matters worse. Life's problems seldom present themselves as neat packages that can be isolated and systematically solved through a series of action steps. For example, suppose you are deciding whether to change jobs. You may be able to determine how much you like or don't like your job, how well you do it and whether adequate advancement opportunities exist. But even if you have other offers and know what the new jobs would be like, a job change will affect other things in your life. It is rarely as simple as replacing one job with another. Will you have to relocate, sell a house, disrupt the lives of children,...
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...Thinking & Decision Making Paper Tommie Carter, Theresa Gately, George Miladinovic and Sharon Romine MGT/350 December 17, 2012 Lisa Stewart Thinking & Decision Making Paper In everyday life, all individuals are thinking. To be a critical thinker, an individual must be in control of their thinking. Critical thinking is when an individual improves their mode of thinking by analyzing, assessing and reconstruction of their thoughts. It gives individuals the ability to build upon their knowledge, opinions, and ideas. Critical thinking lets individuals take information and make informed decisions without being influenced by their own opinions. It causes you to raise questions and problems, and then, solve them clearly and precisely. Critical thinkers research and re-evaluate their solutions to find the one that will be the best fit. There are many different types of thinking. Each type affects the process of critical thinking differently. This paper will discuss the thinking types of creative, inductive and emotional. It will also explore in depth the similarities and differences of these types of thinking and how each type affects the critical thinking process. Creative thinking is defined as taking the elements presented during a problem while planning, and utilizing them to the best of your ability. Creativity is bringing in something which did not exist before. Creative thinking is using your thoughts to change the way that someone else looks at something...
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...by Ruth Fishel caries wait because most everything in today’s society came to be off of nothing more than thought. For example, Henry Ford was no one special, just a man from Michigan with a vision of creating affordable automobiles for Americans ("Who Made America | Innovators | Henry Ford" n.p.). Despite what some people thought at this time, he succeeded in his dream and Ford is now one of the most well known automobile companies in the united states, he made is thought into reality. However, is envisioning and critical thinking considered to be the same thing? To answer this question one first needs to define what critical thinking really is; one needs to recognize how it can be used, and understand why is it important for people to obtain critical thinking skills?...
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