{"id":421,"date":"2016-02-19T00:36:33","date_gmt":"2016-02-19T00:36:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/lumencollegesuccess\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=421"},"modified":"2016-10-12T22:45:31","modified_gmt":"2016-10-12T22:45:31","slug":"critical-thinking-skills","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/nvrcte-sandbox-collegesuccess\/chapter\/critical-thinking-skills\/","title":{"raw":"Critical Thinking Skills","rendered":"Critical Thinking Skills"},"content":{"raw":"<a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/02\/19001618\/4910867563_a1ffd0b738_z.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-422\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-422\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/02\/19001618\/4910867563_a1ffd0b738_z.jpg\" alt=\"Three students leaning over a sheet of butcher block paper, with markers in their hands\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" \/><\/a>\r\n<blockquote>The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks. \u2014Christopher Hitchens, author\u00a0and\u00a0journalist<\/blockquote>\r\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\r\n<h3>Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\nBy the end of this section, you will be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Define critical thinking<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Describe\u00a0the role that logic plays in critical thinking<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Describe\u00a0how\u00a0critical thinking skills can be used to problem-solve<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Describe\u00a0how\u00a0critical thinking skills can be used to evaluate information<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identify strategies for developing yourself as a critical thinker<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h2>Critical Thinking<\/h2>\r\nThinking comes naturally. You don\u2019t have to make it happen\u2014it just does. But you can make it happen in different ways. For example, you can think positively or\u00a0negatively. You can think with \"heart\" and you can think with rational judgment. You can also think strategically and analytically, and mathematically and scientifically. These are a few of multiple ways in which the mind can process thought.\r\n\r\nWhat are some forms of thinking you use? When do you use them, and why?\r\n\r\nAs a college student, you are tasked with engaging and expanding your thinking skills. One of the most important of these skills is\u00a0critical thinking. Critical thinking is important because it relates to nearly all tasks, situations, topics, careers, environments, challenges, and opportunities. It's a \u201cdomain-general\u201d thinking skill\u2014not a thinking skill that's reserved for a one\u00a0subject alone or restricted to a particular subject area.\r\n\r\nGreat leaders have highly attuned critical thinking skills, and you can, too. In fact, you probably have a lot of these skills already. Of all your thinking skills, critical thinking\u00a0may have the greatest value.\r\n<h3>What Is Critical Thinking?<\/h3>\r\n<strong>Critical thinking<\/strong> is clear, reasonable, reflective thinking focused on deciding what to believe or do. It means\u00a0asking probing questions like, \"How do we know?\"\u00a0or\u00a0\"Is this true in every case or just in this instance?\" It involves being skeptical and challenging assumptions, rather than simply memorizing facts or blindly accepting what you hear or read.\r\n\r\nImagine, for example, that you're reading a history textbook. You wonder who wrote it and why, because you detect certain\u00a0biases in the writing. You find that the author has a limited scope of research focused only on a particular group within a population. In this case, your critical thinking reveals\u00a0that there are \u201cother sides to the story.\u201d\r\n\r\nWho are critical thinkers, and what characteristics do they have in common? Critical thinkers are usually\u00a0curious and reflective people. They like to explore and probe new areas and seek knowledge, clarification, and new solutions. They ask pertinent questions, evaluate statements and arguments, and they distinguish between facts and opinion. They are also willing to examine their own beliefs, possessing a manner of humility that allows them to admit lack of knowledge or understanding when needed. They are open to changing their mind. Perhaps most of all, they actively enjoy learning, and seeking new knowledge is a lifelong pursuit.\r\n\r\nThis may well be you!\r\n\r\nNo matter where you are on the road to being a critical thinker, you can always more fully develop and finely tune your skills. Doing so will help you develop more balanced arguments, express yourself clearly, read critically, and glean important information efficiently. Critical thinking skills will help you in any profession or any circumstance of life, from science to art to business to teaching. With critical thinking, you become a clearer thinker and problem solver.\r\n<div>\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Critical Thinking IS<\/th>\r\n<th>Critical Thinking is NOT<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Skepticism<\/td>\r\n<td>Memorizing<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Examining assumptions<\/td>\r\n<td>Group thinking<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Challenging reasoning<\/td>\r\n<td>Blind acceptance of authority<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Uncovering biases<\/td>\r\n<td><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\nThe following video, from Lawrence Bland, presents the major concepts and benefits of critical thinking.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WiSklIGUblo\r\n<div class=\"textbox exercises\">\r\n<h3>Activity: Self-Assess Your Critical Thinking Strategies<\/h3>\r\n<h4>Objectives<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Assess your basic understanding of the skills involved in\u00a0critical thinking.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h4>Directions<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quia.com\/quiz\/4219905.html?AP_rand=114196423\" target=\"_blank\">Quia Critical Thinking Quiz<\/a> page and click on Start Now (you don't need to enter your name). Select the\u00a0best answer for each question, and then click on Submit Answers. A score of 70 percent or better on this quiz is considering passing.<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Based on the content of the questions, do you feel you use good critical thinking strategies in college? In what ways might you improve as a critical thinker?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h2>Critical Thinking and Logic<\/h2>\r\nCritical thinking is fundamentally a process of questioning information and data. You may question the information you read in a textbook, or you may question what a politician or a professor or a classmate says. You can also question a commonly-held belief or a new idea. With critical thinking, anything and everything is subject to question and examination for the purpose of logically constructing reasoned perspectives.\r\n<h3>What Is Logic, and Why Is It Important in Critical Thinking?<\/h3>\r\nThe word <em>logic<\/em> comes from the Ancient Greek <em>logike<\/em>, referring to the science or art of reasoning. Using\u00a0logic, a person evaluates arguments and reasoning and strives to distinguish between good and bad reasoning, or between truth and falsehood. Using\u00a0logic, you can evaluate ideas or claims people make, make good decisions, and form sound beliefs about the world.[footnote]\"logike.\" Wordnik. n.d. Web. 16 Feb 2016.[\/footnote]\r\n<h3>Questions of Logic in Critical Thinking<\/h3>\r\nLet\u2019s use a simple example of applying logic to a critical-thinking situation. In this hypothetical scenario, a man has a PhD in political science, and he works as a professor at a local college. His wife works at the college, too. They have three young children in the local school system, and their family is well known in the community. The man is now running for political office. Are his credentials and experience sufficient for entering public office? Will he be effective in the political office? Some voters might believe that his personal life and current job, on the surface, suggest he will do well in the position, and they will vote for him. In truth, the characteristics described don't guarantee that\u00a0the man will do a good job. The information is\u00a0somewhat irrelevant. What else might you want to know? How about whether the man had already held a political office and done a good job? In this case, we want to\u00a0ask, How much information is adequate in order to make\u00a0a decision based on logic instead of\u00a0assumptions?\r\n\r\nThe following questions, presented\u00a0in Figure 1, below, are ones you may apply to formulating a logical, reasoned perspective in the above scenario or any other situation:\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>What's happening?<\/em> Gather the basic information and begin to think of questions.<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Why is it important?<\/em> Ask yourself why it's significant and whether or not you agree.<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>What don't I see?<\/em> Is there anything important missing?<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>How do I know?<\/em> Ask yourself where the information came from and how it was constructed.<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Who is saying it?<\/em> What's the position of the speaker and what is influencing them?<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>What else?<\/em> <em>What if?<\/em> What other ideas exist and are there other possibilities?<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_426\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"600\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/02\/19004252\/Critical_Thinking_Infographic-e1345139343418.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-426\"><img class=\"wp-image-426\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/02\/19004252\/Critical_Thinking_Infographic-e1345139343418.jpg\" alt=\"Infographic titled &quot;Questions a Critical Thinker Asks.&quot; From the top, text reads: What's Happening? Gather the basic information and begin to think of questions (image of two stick figures talking to each other). Why is it Important? Ask yourself why it's significant and whether or not you agree. (Image of bearded stick figure sitting on a rock.) What Don't I See? Is there anything important missing? (Image of stick figure wearing a blindfold, whistling, walking away from a sign labeled Answers.) How Do I Know? Ask yourself where the information came from and how it was constructed. (Image of stick figure in a lab coat, glasses, holding a beaker.) Who is Saying It? What's the position of the speaker and what is influencing them? (Image of stick figure reading a newspaper.) What Else? What If? What other ideas exist and are there other possibilities? (Stick figure version of Albert Einstein with a thought bubble saying &quot;If only time were relative...&quot;.\" width=\"600\" height=\"1199\" \/><\/a> Figure 1[\/caption]\r\n<h2>Problem-Solving with Critical Thinking<\/h2>\r\nFor most people, a typical day is filled with critical thinking and problem-solving challenges. In fact, critical thinking and problem-solving go hand-in-hand. They both refer to using knowledge, facts, and data to solve problems effectively. But with problem-solving, you are specifically identifying, selecting, and defending your solution. Below\u00a0are some examples of using critical thinking to problem-solve:\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Your roommate was upset and said some unkind words to you, which put a crimp in the relationship. You try to see through the angry behaviors to determine how you might best support the roommate and help bring the relationship back to a comfortable spot.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Your campus club has been languishing on account of\u00a0lack of participation and funds. The new club president, though, is a marketing major and has identified some strategies to interest students in joining and supporting the club. Implementation is forthcoming.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Your final art class project challenges you to conceptualize form in new ways. On the last day of class when students present their projects, you describe the techniques you used to fulfill the assignment. You explain why and how you selected that approach.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Your math teacher sees that the class is not quite grasping a concept. She uses clever questioning to dispel anxiety and guide you to new understanding of the concept.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>You have a job interview for a position that you feel you are only partially qualified for, although you really want the job and you are excited about the prospects. You analyze how you will explain your skills and experiences in a way to show that you are a good match for the prospective employer.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>You are doing well in college, and most of your college and living expenses are covered. But there are some gaps between what you want and what you feel you can afford. You analyze your income, savings, and budget to better calculate what you will need to stay in college and maintain your desired\u00a0level of spending.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Problem-Solving Activity<\/h3>\r\nNow let's practice problem solving by working through the following activity.\r\n\r\n<center><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.oppia.org\/explore\/M4fUuWRy79Zn?iframed=true\" width=\"700\" height=\"900\"><\/iframe><\/center><a href=\"problem-solving-text-version\/\" target=\"_blank\">Click here for a text-only version of the activity.<\/a>\r\n<h3>Problem-Solving Action Checklist<\/h3>\r\nProblem-solving can be an efficient and rewarding\u00a0process, especially if you are organized and mindful of critical steps and strategies. Remember, too, to assume the attributes of a good critical thinker. If you are curious, reflective, knowledge-seeking, open to change, probing, organized, and ethical, your challenge or problem will be less of a hurdle, and you'll be in a good position to find intelligent solutions.\r\n<div>\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th><\/th>\r\n<th>STRATEGIES<\/th>\r\n<th>ACTION CHECKLIST[footnote]\"Student Success-Thinking Critically In Class and Online.\"\u00a0<em>Critical Thinking Gateway<\/em>. St Petersburg College, n.d. Web. 16 Feb 2016.[\/footnote]<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>1<\/td>\r\n<td>Define the problem<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Identify the problem<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Provide as many supporting details as possible<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Provide examples<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Organize the information logically<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>2<\/td>\r\n<td>Identify available solutions<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Use logic to identify your most important goals<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Identify implications and consequences<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Identify facts<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Compare and contrast possible solutions<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>3<\/td>\r\n<td>Select your solution<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Use gathered facts and relevant evidence<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Support and defend solutions considered valid<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Defend your solution<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h2>Evaluating Information with Critical Thinking<\/h2>\r\nEvaluating information can be one of the most complex tasks you will be faced with in college. But if you utilize\u00a0the following four strategies, you will be well on your way to success:\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read for understanding by using text coding<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Examine arguments<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clarify thinking<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cultivate \u201chabits of mind\u201d<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<h3>Read for Understanding Using Text Coding<\/h3>\r\nWhen you read and take notes, use the <a href=\"http:\/\/toolsfordifferentiation.pbworks.com\/w\/page\/22360123\/Text%20Coding\">text coding strategy<\/a>. Text coding is a way of\u00a0tracking your thinking while reading. It entails marking the text and recording what you are thinking either in the margins or perhaps on Post-it notes. As you make connections and ask questions in response to what you read,\u00a0\u00a0you monitor your comprehension and enhance your long-term understanding of the material.\r\n\r\nWith text coding, mark important arguments and key facts. Indicate where you agree and disagree or have further questions. You don\u2019t necessarily need to read every word, but make sure you understand the concepts or the intentions behind what is written. Feel free to develop your own shorthand style when reading or taking notes. The following are a few options to consider using while coding text.\r\n<div>\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Shorthand<\/th>\r\n<th>Meaning<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>!<\/td>\r\n<td>Important<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>L<\/td>\r\n<td>Learned something new<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>!<\/td>\r\n<td>Big idea surfaced<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>*<\/td>\r\n<td>Interesting or important fact<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>?<\/td>\r\n<td>Dig deeper<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\u2713<\/td>\r\n<td>Agree<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\u2260<\/td>\r\n<td>Disagree<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\nSee more text coding from <a href=\"http:\/\/toolsfordifferentiation.pbworks.com\/w\/page\/22360123\/Text%20Coding\" target=\"_blank\">PBWorks<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/ctlonline.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Collaborative for Teaching and Learning<\/a>.\r\n<h3>Examine Arguments<\/h3>\r\nWhen you examine arguments or claims that an author, speaker, or other source is making, your goal is to identify and examine the hard facts. You can use the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=9G5xooMN2_c\" target=\"_blank\">spectrum of authority strategy<\/a> for this purpose. The spectrum of authority strategy assists you in identifying the \"hot\" end of an argument\u2014feelings, beliefs, cultural influences, and societal influences\u2014and the \"cold\" end of an argument\u2014scientific influences. The following video explains this strategy.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/9G5xooMN2_c\r\n<h3>Clarify Thinking<\/h3>\r\nWhen you use critical thinking to evaluate information, you need to clarify your thinking to yourself and likely to others. Doing this well\u00a0is mainly a process of asking and answering probing questions, such as\u00a0the logic questions discussed earlier. Design your questions to fit your needs, but be sure to cover adequate\u00a0ground. What is the purpose? What question are we trying to answer? What point of view is being expressed? What assumptions are we or others making? What are the facts and data we know, and how do we know them? What are the concepts we\u2019re working with? What are the conclusions, and do they make sense? What are the implications?\r\n<h3>Cultivate \u201cHabits of Mind\u201d<\/h3>\r\n\u201cHabits of mind\u201d are the personal commitments, values, and standards you have about the principle of good thinking. Consider your intellectual commitments, values, and standards. Do you approach problems with an open mind, a respect for truth, and an inquiring attitude? Some good habits to have when thinking critically are being receptive to having your opinions changed, having respect for others, being independent and not accepting something is true until you've had the time to examine the available evidence, being fair-minded, having respect for a reason, having an inquiring mind, not making assumptions, and always, especially, questioning your own conclusions\u2014in other words, developing an intellectual work ethic. Try to work these qualities into your daily life.\r\n<h2>Developing Yourself As a Critical Thinker<\/h2>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/02\/20002423\/4051616855_dff482928a_z.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-498\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-498\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/02\/20002423\/4051616855_dff482928a_z.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of a group of students standing around a poster on the wall, where they're adding post-it notes with handwriting on them\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" \/><\/a>\r\n<blockquote>Critical thinking is a desire to seek, patience to doubt, fondness to meditate, slowness to assert, readiness to consider, carefulness to dispose and set in order; and hatred for every kind of imposture. \u2014Francis Bacon, philosopher<\/blockquote>\r\nCritical thinking is a fundamental skill for college students, but it should also be a lifelong pursuit. Below\u00a0are additional strategies to develop yourself as a critical thinker in college and in everyday life:\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Reflect and practice<\/strong>: Always reflect on what you've learned. Is it true all the time? How did you arrive at your conclusions?<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Use wasted time<\/strong>: It's certainly important to make time for relaxing, but if you find you are indulging in\u00a0too much of a good thing, think about using your time more constructively. Determine when you do your best thinking and try to learn something new during that part of the day.<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Redefine the way you see things<\/strong>: It can be very uninteresting to always think the same way.\u00a0Challenge yourself to see familiar things in new ways. Put yourself in someone else's shoes and consider things from a different angle or perspective.\u00a0\u00a0If you're trying to solve a problem, list all your concerns: what you need in order to solve it, who can help, what some possible barriers might be, etc. It's often possible to\u00a0reframe a\u00a0problem as an opportunity. Try to find a solution where there seems to be none.<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Analyze the influences on your thinking and in your life<\/strong>: Why do you think or feel the way you do? Analyze your influences. Think about who in your life influences you. Do you feel or react a certain way because of social convention, or because you believe it is what is expected of you? Try to break out of any molds that may be constricting you.<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Express yourself<\/strong>: Critical thinking also involves being able to express yourself clearly. Most important in expressing yourself clearly is stating one point at a time. You might be inclined to argue every thought, but you might have greater impact if you focus just on your main arguments. This will help\u00a0others to follow your thinking clearly. For more abstract ideas, assume that your audience may not understand. Provide examples, analogies, or metaphors where you can.<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Enhance your wellness<\/strong>: It\u2019s easier to think critically when you take care of your mental and physical health. <strong>Try taking 10-minute<a href=\"http:\/\/www.students.ubc.ca\/livewelllearnwell\/learn-about-wellness\/sleep-nutrition-exercise\/physical-activity\/\" target=\"_blank\"> activity breaks<\/a> to reach 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity each day<\/strong>. Try taking a break between classes and walk to the coffee shop that\u2019s farthest away. Scheduling physical activity into your day can help lower stress and increase mental alertness. Also, <strong>do your most difficult work when you have the most energy<\/strong>. Think about the time of day you are most effective and have the most energy. Plan to do your most difficult work during these times. And be sure to <strong>reach out for help<\/strong>. If you feel you need assistance with your mental or physical health, talk to a counselor or visit a doctor.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<div class=\"textbox exercises\">\r\n<h3>Activity: Reflect on Critical Thinking<\/h3>\r\n<h4>Objective<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apply critical thinking strategies to your life<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h4>Directions:<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think about someone you consider to be a critical thinker (friend, professor, historical figure, etc). What qualities does he\/she have?<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review some of the critical thinking strategies discussed on this page. Pick one strategy that makes sense to you. How can you apply this critical thinking technique to your academic work?<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Habits of mind are attitudes and beliefs that influence how you approach the world (i.e., inquiring attitude, open mind, respect for truth, etc). What is one habit of mind you would like to actively develop over the next year? How will you develop a daily practice to cultivate this habit?<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Write your responses in journal form, and submit according to your instructor\u2019s guidelines.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h2>Summary<\/h2>\r\nThe following text is an excerpt from an essay by Dr. Andrew Robert Baker, \"Thinking Critically and Creatively.\" In these paragraphs, Dr. Baker underscores the importance of critical thinking\u2014the imperative of critical thinking, really\u2014to improving\u00a0as students, teachers, and researchers. The follow-up portion\u00a0of this essay appears in the Creative Thinking section\u00a0of this course.\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<h3>Thinking Critically and Creatively<\/h3>\r\nCritical thinking skills are perhaps the most fundamental skills involved in making judgments and solving problems. You use them every day, and you can continue improving them.\r\n\r\nThe ability to think critically about a matter\u2014to analyze a question, situation, or problem down to its most basic parts\u2014is what helps us evaluate the accuracy and truthfulness of statements, claims, and information we read and hear. It is the sharp knife that, when honed, separates fact from fiction, honesty from lies, and the accurate from the misleading. We all use this skill to one degree or another almost every day. For example, we use critical thinking every day as we consider the latest consumer products and why one particular product is the best among its peers. Is it a quality product because a celebrity endorses it? Because a lot of other people may have used it? Because it is made by one company versus another? Or perhaps because it is made in one country or another? These are questions representative of critical thinking.\r\n\r\nThe academic setting demands more of us in terms of critical thinking than everyday life. It demands that we evaluate information and analyze myriad issues. It is the environment where our critical thinking skills can be the difference between success and failure. In this environment we must consider information in an analytical, critical manner. We must ask questions\u2014What is the source of this information? Is this source an expert one and what makes it so? Are there multiple perspectives to consider on an issue? Do multiple sources agree or disagree on an issue? Does quality research substantiate information or opinion? Do I have any personal biases that may affect my consideration of this information?\r\n\r\nIt is only through purposeful, frequent, intentional questioning such as this that we can sharpen our critical thinking skills and improve as students, learners and researchers.\r\n\r\n\u2014Dr. Andrew Robert Baker,<em>\u00a0Foundations of Academic Success: Words of Wisdom<\/em>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h2>Resources for Critical Thinking<\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.criticalthinking.org\/pages\/glossary-of-critical-thinking-terms\/496\" target=\"_blank\">Glossary of Critical Thinking Terms<\/a><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/critical-thinking.wikidot.com\/self-assessment\" target=\"_blank\">Critical Thinking Self-Assessment<\/a><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jeopardylabs.com\/play\/logical-fallacies16?utm_source=cheetah&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=2014.04.28%20Faculty%20Focus%20Update\" target=\"_blank\">Logical Fallacies Jeopardy Template<\/a><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/fallaciesfiles.weebly.com\/?utm_source=cheetah&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=2014.04.28%20Faculty%20Focus%20Update\" target=\"_blank\">Fallacies Files\u2014Home<\/a><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/learningcommons.ubc.ca\/student-toolkits-2\/thinking-critically\/\" target=\"_blank\">Thinking Critically | Learning Commons<\/a><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.criticalthinking.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Foundation for Critical Thinking<\/a><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.criticalthinking.org\/ctmodel\/logic-model1.htm\" target=\"_blank\">To Analyze Thinking We Must Identify and Question Its Elemental Structures<\/a><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.criticalthinking.org\/pages\/critical-thinking-in-everyday-life-9-strategies\/512\" target=\"_blank\">Critical Thinking in Everyday Life<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nhttps:\/\/assessments.lumenlearning.com\/assessments\/866","rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/02\/19001618\/4910867563_a1ffd0b738_z.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-422\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-422\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/02\/19001618\/4910867563_a1ffd0b738_z.jpg\" alt=\"Three students leaning over a sheet of butcher block paper, with markers in their hands\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks. \u2014Christopher Hitchens, author\u00a0and\u00a0journalist<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>Learning Objectives<\/h3>\n<p>By the end of this section, you will be able to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Define critical thinking<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Describe\u00a0the role that logic plays in critical thinking<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Describe\u00a0how\u00a0critical thinking skills can be used to problem-solve<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Describe\u00a0how\u00a0critical thinking skills can be used to evaluate information<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identify strategies for developing yourself as a critical thinker<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Critical Thinking<\/h2>\n<p>Thinking comes naturally. You don\u2019t have to make it happen\u2014it just does. But you can make it happen in different ways. For example, you can think positively or\u00a0negatively. You can think with &#8220;heart&#8221; and you can think with rational judgment. You can also think strategically and analytically, and mathematically and scientifically. These are a few of multiple ways in which the mind can process thought.<\/p>\n<p>What are some forms of thinking you use? When do you use them, and why?<\/p>\n<p>As a college student, you are tasked with engaging and expanding your thinking skills. One of the most important of these skills is\u00a0critical thinking. Critical thinking is important because it relates to nearly all tasks, situations, topics, careers, environments, challenges, and opportunities. It&#8217;s a \u201cdomain-general\u201d thinking skill\u2014not a thinking skill that&#8217;s reserved for a one\u00a0subject alone or restricted to a particular subject area.<\/p>\n<p>Great leaders have highly attuned critical thinking skills, and you can, too. In fact, you probably have a lot of these skills already. Of all your thinking skills, critical thinking\u00a0may have the greatest value.<\/p>\n<h3>What Is Critical Thinking?<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Critical thinking<\/strong> is clear, reasonable, reflective thinking focused on deciding what to believe or do. It means\u00a0asking probing questions like, &#8220;How do we know?&#8221;\u00a0or\u00a0&#8220;Is this true in every case or just in this instance?&#8221; It involves being skeptical and challenging assumptions, rather than simply memorizing facts or blindly accepting what you hear or read.<\/p>\n<p>Imagine, for example, that you&#8217;re reading a history textbook. You wonder who wrote it and why, because you detect certain\u00a0biases in the writing. You find that the author has a limited scope of research focused only on a particular group within a population. In this case, your critical thinking reveals\u00a0that there are \u201cother sides to the story.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Who are critical thinkers, and what characteristics do they have in common? Critical thinkers are usually\u00a0curious and reflective people. They like to explore and probe new areas and seek knowledge, clarification, and new solutions. They ask pertinent questions, evaluate statements and arguments, and they distinguish between facts and opinion. They are also willing to examine their own beliefs, possessing a manner of humility that allows them to admit lack of knowledge or understanding when needed. They are open to changing their mind. Perhaps most of all, they actively enjoy learning, and seeking new knowledge is a lifelong pursuit.<\/p>\n<p>This may well be you!<\/p>\n<p>No matter where you are on the road to being a critical thinker, you can always more fully develop and finely tune your skills. Doing so will help you develop more balanced arguments, express yourself clearly, read critically, and glean important information efficiently. Critical thinking skills will help you in any profession or any circumstance of life, from science to art to business to teaching. With critical thinking, you become a clearer thinker and problem solver.<\/p>\n<div>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Critical Thinking IS<\/th>\n<th>Critical Thinking is NOT<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Skepticism<\/td>\n<td>Memorizing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Examining assumptions<\/td>\n<td>Group thinking<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Challenging reasoning<\/td>\n<td>Blind acceptance of authority<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Uncovering biases<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p>The following video, from Lawrence Bland, presents the major concepts and benefits of critical thinking.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"oembed-1\" title=\"Critical Thinking.wmv\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WiSklIGUblo?feature=oembed&#38;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox exercises\">\n<h3>Activity: Self-Assess Your Critical Thinking Strategies<\/h3>\n<h4>Objectives<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Assess your basic understanding of the skills involved in\u00a0critical thinking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Directions<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quia.com\/quiz\/4219905.html?AP_rand=114196423\" target=\"_blank\">Quia Critical Thinking Quiz<\/a> page and click on Start Now (you don&#8217;t need to enter your name). Select the\u00a0best answer for each question, and then click on Submit Answers. A score of 70 percent or better on this quiz is considering passing.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Based on the content of the questions, do you feel you use good critical thinking strategies in college? In what ways might you improve as a critical thinker?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Critical Thinking and Logic<\/h2>\n<p>Critical thinking is fundamentally a process of questioning information and data. You may question the information you read in a textbook, or you may question what a politician or a professor or a classmate says. You can also question a commonly-held belief or a new idea. With critical thinking, anything and everything is subject to question and examination for the purpose of logically constructing reasoned perspectives.<\/p>\n<h3>What Is Logic, and Why Is It Important in Critical Thinking?<\/h3>\n<p>The word <em>logic<\/em> comes from the Ancient Greek <em>logike<\/em>, referring to the science or art of reasoning. Using\u00a0logic, a person evaluates arguments and reasoning and strives to distinguish between good and bad reasoning, or between truth and falsehood. Using\u00a0logic, you can evaluate ideas or claims people make, make good decisions, and form sound beliefs about the world.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"&quot;logike.&quot; Wordnik. n.d. Web. 16 Feb 2016.\" id=\"return-footnote-421-1\" href=\"#footnote-421-1\" aria-label=\"Footnote 1\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[1]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Questions of Logic in Critical Thinking<\/h3>\n<p>Let\u2019s use a simple example of applying logic to a critical-thinking situation. In this hypothetical scenario, a man has a PhD in political science, and he works as a professor at a local college. His wife works at the college, too. They have three young children in the local school system, and their family is well known in the community. The man is now running for political office. Are his credentials and experience sufficient for entering public office? Will he be effective in the political office? Some voters might believe that his personal life and current job, on the surface, suggest he will do well in the position, and they will vote for him. In truth, the characteristics described don&#8217;t guarantee that\u00a0the man will do a good job. The information is\u00a0somewhat irrelevant. What else might you want to know? How about whether the man had already held a political office and done a good job? In this case, we want to\u00a0ask, How much information is adequate in order to make\u00a0a decision based on logic instead of\u00a0assumptions?<\/p>\n<p>The following questions, presented\u00a0in Figure 1, below, are ones you may apply to formulating a logical, reasoned perspective in the above scenario or any other situation:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>What&#8217;s happening?<\/em> Gather the basic information and begin to think of questions.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Why is it important?<\/em> Ask yourself why it&#8217;s significant and whether or not you agree.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>What don&#8217;t I see?<\/em> Is there anything important missing?<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>How do I know?<\/em> Ask yourself where the information came from and how it was constructed.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Who is saying it?<\/em> What&#8217;s the position of the speaker and what is influencing them?<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>What else?<\/em> <em>What if?<\/em> What other ideas exist and are there other possibilities?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div id=\"attachment_426\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/02\/19004252\/Critical_Thinking_Infographic-e1345139343418.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-426\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-426\" class=\"wp-image-426\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/02\/19004252\/Critical_Thinking_Infographic-e1345139343418.jpg\" alt=\"Infographic titled &quot;Questions a Critical Thinker Asks.&quot; From the top, text reads: What's Happening? Gather the basic information and begin to think of questions (image of two stick figures talking to each other). Why is it Important? Ask yourself why it's significant and whether or not you agree. (Image of bearded stick figure sitting on a rock.) What Don't I See? Is there anything important missing? (Image of stick figure wearing a blindfold, whistling, walking away from a sign labeled Answers.) How Do I Know? Ask yourself where the information came from and how it was constructed. (Image of stick figure in a lab coat, glasses, holding a beaker.) Who is Saying It? What's the position of the speaker and what is influencing them? (Image of stick figure reading a newspaper.) What Else? What If? What other ideas exist and are there other possibilities? (Stick figure version of Albert Einstein with a thought bubble saying &quot;If only time were relative...&quot;.\" width=\"600\" height=\"1199\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-426\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 1<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Problem-Solving with Critical Thinking<\/h2>\n<p>For most people, a typical day is filled with critical thinking and problem-solving challenges. In fact, critical thinking and problem-solving go hand-in-hand. They both refer to using knowledge, facts, and data to solve problems effectively. But with problem-solving, you are specifically identifying, selecting, and defending your solution. Below\u00a0are some examples of using critical thinking to problem-solve:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Your roommate was upset and said some unkind words to you, which put a crimp in the relationship. You try to see through the angry behaviors to determine how you might best support the roommate and help bring the relationship back to a comfortable spot.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Your campus club has been languishing on account of\u00a0lack of participation and funds. The new club president, though, is a marketing major and has identified some strategies to interest students in joining and supporting the club. Implementation is forthcoming.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Your final art class project challenges you to conceptualize form in new ways. On the last day of class when students present their projects, you describe the techniques you used to fulfill the assignment. You explain why and how you selected that approach.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Your math teacher sees that the class is not quite grasping a concept. She uses clever questioning to dispel anxiety and guide you to new understanding of the concept.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>You have a job interview for a position that you feel you are only partially qualified for, although you really want the job and you are excited about the prospects. You analyze how you will explain your skills and experiences in a way to show that you are a good match for the prospective employer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>You are doing well in college, and most of your college and living expenses are covered. But there are some gaps between what you want and what you feel you can afford. You analyze your income, savings, and budget to better calculate what you will need to stay in college and maintain your desired\u00a0level of spending.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Problem-Solving Activity<\/h3>\n<p>Now let&#8217;s practice problem solving by working through the following activity.<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.oppia.org\/explore\/M4fUuWRy79Zn?iframed=true\" width=\"700\" height=\"900\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"problem-solving-text-version\/\" target=\"_blank\">Click here for a text-only version of the activity.<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Problem-Solving Action Checklist<\/h3>\n<p>Problem-solving can be an efficient and rewarding\u00a0process, especially if you are organized and mindful of critical steps and strategies. Remember, too, to assume the attributes of a good critical thinker. If you are curious, reflective, knowledge-seeking, open to change, probing, organized, and ethical, your challenge or problem will be less of a hurdle, and you&#8217;ll be in a good position to find intelligent solutions.<\/p>\n<div>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th><\/th>\n<th>STRATEGIES<\/th>\n<th>ACTION CHECKLIST<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"&quot;Student Success-Thinking Critically In Class and Online.&quot;\u00a0Critical Thinking Gateway. St Petersburg College, n.d. Web. 16 Feb 2016.\" id=\"return-footnote-421-2\" href=\"#footnote-421-2\" aria-label=\"Footnote 2\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[2]<\/sup><\/a><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>1<\/td>\n<td>Define the problem<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li>Identify the problem<\/li>\n<li>Provide as many supporting details as possible<\/li>\n<li>Provide examples<\/li>\n<li>Organize the information logically<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>2<\/td>\n<td>Identify available solutions<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li>Use logic to identify your most important goals<\/li>\n<li>Identify implications and consequences<\/li>\n<li>Identify facts<\/li>\n<li>Compare and contrast possible solutions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>3<\/td>\n<td>Select your solution<\/td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li>Use gathered facts and relevant evidence<\/li>\n<li>Support and defend solutions considered valid<\/li>\n<li>Defend your solution<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Evaluating Information with Critical Thinking<\/h2>\n<p>Evaluating information can be one of the most complex tasks you will be faced with in college. But if you utilize\u00a0the following four strategies, you will be well on your way to success:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read for understanding by using text coding<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Examine arguments<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clarify thinking<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cultivate \u201chabits of mind\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3>Read for Understanding Using Text Coding<\/h3>\n<p>When you read and take notes, use the <a href=\"http:\/\/toolsfordifferentiation.pbworks.com\/w\/page\/22360123\/Text%20Coding\">text coding strategy<\/a>. Text coding is a way of\u00a0tracking your thinking while reading. It entails marking the text and recording what you are thinking either in the margins or perhaps on Post-it notes. As you make connections and ask questions in response to what you read,\u00a0\u00a0you monitor your comprehension and enhance your long-term understanding of the material.<\/p>\n<p>With text coding, mark important arguments and key facts. Indicate where you agree and disagree or have further questions. You don\u2019t necessarily need to read every word, but make sure you understand the concepts or the intentions behind what is written. Feel free to develop your own shorthand style when reading or taking notes. The following are a few options to consider using while coding text.<\/p>\n<div>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Shorthand<\/th>\n<th>Meaning<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>!<\/td>\n<td>Important<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>L<\/td>\n<td>Learned something new<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>!<\/td>\n<td>Big idea surfaced<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>*<\/td>\n<td>Interesting or important fact<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>?<\/td>\n<td>Dig deeper<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\u2713<\/td>\n<td>Agree<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\u2260<\/td>\n<td>Disagree<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p>See more text coding from <a href=\"http:\/\/toolsfordifferentiation.pbworks.com\/w\/page\/22360123\/Text%20Coding\" target=\"_blank\">PBWorks<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/ctlonline.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Collaborative for Teaching and Learning<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Examine Arguments<\/h3>\n<p>When you examine arguments or claims that an author, speaker, or other source is making, your goal is to identify and examine the hard facts. You can use the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=9G5xooMN2_c\" target=\"_blank\">spectrum of authority strategy<\/a> for this purpose. The spectrum of authority strategy assists you in identifying the &#8220;hot&#8221; end of an argument\u2014feelings, beliefs, cultural influences, and societal influences\u2014and the &#8220;cold&#8221; end of an argument\u2014scientific influences. The following video explains this strategy.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"oembed-2\" title=\"Critical Thinking 101: Spectrum of Authority\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9G5xooMN2_c?feature=oembed&#38;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Clarify Thinking<\/h3>\n<p>When you use critical thinking to evaluate information, you need to clarify your thinking to yourself and likely to others. Doing this well\u00a0is mainly a process of asking and answering probing questions, such as\u00a0the logic questions discussed earlier. Design your questions to fit your needs, but be sure to cover adequate\u00a0ground. What is the purpose? What question are we trying to answer? What point of view is being expressed? What assumptions are we or others making? What are the facts and data we know, and how do we know them? What are the concepts we\u2019re working with? What are the conclusions, and do they make sense? What are the implications?<\/p>\n<h3>Cultivate \u201cHabits of Mind\u201d<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cHabits of mind\u201d are the personal commitments, values, and standards you have about the principle of good thinking. Consider your intellectual commitments, values, and standards. Do you approach problems with an open mind, a respect for truth, and an inquiring attitude? Some good habits to have when thinking critically are being receptive to having your opinions changed, having respect for others, being independent and not accepting something is true until you&#8217;ve had the time to examine the available evidence, being fair-minded, having respect for a reason, having an inquiring mind, not making assumptions, and always, especially, questioning your own conclusions\u2014in other words, developing an intellectual work ethic. Try to work these qualities into your daily life.<\/p>\n<h2>Developing Yourself As a Critical Thinker<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/02\/20002423\/4051616855_dff482928a_z.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-498\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-498\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/02\/20002423\/4051616855_dff482928a_z.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of a group of students standing around a poster on the wall, where they're adding post-it notes with handwriting on them\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Critical thinking is a desire to seek, patience to doubt, fondness to meditate, slowness to assert, readiness to consider, carefulness to dispose and set in order; and hatred for every kind of imposture. \u2014Francis Bacon, philosopher<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Critical thinking is a fundamental skill for college students, but it should also be a lifelong pursuit. Below\u00a0are additional strategies to develop yourself as a critical thinker in college and in everyday life:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Reflect and practice<\/strong>: Always reflect on what you&#8217;ve learned. Is it true all the time? How did you arrive at your conclusions?<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Use wasted time<\/strong>: It&#8217;s certainly important to make time for relaxing, but if you find you are indulging in\u00a0too much of a good thing, think about using your time more constructively. Determine when you do your best thinking and try to learn something new during that part of the day.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Redefine the way you see things<\/strong>: It can be very uninteresting to always think the same way.\u00a0Challenge yourself to see familiar things in new ways. Put yourself in someone else&#8217;s shoes and consider things from a different angle or perspective.\u00a0\u00a0If you&#8217;re trying to solve a problem, list all your concerns: what you need in order to solve it, who can help, what some possible barriers might be, etc. It&#8217;s often possible to\u00a0reframe a\u00a0problem as an opportunity. Try to find a solution where there seems to be none.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Analyze the influences on your thinking and in your life<\/strong>: Why do you think or feel the way you do? Analyze your influences. Think about who in your life influences you. Do you feel or react a certain way because of social convention, or because you believe it is what is expected of you? Try to break out of any molds that may be constricting you.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Express yourself<\/strong>: Critical thinking also involves being able to express yourself clearly. Most important in expressing yourself clearly is stating one point at a time. You might be inclined to argue every thought, but you might have greater impact if you focus just on your main arguments. This will help\u00a0others to follow your thinking clearly. For more abstract ideas, assume that your audience may not understand. Provide examples, analogies, or metaphors where you can.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Enhance your wellness<\/strong>: It\u2019s easier to think critically when you take care of your mental and physical health. <strong>Try taking 10-minute<a href=\"http:\/\/www.students.ubc.ca\/livewelllearnwell\/learn-about-wellness\/sleep-nutrition-exercise\/physical-activity\/\" target=\"_blank\"> activity breaks<\/a> to reach 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity each day<\/strong>. Try taking a break between classes and walk to the coffee shop that\u2019s farthest away. Scheduling physical activity into your day can help lower stress and increase mental alertness. Also, <strong>do your most difficult work when you have the most energy<\/strong>. Think about the time of day you are most effective and have the most energy. Plan to do your most difficult work during these times. And be sure to <strong>reach out for help<\/strong>. If you feel you need assistance with your mental or physical health, talk to a counselor or visit a doctor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"textbox exercises\">\n<h3>Activity: Reflect on Critical Thinking<\/h3>\n<h4>Objective<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apply critical thinking strategies to your life<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Directions:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think about someone you consider to be a critical thinker (friend, professor, historical figure, etc). What qualities does he\/she have?<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review some of the critical thinking strategies discussed on this page. Pick one strategy that makes sense to you. How can you apply this critical thinking technique to your academic work?<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Habits of mind are attitudes and beliefs that influence how you approach the world (i.e., inquiring attitude, open mind, respect for truth, etc). What is one habit of mind you would like to actively develop over the next year? How will you develop a daily practice to cultivate this habit?<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Write your responses in journal form, and submit according to your instructor\u2019s guidelines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Summary<\/h2>\n<p>The following text is an excerpt from an essay by Dr. Andrew Robert Baker, &#8220;Thinking Critically and Creatively.&#8221; In these paragraphs, Dr. Baker underscores the importance of critical thinking\u2014the imperative of critical thinking, really\u2014to improving\u00a0as students, teachers, and researchers. The follow-up portion\u00a0of this essay appears in the Creative Thinking section\u00a0of this course.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<h3>Thinking Critically and Creatively<\/h3>\n<p>Critical thinking skills are perhaps the most fundamental skills involved in making judgments and solving problems. You use them every day, and you can continue improving them.<\/p>\n<p>The ability to think critically about a matter\u2014to analyze a question, situation, or problem down to its most basic parts\u2014is what helps us evaluate the accuracy and truthfulness of statements, claims, and information we read and hear. It is the sharp knife that, when honed, separates fact from fiction, honesty from lies, and the accurate from the misleading. We all use this skill to one degree or another almost every day. For example, we use critical thinking every day as we consider the latest consumer products and why one particular product is the best among its peers. Is it a quality product because a celebrity endorses it? Because a lot of other people may have used it? Because it is made by one company versus another? Or perhaps because it is made in one country or another? These are questions representative of critical thinking.<\/p>\n<p>The academic setting demands more of us in terms of critical thinking than everyday life. It demands that we evaluate information and analyze myriad issues. It is the environment where our critical thinking skills can be the difference between success and failure. In this environment we must consider information in an analytical, critical manner. We must ask questions\u2014What is the source of this information? Is this source an expert one and what makes it so? Are there multiple perspectives to consider on an issue? Do multiple sources agree or disagree on an issue? Does quality research substantiate information or opinion? Do I have any personal biases that may affect my consideration of this information?<\/p>\n<p>It is only through purposeful, frequent, intentional questioning such as this that we can sharpen our critical thinking skills and improve as students, learners and researchers.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014Dr. Andrew Robert Baker,<em>\u00a0Foundations of Academic Success: Words of Wisdom<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Resources for Critical Thinking<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.criticalthinking.org\/pages\/glossary-of-critical-thinking-terms\/496\" target=\"_blank\">Glossary of Critical Thinking Terms<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/critical-thinking.wikidot.com\/self-assessment\" target=\"_blank\">Critical Thinking Self-Assessment<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jeopardylabs.com\/play\/logical-fallacies16?utm_source=cheetah&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=2014.04.28%20Faculty%20Focus%20Update\" target=\"_blank\">Logical Fallacies Jeopardy Template<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/fallaciesfiles.weebly.com\/?utm_source=cheetah&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=2014.04.28%20Faculty%20Focus%20Update\" target=\"_blank\">Fallacies Files\u2014Home<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/learningcommons.ubc.ca\/student-toolkits-2\/thinking-critically\/\" target=\"_blank\">Thinking Critically | Learning Commons<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.criticalthinking.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Foundation for Critical Thinking<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.criticalthinking.org\/ctmodel\/logic-model1.htm\" target=\"_blank\">To Analyze Thinking We Must Identify and Question Its Elemental Structures<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.criticalthinking.org\/pages\/critical-thinking-in-everyday-life-9-strategies\/512\" target=\"_blank\">Critical Thinking in Everyday Life<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\t<iframe id=\"lumen_assessment_866\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/assessments.lumenlearning.com\/assessments\/load?assessment_id=866&#38;embed=1&#38;external_user_id=&#38;external_context_id=&#38;iframe_resize_id=lumen_assessment_866\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;width:100%;height:100%;min-height:400px;\"><br \/>\n\t<\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-421\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Original<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Critical Thinking Skills. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Linda Bruce. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Lumen Learning. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Image of three students. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: PopTech. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/8tXtQp\">https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/8tXtQp<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/\">CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Critical Thinking. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Critical and Creative Thinking Program. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/cct.wikispaces.umb.edu\/Critical+Thinking\">http:\/\/cct.wikispaces.umb.edu\/Critical+Thinking<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Thinking Critically. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: UBC Learning Commons. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: The University of British Columbia, Vancouver Campus. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/www.oercommons.org\/courses\/learning-toolkit-critical-thinking\/view\">http:\/\/www.oercommons.org\/courses\/learning-toolkit-critical-thinking\/view<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Critical Thinking 101: Spectrum of Authority. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: UBC Leap. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/9G5xooMN2_c\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/9G5xooMN2_c<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Image of students putting post-its on wall. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Hector Alejandro. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/7b2Ax2\">https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/7b2Ax2<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Foundations of Academic Success. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Thomas C. Priester, editor. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Open SUNY Textbooks. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/textbooks.opensuny.org\/foundations-of-academic-success\/\">http:\/\/textbooks.opensuny.org\/foundations-of-academic-success\/<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\">CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">All rights reserved content<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Critical Thinking.wmv. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Lawrence Bland. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/WiSklIGUblo\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/WiSklIGUblo<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em>All Rights Reserved<\/em>. <strong>License Terms<\/strong>: Standard YouTube License<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section><hr class=\"before-footnotes clear\" \/><div class=\"footnotes\"><ol><li id=\"footnote-421-1\">\"logike.\" Wordnik. n.d. Web. 16 Feb 2016. <a href=\"#return-footnote-421-1\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 1\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-421-2\">\"Student Success-Thinking Critically In Class and Online.\"\u00a0<em>Critical Thinking Gateway<\/em>. St Petersburg College, n.d. Web. 16 Feb 2016. <a href=\"#return-footnote-421-2\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 2\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div>","protected":false},"author":277,"menu_order":2,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Image of three students\",\"author\":\"PopTech\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/8tXtQp\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by-sa\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Critical Thinking\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"Critical and Creative Thinking Program\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/cct.wikispaces.umb.edu\/Critical+Thinking\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Thinking Critically\",\"author\":\"UBC Learning Commons\",\"organization\":\"The University of British Columbia, Vancouver Campus\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/www.oercommons.org\/courses\/learning-toolkit-critical-thinking\/view\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"copyrighted_video\",\"description\":\"Critical Thinking.wmv\",\"author\":\"Lawrence Bland\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/WiSklIGUblo\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"arr\",\"license_terms\":\"Standard YouTube License\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Critical Thinking 101: Spectrum of Authority\",\"author\":\"UBC Leap\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/9G5xooMN2_c\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Image of students putting post-its on wall\",\"author\":\"Hector Alejandro\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/7b2Ax2\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Foundations of Academic Success\",\"author\":\"Thomas C. 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