Critical_aa thinking_aa Is_aa the_a process_aa of_aa conceptualizing,_aa applying,_
analyzing,_aa synthesizing,_aa and_aa evaluating_aa information_aa gathered_aa by_aa
observation,_ experience,_ reflection,_ reasoning_ or_ communication, _aa
as_aa a_aa guide_aa to_aa belief_aa and_aa action._a When_aa I_aa apply_aa
critical_aa thinking_aa more_aa ideas_aa are_aa develop,_aa fewer_aa mistakes_aa
are_aa made_aa and_aa better_aa decisions_aa are_aa reached._aa Instead_aa of_aa
using_aa critical _aa thinking _aa act _aa on _aa beliefs _aa or _aa without _ giving_aa
it_aa a_ second_aa thought,_aa the_ end_aa results_aa are_aa poor_aa decisions_aa
and_ as_ a_ result_ have_ a_ disaster_ at_ hand._ Critical _aa
thinkers_ are _aa fair_ and_ focused._ They_ are_ rational_ and _aa
not_ impulsive _aa while_ making_ a_ decision. _aa Critical _aa thinkers _aa
have_aa high_aa awareness_aa that_aa also_ plays_aa an_aa important_aa role._aa
Thinking_aa out_aa of_aa the_aa box_aa has_ resulted_aa in_ many_aa great_a
inventions_aa as_aa well_aa ideas._aa Creative_aa thinkers_aa are_aa modest_aa and_a
humble._aa Being_ modest_ can_ make_aa you_ become_ a_aa better _aa
critical_aa thinker.Thinking_aa critically_aa in_aa my_aa past_aa life_aa has_aa
always_aa became_aa a_aa rise_aa and_aa fall_aa for_aa me,_aa having_aa doubts,_aa
being_aa questionable_aa but_aa at_aa time_aa thinking_aa through_aa and_aa
reasoning_aa my_aa doubts_aa and_aa reflecting_aa on_aa my_ experiences._aa
Observing_aa and_aa analyzing_aa the_aa negative_aa and_aa eventually_aa evaluating_aa
all_aa my_aa problems_aa and_aa turning_aa it_a into_aa positive._aa Basically,_aa
all_aa the_aa “I_aa can’t”_aa and_aa “I_aa won’t”_aa gave_aa me_aa strength_aa
to_aa look_aa and_aa think_aa better_aa of_a myself._aa I_ would_ describe_
critical_aa thinking_a evaluating_aa and_aa researching_aa something._aa In_aa
order_aa to_aa make_aa a_aa clear_aa judgment._aa I_aa would_ have_aa never_aa
thought_aa grocery_aa shopping_aa would_aa have_aa been_aa considered_aa as_aa
critical_aa thinking_aa until_aa I_aa watched_a the_aa video._aa When_aa I_aa
grocery_aa shop_aa I_aa have_aa to_aa consider_aa what_aa my_aa family_aa likes_aa
and_aa things_aa that_aa my_aa family_aa is_aa allergic_aa to.Good_aa characteristics_aa
of_ a_ good_ critical_ thinker_ are_ effective_ communication, _aa
open_ mindedness,_ flexibility,_ tolerance_ for_ ambiguity,_ and _aa
problem_aa solving._aa I_aa work_aa as_aa a_aa phlebotomist_aa a_aa lab._ In_
order_aa to_ work _aa in _aa a _aa hospital_ you_ have _aa to_ be _
flexible._aa Schedule_aa can_aa change_aa at_aa anytime._aa There_aa are_aa many_aa
barriers_aa to_aa critical_aa thinking_aa such_aa as_aa resistance,_aa avoidance,_aa
anger,_ denial_ ignorance,_ conformity,_ and_ distractions._ I_aa
sometimes_aa can_aa get_aa easily_aa distracted_aa when_ it_aa comes_aa to_aa
completing_ my_ assignments. _aa Motherly _aa duties, _ social _aa media, _aa
tv_aa ,_aa and_aa playing_aa on_aa my_aa phone._aa sometimes_a gets_aa the_aa
best_aa of_ me._ So_a to_aa keep_a from_a getting_ distracted_aa by_aa
my_ phone. _aa I_ put_ it_ on_ airplane_ mode _aa while _aa I _aa
study._aa It's_a good_aa to_ know_aa which_aa barriers_aa affect_aa you_aa
most._aa So_ you_aa can_aa work_ on_aa them.I_aa never_aa realized_aa how_aa
much_aa critical_aa thinking_aa played_aa a_aa major_aa part_aa in_aa my_aa
everyday_aa life._aa It_aa is_aa something_ I_aa do_aa everyday_aa naturally_aa
on_aa my_aa own._aa The_aa videos_aa made_aa understand _aa more _aa about _aa
critical_aa thinking._aa I_aa know_aa now_aa I_aa need_aa to_aa work_aa more_aa
on_aa open_aa mindedness._aa Sometimes_aa I_ can_aa really_aa be_aa blunt._a
Don't_aa be_aa meaning_aa to_aa cause_aa harm._aa But_aa at_aa times_aa I_aa
hurt_ people_ feelings._a That's_ why_ it's_a always_ to_a think _aa
before_ I_aa speak._ Critical_aa thinking_aa is_aa important_a in_aa many _aa
ways_aa because_ it_ helps_ us_ to_ become_ better_ thinkers._aa
One_aa way_aa people_aa can_aa overcome_aa barriers_aa is_aa by_aa being_aa
open_aa to_aa new_aa thoughts_aa from_aa other._aa Another_aa way_aa is_aa not_aa
by_aa judging_aa a_aa person_aa based_aa on_aa their_aa thoughts_aa and_aa
opinions._aa Knowing_aa that_aa everyone_aa is_aa entitled_aa to_aa an_aa answer,_aa
with_aa no_a right_aa or_ wrong_aa answers._aa Everyone_aa opinion_aa should_aa
matter._ I_ found_ that_ in_ the_ learning_ activities_ very _aa
interesting_aa that_aa there_aa are_aa different_aa stages_aa of_aa cognitive_aa
developments_aa that_aa college_aa students_aa can_aa relate_aa to_aa along_aa
with_aa different_aa characteristics_aa of_aa a_aa thinker_a that_aa me_aa myself_aa
can_aa relate_ to._aa Also_aa on_aa how_ it_aa can_aa effect_aa a_aa person_aa
mind_aa and_aa ability_aa to_aa be_aa a_aa critical_a thinker._ I_aa think_aa
this_aa critical_aa thinking_aa course_aa is_aa really_aa going_aa to_ help_aa to_aa
me._aa Fear_aa of_a challenge_aa is_aa one_aa that_aa really_aa caught_aa my_aa
eye._aa Because_aa sometime_aa a_aa person_aa can_aa feel_aa a_aa certain_aa
way_aa about_ something_aa and_aa once_aa they_aa hear_aa others_aa thoughts_a
on_aa it,_aa it_aa can_aa easily_aa make_aa them_aa change_ they_aa mind_aa
out_aa of_aa fear._aa Being_ a_aa critical_aa thinker_aa you_aa should_ always_aa
stick_ to _aa how _aa you_ feel _aa about_ something_ because_ it _aa
pieces_aa of_aa your_ thoughts_aa could_aa he_aa helpful_aa to_aa someone_aa
else._a I _ would _aa define _ critical _aa thinking _aa as _aa a _aa combination _aa
of_aa skills_ that_aa we_aa use_aa daily_ that_a we_aa need_aa for_aa our_aa
full_aa intellectual_aa and_aa personal_aa development._aa It's_aa important_aa to_aa
learn_aa so_aa not_aa only_aa do_aa we_ know_ what_aa to_aa think,_aa but_aa
how_aa to_aa think_aa as_aa well.A_aa critical_aa thinker_aa is_aa effective_aa at_aa
communication,_aa has_aa analytical_aa skills,_aa possesses_aa research_aa and_aa
inquiry_aa skills,_aa has_aa flexibility_aa and_aa tolerance_aa for_ ambiguity,_aa
has_aa open-minded_aa scepticism,_aa creative_aa problem_aa solving,_aa are_aa
attentive,_aa mindful,_aa and_aa curious,_aa and_aa is_aa a_aa collaborative_aa
learner.
Barriers_aa many_aa of_aa us_aa face_aa are_aa exactly_aa what_aa you'd_aa
expect_aa them_aa to_aa be._aa Resistance_aa being_a one,_aa comes_a in_aa
different_ types_ such_ as_a anger,_a avoidance,_ cliches,_ denial, _aa
ignorance,_aa conformity,_aa struggling_aa and_aa distractions._aa Also,_aa narrow_aa
mindedness_aa and_ the_ inability_aa to_aa see_aa anything_aa besides_aa your_aa
own_aa opinion_ and _aa thoughts. _aa Absolutism, _ egocentrism, _aa
anthropocentrism,_aa stress,_aa and_ ethnocentrism. _aa We_aa can_aa overcome_aa
these_aa barriers_aa by_aa learning_aa and_aa practicing_aa the_aa skills_aa of_aa
a_aa critical_aa thinker._aa A_aa critical_aa thinker_aa to_aa me_aa is_aa someone_aa
who_aa is_aa very_ observant_ and _aa not _aa biased_ because_ when _aa
giving_aa advice_a or_aa help_aa to_aa a_aa situation_aa you'll_aa need_aa a_aa
very_aa strong_ minded_aa person_aa intake,_aa Being_a misunderstood_aa and_aa
lacking_aa knowledge_aa can_aa be_aa a_aa problem_ when_aa having_aa a_aa
conversation_aa with_ someone_aa who_ has_aa a_aa hard_aa time_aa
understanding_aa a_aa topic_aa of_ conversation_aa you_aa know_aa very_aa well_aa
about._aa Critical_aa thinking_aa is_aa putting_aa your_ thought_a and_aa ideas_aa
together_aa and_aa analyzing_aa what_aa needs_aa to_aa be_aa done_aa to_aa
make_aa a_aa well_aa thought_aa out_aa conclusion_aa to_ your_aa thought._aa
Being_aa smart_aa and_ thought_aa out_aa about_aa an_aa idea_aa is_aa how_aa
you_aa apply_aa critical_aa thinking.Main_aa characteristics_aa of_aa critical_aa
thinking_aa are_aa being_aa thorough_aa about_ ides,_aa being_aa conscience_aa
about_aa the_ idea_aa and_aa apply_ the_aa "who,what,where,why"_aa of_aa
the_ topic_ .I_ believe_ the_ biggest_ barrier_ that_ people _aa
have_aa is_a themselves._aa They_aa get_aa an_aa idea_ in_aa their_aa heads_aa
and_aa that_aa is_aa what_aa they_aa need,_aa want,_aa or_aa must_aa have._aa
This_aa is_aa not_a how_aa you_aa approach_aa critical_aa thinking_aa at_aa all,_aa
in_aa fact_aa it_aa is_aa the_aa exact_aa opposite_aa .I_aa found_aa that_aa the_aa
"Self-evaluation_aa Questionnaire"_a was_a the_a best_ activity._ Anytime _aa
we_ can_ try_ and_ analyse_ how_ we_ think_a and_ how _aa
we_a approach_aa our_a thinking_a process_aa is_ a_ step_aa in_aa the _aa
right_aa direction._aa Being_aa able_aa to_aa answer_aa questions_aa about_aa hope_aa
we_aa look_ at_aa something_a and_aa how_aa we_aa put_aa thought_aa into_aa
something_a is_aa good_ for_ us_aa to_aa see_ hoe_aa we_aa approach _aa
the_aa ideas._a We_aa can_aa find_aa out_aa a_aa lot_aa about_aa ourselves_aa
when_aa we_aa are_aa forced_aa to_aa answer_aa questions_aa of_aa how_aa we_aa
approach_ an_ idea_ or_ thought._ I_ would_ define_ critical _aa
thinking_aa as_aa being_aa open-minded_aa when _ presented _ with _aa a _aa
situation,_aa issue_aa or_aa statement_aa and_aa is_aa able_aa to_aa gather_aa the_
information,_aa use_aa logic,_aa analysis_aa and_aa evaluate_aa then_aa being_aa
able_aa to_aa come_a up_aa with_aa a_aa conclusion_aa or_aa a_ plan_ of_aa
action.
Some_aa characteristics_aa of_aa a_aa critical_aa thinker_aa is_aa being_aa an_a
effective_aa communicator;_aa flexible_aa and_aa have_a a_aa tolerance_aa for_aa
ambiguity;_aa open_aa –_aa mindedness;_aa ability_aa to_aa problem_aa solve.
Some_aa common_aa barriers_aa to_aa critical_a thinking_aa narrow_aa mindedness_aa
and_aa resistance._aa You_aa can_a encounter_aa narrow_aa mindedness_aa when_
you_aa have_aa your_aa own_a personal_aa experiences_aa that_ can_aa block_aa
our_aa ability_aa to_aa see_aa another_aa position._aa Another_aa barrier_aa is_aa
of_aa resistance_aa in_aa which_ there_aa are_aa several_aa types_aa such_aa as_aa
avoidance_aa of_aa seeking_aa information_aa from_aa other_aa sources_aa or_aa
people._a Anger_ comes_aa into_a play_aa when_ you_ have_ people _a
who_aa are_aa steadfast_aa in_aa there_aa way_aa and_aa want_aa to_aa persuade_aa
another._aa People_aa can_aa overcome_aa or_ avoid_aa these_aa barriers_aa by_a
being_aa open_aa –_aa minded_aa and_aa willing_aa to_aa seek_aa other_aa
information_ and_a positions_ .I_ honestly_ never_ realized_ how_aa
very_aa important_a critical_aa thinking_aa is_aa and_a not_aa learning_aa these_
concept_aa can_aa make_aa getting_aa along_aa with_aa peers,_aa family_aa and_aa
relationships_ very_ difficult,_ in_ fact_ in_ some_ instances _aa
detrimental._aa _aa According_aa to_aa Boss_aa (2016),_aa some_aa skilled_aa
critical_aa thinker_a characteristics_aa are:
• The_aa ability_a to_aa demonstrate_aa good_aa analytical_aa skills
• Possess_aa effective_aa communication_aa skills_aa and_aa technique
• Be_aa well_aa informed_aa and_aa have_aa excellent_aa research_aa skills
• Present_aa flexibility_ and_aa the_aa tolerance_aa to_aa handle_a ambiguity_aa
and_aa uncertainty
• Adopt_aa a_aa position_aa of_aa open-minded_aa skepticism
• Be_aa a_aa creative_aa problem_aa solver
• Be_aa attentive,_aa mindful,_aa and_aa intellectually_aa curious
• Engage_aa in_ collaborative_aa learning
After_aa this_aa week's_aa reading_aa assignment,_aa I_aa can_aa identify_aa
numerous_aa common_aa barriers_aa to_a critical_aa thinking._aa According_aa to_
Boss_aa (2016),_aa resistance_aa is_aa recognized_aa as_ a_a common_aa barrier._aa
Most_aa people_aa do_a not_aa like_aa to_aa proven_aa wrong_aa or_aa challenged._aa
Resistance,_aa defined_aa as_aa "the_aa use_aa of_aa immature_aa defense_aa
mechanisms_aa that_aa are_a rigid,_aa impulsive,_aa maladaptive,_aa and_aa
nonanalytical,"_aa can_aa act_aa as_aa a_aa barrier_aa to_aa critical_aa thinking._aa
Resistance_aa becomes_aa a_aa problem_aa when_aa it_aa is_aa used_aa as_aa a_aa
habitual_aa way_ of_aa responding_aa to_aa issues._a
There_aa are_aa different_ types_ of_ resistance._ Common _aa barriers _aa
of_aa resistance_ are:
• Avoidance
• Anger
• Cliches
• Denial
• Ignorance
• Struggling
• Conformity
• Distractions
• Absolution
• Fear_aa of_a challenge
All_aa of_aa these_a barriers_aa all_ have_aa negative_aa consequences_aa and_aa
block_aa or_aa hinder_aa one_aa from_aa developing_aa critical_aa thinking_aa
skills._aa Based_a on_a this_a week's_aa assigned_aa reading,_aa I'd_aa define_aa
critical_aa thinking_aa as_aa the_aa process_aa of_aa trying_aa to_aa analyze_aa
your_aa own_aa bias_aa and_aa the_a bias_aa of_aa others_aa in_aa relation_aa
to_aa information,_aa in_ order_aa to_aa obtain_aa a_aa clearer_aa understanding_a
of_aa that_a information.
Critical_aa thinkers_aa tend_aa to_ have_aa a_a healthy_aa level_aa of_aa self_
esteem,_ and _aa are _aa usually _aa pretty_ in_ touch _aa with _aa their _aa
own_aa thoughts_aa and_aa feelings._ This_aa is_aa because_aa of_aa their_aa
ability_aa to_aa view_aa themselves_aa and_aa their_aa actions_aa critically,_aa
without_a the_aa normal_aa cloud_a of_aa personal_ bias.I_aa think_a fear _aa
is_aa the_aa greatest_aa barrier_aa to_aa critical_aa thinking,_aa and_aa it_aa comes_aa
in_aa many_a forms._aa Fear_aa of_aa failure,_aa fear_aa of_aa disappointing_aa
others,_aa fear_aa of_aa disappointing_aa oneself,_aa fear_aa of_aa not_aa fitting_aa
in,_aa and_aa so _aa on. _aa In _aa many_aa situations, _a fear _aa can _aa excite _aa
people_aa and_aa make_aa them_aa jump_aa to_aa conclusions,_ or_aa make_aa
them_aa take_ an_aa unusual_a thought_aa process._ For_a example,_aa a _aa
child_aa afraid_aa of_aa not_aa fitting_aa in_aa might_aa assume_aa that_aa anyone_aa
whispering_aa is_aa gossiping_aa about_aa them,_ even_aa if_aa all_aa logic_aa
points_aa to_aa it_aa being_aa an_aa unrelated_aa conversation._aa Critical_aa
thinking_aa would_aa tell_aa the_aa child_aa that_ the_aa people_aa whispering_aa
around_aa the_aa corner_aa aren't_a talking_aa about_ them_aa -_aa but_aa fear_aa
presents_aa an _aa obstacle_aa to _aa that _a critical _aa thinking _aa and _aa sends _aa
them_aa down_aa another_aa thought_aa process.The_aa multi-level_aa analysis_aa
of_aa how_aa to_a properly_aa define_aa critical_aa thinking_aa was_aa a_aa
really_ enjoyable_ read_ for_ me._ It_ was_ broken_ down _aa
just_aa enough_aa to_aa be_aa digestible_aa without_aa being_a broken_aa down_a
so_aa much_aa as_aa to_aa be_aa unengaging_aa or_aa dry._ I_aa would_aa
define_aa critical_a thinking_a as_aa the_aa process_a needed_aa to_aa absorb_aa
life_aa around_aa us;_aa in_aa fact_aa the_aa reading_aa this_aa week_aa stated_aa
it_aa is_aa a_aa set_aa of_aa skills_aa needed_aa to_aa live_aa your_aa best_aa
intellectually._aa Without_aa the_aa development_aa of_aa critical_aa thinking_aa
achieving_aa goals_aa can_aa become_a very_aa difficult._aa Learning_aa how_aa
to_a think_ rather_ than_aa just_ what_a to_ think_ will_aa ensure _aa
your_aa making_aa the_aa best_aa decisions_aa for_aa you_aa personally._aa A_aa
critical_aa thinker_aa will_aa be_aa able_aa to_aa problem_ solve_aa and_aa get_aa
past_ obstacles._ The_ common_ characteristic_ of_ a_ critical _aa
thinker_aa that_aa is_aa noted_aa in_aa the_aa reading_aa is_aa logic._aa A_aa
critical_aa thinker_aa will_a base_ decisions_aa on_aa evidence_aa and_aa facts_aa
rather_aa than_aa emotion._aa Due_aa to_aa a_aa defense_aa mechanism,_aa
stubbornness,_aa also_aa known_aa as_aa resistance,_aa can_aa become_aa a_aa
barrier._ Avoidance_ was_a a_ form_ of_a resistance_ I_aa could _
relate_aa with._aa I_aa realized_aa I_ also_aa lean_aa on_aa some_aa of_aa the_aa
mechanisms_aa in_aa my_aa everyday_aa life._aa I_aa found_aa it_aa very_aa
interesting_aa that_aa I_aa am_ not_aa as_ much_aa of_aa a_aa critical_aa
thinker_aa as_aa I_aa thought._aa The_aa quiz_aa that_aa was_aa included_aa in_
the_aa reading_aa did_aa bring_aa to_aa light_aa how_aa much_aa I_aa let_aa
emotions_aa affect_aa my_aa choices._aa I_aa have_aa learned_aa I_aa need_aa to_aa
practice_aa on_aa some_aa of_aa my_aa critical_aa thinking_aa skills._aa I_aa
define_aa critical_a thinking_a as_aa something_aa you_aa have_aa a_aa strong_aa
mind_a set_ on,_ you_a have_aa to_ think_aa wisely_ about_a your _aa
decisions._ Some_ characteristics_ of_ a_ critical_ thinker_ are _aa
Logic,_aa Opinions,_aa Cognitive_aa Development,_aa Analytical_aa Skills,_aa they_aa
all_aa have_aa they_aa own_aa opinion_aa on_aa critical_aa thinking._aa The_
barriers_aa i_aa think_aa that's_aa common_aa to_aa critical_aa thinking_aa are_aa
Absolution_aa and_aa Fear_aa of_aa Challenge,_aa because_aa most_aa people_aa
act_aa before_aa they_aa think,_aa and_aa the_aa things_aa they_aa say_aa or_aa
do_aa effect_aa that_aa person_aa they_ acting_aa on._aa fear_aa of_aa challenge_aa
some_aa people_aa are_aa scared_aa of_aa they_aa own_aa shadow,_aa some_a
will_aa hide_aa in_a that_aa shell_aa for_aa a_aa long_aa time,_aa because_aa
they_aa fear_aa what_aa other_aa people_aa might_aa think_aa of_aa them._aa I_
have_aa learned_aa a_aa lot,_aa I_aa mean_aa critical_aa thinking_ is_aa really_aa
a_aa good_aa motivation,_aa I_ know_a I_aa use_aa to_aa act_aa before_aa I_aa
think,_aa but_aa I'm_aa way_aa smarter,_aa aware,_aa and_aa wiser,_aa I_ think_aa
before_aa I_aa do _ anything. _aa Critical_aa thinking_aa can_aa help_aa solve_aa
problems_ and_ arguments_ if_ you_ all_ have_ the_ same _aa
concept_aa of_aa the_aa situation,_aa I_aa learn_aa so_aa much_aa in_aa this_aa
lesson_aa and_aa psychology_aa listen_aa that_aa I_aa know_aa how_aa to_aa
move,_aa set_aa schedules,_aa and_aa etc._aa I_aa love_aa the_ fact_ i_aa
choose_aa to_aa come_ back_aa to_ school_aa and_aa finally_aa can_aa make_aa
it_aa through_aa a_aa course._aa I_aa plan_aa on_aa learning_aa more,_a I_aa
enjoy_aa handling_aa my_aa priorities._aa I_aa would_aa define_aa critical_aa
thinking_ as_ our_ way_ of_ making_ rational_ decisions_ in _aa
a_aa timely_aa manner_aa under_aa some_aa sort_aa of_aa pressure._aa At_aa
some_aa point_ every_ day_aa we_aa all_aa use_aa critical_aa thinking_aa as_aa
a_aa skillset,_aa whether_ it _aa be _aa parenting,_ school,_ work,_ I _aa
mean_a the_ list_aa goes_ on._a Thinking_ critically_a requires_aa our _aa
minds_ to_ almost_ immediately_ have_ a_ solution_ to_ a _aa
problem,_aa without_a fully_a even_aa understanding_aa the_aa problem_aa at_aa
hand_aa and_a in _aa doing _aa so _a we _aa make _ decisions _a that _aa are _aa
sometimes_aa good_aa and_ sometimes_aa can_aa be_aa bad_aa but_aa in_aa
that_aa moment_aa not_aa having_ the_aa time_aa to_aa process_aa we_aa may_aa
not_aa consider_aa the_ outcome.Some _aa characteristics_aa of _aa a_ critical _aa
thinker_aa include_aa open_aa mindedness,_aa attentive,_aa and _aa even _a well _aa
informed_aa and_aa flexible._aa Which_a I_aa believe_ all_a ties_ together_aa
in_aa a_aa way,_aa but_aa can_aa also_aa not_aa tie_aa together_aa so_aa well._aa
There_aa have_aa been_aa times_aa when_aa I've_aa had_aa an_aa open_aa
discussion_aa about_aa my_aa sexuality_aa with_aa my_ family_aa I_aa had_aa
to_aa remain_a open_aa minded_aa but_a wasn't_ very_aa attentive_ because_aa
in_aa all_aa reality_aa their_aa opinions_a meant_aa nothing_aa to_aa me._aa
Those_aa type_aa of_aa conversations_aa with_aa my_aa family_aa always_aa
present_aa themselves_aa which_aa allows_aa me_aa to_aa use_aa critical_aa thinking_aa
to_aa get_aa out_aa of_aa the_aa conversation_aa as_aa quickly_aa as_aa possible._aa
I_aa also_aa have_aa moments_a when_aa I_aa want_aa to_aa be_aa irresponsible_aa
and_aa purchase_aa some_aa shoes_aa or_aa a_aa bag_a knowing_aa I_aa have_aa
a_aa bill_aa to_aa pay._ I'll_aa use_aa critical_aa thinking_aa to_aa help_ me_
make_aa the_aa best_ decision_aa and_a it_aa typically_aa helps_aa because_aa
I_aa end_aa up_aa being_aa responsible_aa and_aa paying_aa my_ bills_aa on_aa
time_ because_a I'm_ well_a informed_ on_aa why_ it's_aa important _aa
to_aa not_a be_aa flexible_aa at_aa times._ These_aa are_aa two _ very _aa
different_aa examples_aa of_aa my_aa understanding_aa of_aa critical_aa thinking.One_aa
common_aa barrier_aa of_aa a_aa critical_aa thinker_aa that_aa I_aa know_aa
affects_aa us_aa all_aa is_aa being_aa narrow_aa minded._aa When_aa we_aa are_aa
well_aa informed_aa about_aa something_aa and_aa someone_aa or_ something_aa
presents_aa us_aa with_ a_aa counter_aa argument_aa about_aa that_aa something_aa
we_ tend _ to _aa hear _ nothing. _ I'll_ give _ an _ example, _ I _aa
know_a if_aa my_a grandmother_aa sent_ me_aa to_a the_aa store_ for _a
some_aa collard_ greens_ not_a to_aa come_a back_aa with_ a_a can _aa
of_aa pre-cooked_aa collard_aa greens_aa and_aa she_aa doesn't_ have_a to_
elaborate_aa as_aa to_aa why_aa because_aa I_aa absolutely_aa know_aa that_aa
she_ expects_ fresh_ collard_ greens._a If_ I_ get_ to_ the _aa
store_aa they're_aa sold_aa out_aa of_aa fresh_a collard_aa greens_aa and_aa only_aa
have_aa pre-cut_aa bagged_aa collard_aa greens_aa and_aa pre-made_aa collard_a
greens_aa in_aa the_aa can._aa The_aa fact_aa that_aa I_aa know_aa if_aa I_aa
bring_ home_ the_ pre-cooked_ canned_ collard_ greens_ I'd _aa
never_aa hear_ the_aa end_aa of_aa it_aa is_ what_aa makes_aa me_aa narrow_aa
minded_aa to_aa that_a option._aa So_aa I_aa know_aa to_ go_ with_aa the_aa
pre-cut_aa bagged_aa collard_aa greens_aa because_aa they_aa are_aa the_aa closet_aa
to_aa what_aa I_aa know_aa my_aa grandmother_aa is_aa expecting._aa When_aa
she_aa cooks_aa she_aa expects_aa to_aa make_aa everything_aa from_aa scratch_aa
and_aa does_a not_ look _aa for _aa short_ cuts_ so_a her_ narrow _aa
mindedness_aa towards_aa those_aa pre-cooked_aa collard_aa greens_aa rubbed_aa
off_aa on_aa me_a over_aa the_aa years_aa and_aa now_aa I_aa don't_aa care_aa
how_aa convenient_aa the_aa canned_aa collard_aa greens_a are_aa my_aa mind_aa
is_aa going _aa to _aa always_ eliminate _aa them _ as _aa an _aa option, _ if _
the_aa store_aa is_aa sold_aa out_aa of_aa fresh_aa collard_aa greens_aa I_aa will_a
check_aa every_aa store_aa until_aa I_aa find_aa them_a or_a go_a with_aa
the_ pre-cut_ bagged_ collard_ greens_ (critical_ thinking)._ Not _aa
sure_aa if_aa in_aa this_aa situation_aa I_aa can_aa ever_aa overcome_aa this_aa
barrier_aa but_aa there_aa is_aa a_aa work_aa around_a so_aa I_aa guess_aa I_aa
have_aa because_aa the_a bagged_ greens_aa are_aa still_ convenient._aa I _aa
enjoyed_ the _aa videos _aa the _aa most _aa this _aa week_ on _aa critical _aa
thinking_ because_ there_ were_ examples_ used_ for_ the _aa
questions_aa that_aa needed_aa to_aa be_aa answered_aa that_aa helped_aa me_aa
with_aa the _aa answers _aa for_aa the _aa discussion _aa which_a I_aa feel_aa I _aa
executed_aa well._ I'm_aa always_aa very_aa critical_ on_aa my_aa responses_aa
because_aa I_aa want_aa to_aa know_aa that_aa I'm_aa answering_aa the_aa
question_aa properly._aa So_aa that_aa really_aa helped._aa Based_aa on_aa this_aa
week's_aa readings_aa and_aa activities,_aa I_aa would_aa define_aa critical_aa
thinking_aa as_aa a_aa way_aa of_aa reasoning_aa and_aa analysing_aa daily_aa
decisions_aa that_aa affect_aa your_aa life_aa on_aa a_aa daily_aa basis._aa Some_aa
characteristics_aa of_aa a_aa critical_aa thinker_aa are_aa analysing_ and _aa
flexibility._aa Being_aa a_aa critical_aa thinker_aa means_aa to_ analyse_aa every_aa
factor_aa that_ will_ lead_ to_ a_ decision. _aa For_ example, _aa
deciding_aa what_aa to_aa wear_aa for_aa work;_aa is_aa it_aa dress_aa code_aa
appropriate?_aa Do_aa I_aa look_aa good?_ will_aa it_aa keep_aa me_ warm_aa
or_ cool_ throughout_ the_a day?_ Flexibility_ means_ to_ be _aa
flexible_aa to_ the_aa possibilities_ if _ your _aa decision. _aa What _ I _aa
see_aa as_ a_aa common_aa barrier_aa to_aa critical_aa thinking_aa is_aa Anger._aa
Anger_aa can_aa become_aa a_aa huge_aa barrier,_aa because_aa when_aa you_aa
are_aa angry,_aa you_aa let_ your_a emotions_aa take_aa over_aa critical_aa
thinking._ We_ tend_ to_ act_ on_ those_ decisions_ when _aa
angry_aa and_aa not_aa think_aa of_aa the_aa consequences_aa that_aa come_aa
after._ People_a might_ be_ able_ to_ overcome_ this_ barrier _aa
by_aa just_a being_aa angry,_aa let_aa the_aa anger_aa out_aa before_aa making_aa
a_aa decision._a And_aa after _aa one_aa is_aa more_aa calm,_ them_ we _aa
can_aa analyze_aa and_aa decide_aa what_a we_aa will_aa do._aa There_aa are_aa
certain_aa situations_aa that_a you_aa may_aa be_aa able_aa to_aa avoid_ that_aa
might_aa make_aa you_aa angry._aa All_aa of_aa this_aa first_aa week's_aa learning_a
activities_ and_a videos_ have_ been_ very_ straightforward_ and _aa
great._aa I_aa have_aa learned_aa a_aa lot._aa I_aa knew_aa we_aa used_aa reason_aa
to_a make_aa decisions_aa but_aa I_aa never_aa thought_aa about_ it_ as _aa
"critical_aa thinking"._ Like_aa the_aa example_aa on_aa one_aa of_aa the_aa
videos_aa when_aa Dr._aa Jackie_aa said_aa that_aa even_aa when_ we_aa are_aa
out_aa buying_aa milk,_ we_aa are _aa doing_ some _aa critical_aa thinking, _aa
because_aa we_aa have_aa to_aa decide_aa which_aa milk_aa will_aa suit_aa best_aa
for_aa my_aa family_aa at_ home._aa Critical_aa thinking_aa is_aa being_a able_aa
to_aa think_aa with_aa logic_aa instead_aa of_ opinions_a or_aa feelings._aa
It’s_aa defined_aa by_aa “how”_aa to_aa think_aa versus_aa “what”_aa to_aa think._aa
Critical_aa thinking_a means_a you_aa take_aa emotion_aa out_aa of _ the _
equation_aa and_a to _aa think _aa without _aa considering _aa how _aa it _ will _aa
affect_aa you_ personally_aa but_aa more_ so_aa thinking_aa with_aa logic.
Some_aa of_aa the_aa characteristics_aa of_aa being_aa a_aa critical_aa thinking_aa
would_aa include_aa being_aa analytical;_aa being_aa analytical_aa means_aa you_aa
are_aa able_aa to_aa take_aa into_aa consideration_aa other_aa peoples_aa
perspectives_aa and_aa dissect_aa fact_aa and_aa fiction._a Other_aa characteristics_aa
of_ a_ critical_ thinker_ are _aa being_ open_ minded,_ being _
well_ informed_ and_ doing_ research._ Along_ with_ being _aa
flexible_aa and_aa having_aa good_aa communication_aa skills.
Common_aa barriers_aa to_a critical_aa thinking_aa are_aa really_aa our_aa own_aa
thoughts_ and_ opinions._ We_ allow_ negative_ or_ cynical _aa
thoughts_aa of_aa our_aa own_aa interfere_aa with_aa logic._aa Considering_aa
most_aa people_aa hate_aa to_a be_aa wrong_aa or_aa proven_aa wrong_aa there_aa
is_aa a_a level_aa of_aa humility_aa that_aa comes_aa with_aa letting_aa go_aa
of_aa the_aa thoughts_aa you_aa have_aa and_aa truly_aa hearing_aa someone_aa
else_aa out_aa as_aa well_aa as_ analyzing_aa the_aa situation_aa and_aa making_aa
sound_aa thoughts_aa and_aa decisions_aa on_aa facts_aa not_aa ideas.
The_aa most_aa interesting_aa learning_aa I_ had_aa this_aa week_aa was_aa on_aa
the_aa three_aa stages_aa of_aa critical_aa thinking_aa and_aa how_aa that_aa
becomes_aa more_ relevant_aa on_aa age_a and_aa experience._aa How_aa we_aa
can_aa be_aa “trained”_aa to_aa think_aa a_aa certain_aa way_aa or_ due_aa to_aa
lack_aa of_aa life_aa experiences_aa we_aa tend_aa to_aa be_aa more_aa vulnerable_aa
to_a scams_ or_a making_ rash_ decisions_a because_a they_a seem _aa
enticing_ instead_ of_ logical._ I_ am_ still_ interested_ in _a
digging_aa deeper_aa into_aa developing_aa a_aa life_aa plan_aa and_aa to_aa
sharpen_aa up_a my_aa self-awareness._aa Critical_aa thinking_aa is_aa a_aa life_aa
skill_aa that_aa a_aa person_aa learns_aa from_aa either_ an_ example_aa set_aa
by_aa them_aa or_aa adversities_aa a_aa person_aa has_aa been_aa through_ and_aa
has_aa given_aa them_aa the_aa experience_aa needed_aa to_aa be_aa a_aa great_aa
critical_aa thinker._aa I_aa would_aa describe_aa someone_aa that_aa is_ a_
critical_aa thinker_aa based_aa on_aa the_aa persons_aa attitude,_aa character,_aa
and_a willingness _aa to_aa never _aa give_a up._ Common _aa barriers _aa in _aa
critical_ thinking_ could_a be_ fear_ of_a the_ unknown,_ lack _aa
of_aa desire_aa to_ problem_aa solve,_ and_aa no_aa life_aa experience_aa or_aa
depending_aa on_aa someone_aa else_aa to_aa fix_aa the_aa persons_aa problems._aa
The_ best_a way_ to_ improve_a your_ critical_ thinking _aa skill _aa
is_aa facing_aa your_aa fears_aa and_a deciding._aa If_aa a_aa person_aa does_aa
not_aa decide,_aa then_aa they_aa will_aa never_aa experience_aa the_aa satisfaction_aa
of_aa knowing_aa they_ made_aa a_aa difference_aa in_ their_aa own_ life._aa
This_aa week_aa I_ enjoyed_aa the_ videos_aa and_aa questions_aa that_aa
followed_aa along_aa as_aa you_aa watched._aa The_aa questions_aa were_aa
challenging_a and_aa made _aa me _aa think _ critically _aa while _ answering _aa
the_aa questions._ Critical_aa thinking_aa is_aa defined_aa as_aa the_aa evaluation_aa
and_aa analysis_aa of_aa an_aa issue_aa or_aa situation_a that_aa will_ allow_aa
you_aa to_aa form_aa a_aa judgement_aa when_aa making_aa a_ decision._
Some_aa characteristics_aa of_ a_a critical_aa thinker_aa are_ flexibility,_aa
open-minded,_aa communication,_aa creative,_a good_aa problem_aa solver._aa The_aa
example_aa used_aa for_aa flexibility_aa was_aa if_ your_aa boss_aa asks_aa
you_aa to_aa attend_aa a_ last_aa minute_aa meeting_aa or_aa complete_aa a_aa
last_aa minute_aa project,_aa you'll_aa need_aa to_aa know_aa how_aa to_aa move_aa
your_aa schedule_aa around_ in_ order_ to_aa make_aa it_aa work._aa Not_aa
only_aa for_aa your_aa boss_aa but_aa yourself,_aa as_aa you'll_aa still_aa need_aa
to_aa meet_aa your_aa prior_aa engagements_aa and_aa complete_aa what_aa you_aa
already_aa had_aa on_aa your_a schedule._aa Some_aa of_aa the_aa common_aa
barriers_aa to_aa critical_aa thinking_aa are_aa distractions,_aa avoidance,_aa denial_
and_aa anger._aa I_ personally_aa run_aa into_aa this_aa situation_aa at_aa work._aa
I_aa like_aa to_a plan _aa my_aa day_aa and_aa know_a what_aa I_aa need _aa
to_aa do_aa when_a I_aa get_ to_aa work_aa but_aa my_aa boss_aa will_aa
have_aa a_ different_aa agenda._aa I_aa learned_aa to_aa not_aa get_aa upset_aa
and_aa just_aa move_aa my_a schedule_aa around_aa by_aa prioritizing._aa Things_
that_aa I_aa learned_aa was_aa that_aa critical_aa thinking_aa is_a self-directed,_aa
self-_aa monitored_aa and_aa self-disciplined._aa I_aa learned_aa that_ it's_aa a_aa
complex_aa and_aa lifelong_aa skill_aa that_aa we_aa will_aa continue_aa to_aa
develop_aa in._aa Critical_aa thinking_ to_ me_aa is_aa using_aa some_ or_
all_aa of_aa the_aa skills_aa you_aa have_a to_aa accomplish_ any_aa goal_aa
or_aa solve_aa any_aa problem._aa I_ think_aa it's_aa very_aa important_ to_aa
be_aa a_aa good_aa critical_aa thinker_aa or_aa to_aa work_aa on_aa becoming_aa
one._aa Some_aa characteristics_aa of_ being_aa a_aa good_aa critical_aa thinker_
are,_aa effective_aa communication,_aa flexibility_aa and_aa tolerance,_aa problem_
solving_a etc._aa but_a I_aa think_a the_a most_aa important_a one_aa is _aa
being_aa open_aa minded._aa Being_aa openminded_aa is_aa very_aa important_aa
for_aa critical_aa thinking_aa because_aa you're_aa able_aa to_aa see_aa others_aa
points_aa of_aa view_aa and_aa accept_aa the_aa fact_a you_aa can_aa be_aa
wrong._aa Some_aa barriers_aa to_aa critical_ thinking_ are,_ resistance, _aa
avoidance,_aa anger_aa and_ a_aa few_aa more_aa but_aa to_aa me_a the_aa
one_aa that_aa stand_aa out_aa the_aa most_aa is_aa conformity._aa I_aa feel_aa
as_aa though_aa in_aa a_aa work_aa place_aa or_aa even_aa educational,_aa like_aa
group_aa projects_aa conformity_aa can_aa be_aa a_aa huge_aa problem._aa If_aa
a_aa majority_aa of_ the _aa group_aa is_ set _aa on_ one_aa idea_aa or _aa
solution_aa it_ may_aa be_aa hard_a for_aa them_aa to_ see_aa any_ other_aa
options._aa If_aa everyone_aa were_aa openminded_aa this_aa probably_aa wouldn't_aa
happen.
My_aa favorite_aa activity_aa from_aa this_aa week_aa was_aa the_aa video_aa
about_ barriers_a to_ critical_ thinking_ and_ how _aa tot_ avoid _aa
them._aa I_aa really_aa valued_aa this_aa because_aa it_aa showed_aa me_aa so_aa
many_aa things_aa I_aa need_aa to_aa work_aa on._aa Now_aa that_aa I_aa know_aa
how_aa to_aa become_aa a_aa good_aa critical_aa thinker_ I _aa can_aa start _aa
taking_ the_ steps_ to_ get_ there._ In_ my_a own_ words _aa
critical_aa thinking_aa is_aa when_aa you_aa come_ across_aa a_aa situation_a
and_aa come_aa up_aa with_aa multiple_aa answers._aa Critical_aa thinking_aa is_a
a_aa way_aa of_a being_aa open_aa minded_aa and_aa allows_aa you _ to _aa
tackle_aa situations_aa in_aa many_ different_aa ways_aa without_aa struggling_aa
with_aa just_aa one_aa answer._aa The_aa most_aa important_ characteristic_aa
for_aa a_aa critical_ thinker_aa is_aa being_aa open_a minded._ The_aa reason_aa
being_aa is_aa that_aa when_aa you_aa are_aa open_aa minded_a your_aa options_
are_aa limitless_aa which_aa will_aa help_ you_aa make_aa a_aa decision_aa
regardless_aa of_aa the_aa situation._aa Being_aa confident_aa is_aa another_aa
important_aa one_aa as_aa well_aa because_aa the_aa confidence_aa you_aa have_aa
towards_aa any_aa situation_aa will_aa be_aa less_aa stressful_aa and_aa more_aa
than_aa likely_aa you_ will_aa come_aa out_ successful_aa in_aa the_aa end._aa
Some_aa barriers_aa one_aa might_aa face_a is_a confidence_aa and_ being _aa
narrow_aa minded._aa Majority_aa of_aa people_aa do_aa not_aa have_aa high_aa
confidence_aa because_aa they_aa are_aa scared_aa to_aa fail_ and_aa leave_
their_aa comfort_aa zone_aa which_aa leads_aa into_aa being_aa narrow_aa minded._aa
To_aa overcome_aa low_aa confidence_aa and_aa being_ narrow_aa minded_aa
you_aa have_ to_aa open_aa your_aa mind_aa to_ new_aa options_aa which_aa
will_aa boost_ your_ confidence_aa in_aa situations_aa and_aa help_aa explore_aa
your_aa options_aa and_aa knowledge._aa Critical_aa thinking_aa is_aa an_aa
accumulation_aa of_aa skills_aa and_aa a_aa process_aa of_aa thinking_aa in_aa a_aa
way_ that_ allows_ a_ person_ to_ make_ rationale_ and _aa
unbiased_aa decisions._aa Critical_a thinking_aa to_aa me_aa is_ the_ removal_aa
of_ ego_ when_ confronting_ a_ problem._ This_ form_ of _a
thinking_aa is_aa not_a reserved_aa for_aa complex_aa issues_aa only._aa People_
use_aa critical_aa thinking_aa in_aa everyday_aa life._aa Doing_ things_aa such_aa
as_aa clothes_aa shopping,_aa picking_a a_ college,_aa and_aa relocating_aa all_aa
require_aa a_ certain_aa degree_aa of_aa critical_aa thinking.
Critical_aa thinkers_aa tend_aa to_aa be_aa open-minded,_aa flexible,_aa and_aa be_a
effective_aa communicators._aa These_aa traits_aa are_aa vital_aa in_aa order_aa
to_ be_ able_ to_ think_ outside_ of_ a_ persons_ own _aa
agendas,_aa beliefs_aa and_aa biases._aa Some_aa barriers_aa people_aa can_aa
face_aa when_aa trying_aa to_a use_aa critical_aa thinking_aa are_aa at_aa the_aa
opposite_aa end_aa of_ the_aa characteristics_aa I_aa just_aa named._aa So_aa
a_aa person_aa may_aa be_aa more_aa narrow-minded,_aa less_aa flexible,_aa and_aa
lack_aa good_aa communication_aa skills._aa A_aa way_aa to_aa overcome_aa these_aa
barriers_aa could_aa be_aa to_aa self-evaluate_aa and_aa look_aa outside_aa of_aa
your_a social_aa circles._aa Communicating_aa with_a people_aa who_a have _aa
different_aa opinions_aa and_aa beliefs_aa is_a a_aa useful_aa and_aa powerful_aa
thing._aa We_aa should_ not _aa narrow _ our _aa reality _aa to _ people _aa
who_aa reinforce_aa our_aa own_aa ideas._aa Echo_aa chambers_aa can_aa make_aa
us_ ignorant_ or_ unaware_ of_ the_ complexity_ of_ certain_aa
issues._aa A_aa good_aa way_aa to_a become_aa a_aa better_aa critical_aa thinker_aa
is_aa to_aa expand_aa your_aa social_aa circle.The_aa TED_aa talk_aa by_aa
Margaret_aa Heffernan_aa was_aa absolutely_aa beautiful._aa I_aa love_ the_a
relationship_aa she_aa described_aa between_aa Scientist_aa and_a Statistician._
How_aa someone_aa who_aa is_aa trying_aa to_aa disprove_aa another_aa persons_aa
work_ can_ actual_ flourish_ a_ type_ of_ admiration_ and _aa
respect_aa as_aa opposed_aa to_aa hate_aa or_aa animosity._aa I_aa also_aa love_aa
the_aa message_aa at_aa the_aa end. _aa Daring _aa to _ speak _aa up. _aa Most _a
times_aa people_aa have_aa the_aa same_aa thoughts,_aa concerns_aa and_aa
worries._aa As_aa far_aa as_aa any_aa concerns_aa or_aa confusion_aa regarding_aa
the_aa materials_aa this_aa week._ I_aa do_aa not_ have_aa any._aa Everything_aa
was_aa easy_aa to_aa comprehend_aa and_aa access._aa Critical_aa thinking_aa also_a
means_aa you_aa know_aa how_aa to_aa analyze_aa a_aa situation_aa from_aa a_aa
different_aa point_aa of_aa view_aa rather_aa than_aa being_aa completely_aa biased_aa
to_aa facts._aa there_aa are_aa many_ characteristics_aa to_aa a_aa critical_aa
thinker,_aa two_aa of_aa my_aa personal_aa favorites_aa is_aa observation_aa and_aa
determining_aa relevance_aa of_aa sources._ observation_a is_ more_aa than_aa
just_aa listening_aa in_aa on_aa the_aa conversation,_aa it_aa is_aa also_aa looking_
at_aa the_aa facts_aa and_aa where_aa those_aa facts_aa came_aa from._aa it_aa
also_aa requires_aa a_aa personal_aa outlook_aa on_aa what_a is_aa going_a on_aa
in_aa a_ situation_aa and_aa is_aa a_aa trait_aa that_aa is_aa utilized_aa in_aa
more_aa than_aa just_a critical_aa thinking._a which_aa ties_aa into_aa determining_aa
the_ relevance,_ finding_ out _aa if_ this _a information _ that _ is _aa
given_aa is_aa trustworthy_aa and_aa can_aa be_aa used_aa as_aa an_aa undoubtable_aa
fact._aa you_aa would_aa trust_aa a_ doctor_aa more_ than_aa the_aa people_aa
around_ you_ to_ give_ you_ a_ medical_ diagnosis_ on _aa
symptoms_aa you_aa may_aa have_aa for_aa an_aa illness._aa one_aa barrier_aa
that_ i_ know _aa any_ critical_ thinker _aa has _ is _ overthinking. _aa
while_aa one_aa can_aa analyze_aa facts_aa and_aa discern_aa what_aa is_aa
relative_ and_ what_ is_ biased,_ a_ critical_ thinker_ may _aa
struggle_aa with_aa finding_ these_aa facts_aa and_aa using_aa them_aa correctly._aa
another_ barrier_ is_ emotional_ thinking,_ while_ even_ though _aa
you_aa may_a want_a to_aa change_aa your_aa mind_aa based_ on_aa facts_aa
that_aa are_aa given,_aa if_aa you_aa hold_aa onto_aa a_aa belief_aa or_aa an_aa
opinion_a so_aa heartedly_aa you_ may_aa encounter_aa the_ denial_aa of _aa
facts._aa one_aa thing_aa that_aa has_aa confused_aa me_aa so_aa far_aa is_aa
the_aa stages_aa of_aa a_aa students_aa cognitive_aa development_aa in_aa the_aa
learning_aa assignment,_aa while_aa there_aa are_aa obvious_aa stages_aa to_aa
each_aa student_ I_a did_ find_ that_ many_a of _aa each_ stage _aa
has_aa even_aa applied_aa to_aa me_aa leading_aa me_aa to_aa question_aa which_aa
stage_aa I_aa am_aa in_aa for_aa my_aa cognitive_aa development._aa Even_aa
though_ there_ was_ a_ "rate_ yourself"_ questionnaire_ that _aa
helped_aa guide_aa me_aa I_aa am_aa still_aa a_aa little_aa lost_aa on_aa how_a
relevant_aa it_aa is_aa to_ me_a as_aa an_aa individual._aa Critical_aa thinking_aa
is_aa the_aa collective_aa abilities_a to_aa communicate_aa and_aa act_aa on_aa
what_aa is_aa ethically_aa and_aa morally_aa the_aa right_aa decision_ to_aa
make_ in_ difficult_ situations. _aa Critical _aa thinkers_ must_ be _aa
confident,_aa open_aa minded,_aa outspoken,_aa and_aa unafraid_aa to_ challenge_aa
authority_aa or_aa to_ be_aa challenged_aa on_aa their_aa point_aa of_aa view._aa
The_aa barriers_aa that_aa are_aa most_aa common_a are_aa narrow_aa mindedness_aa
and_aa anger._aa People_aa need_aa to_aa free_aa their_aa mind_aa to_aa see_aa
other_a people_aa perspective,_a that_aa their_a own_ way_ of_ doing _aa
things_aa or_aa decisions_aa is_aa not_aa the_aa only_aa correct_aa action._aa
People’s_aa emotions_ can _ make _aa them _aa make _ the _aa wrong _aa
decision._ People_ can_ consciously_ decide_ not_ to_ make _aa
important_aa decision_aa when_aa they_aa are_ anger._aa People_aa have_aa the_aa
ability_aa to_aa wait_aa to_aa make_aa a_aa right_aa decision_aa when_aa they_a
are_aa calm_aa and_aa collective._aa The_aa videos_aa were_aa more_aa interesting_
activity_aa than_aa reading_aa the_aa chapter_aa on_a critical_aa thinking._aa I_aa
learn_aa better_aa with_aa visual_aa aid_aa than_ just_aa reading_aa information_aa
out_ of_ a_ textbook._ The_ videos_ quickly_ and_ simply _aa
explained_ the_ concepts _aa we_ are _aa learning _aa this_ week._ I _aa
thought_aa Milgram’s_aa study_aa of_aa obedience_aa was_aa interesting,_aa that_aa
most_aa of_a the_aa test_aa subjects_aa were_aa still_aa willing_a to_ inflict_aa
pain_aa on_aa a_aa person,_aa just_aa because_aa an_aa authoritative_aa figure_aa
was_aa telling_aa them_aa to_aa do_aa it._aa People_aa are_aa conforming_aa
without_aa even_aa knowing_aa that_aa they_aa are_aa doing_aa it._aa I_aa would_aa
define_aa critical_aa thinking_ as_aa one's_ ability_a to_ analyze _a and _aa
sort_aa through_ a_aa series_aa of_aa scenarios_aa or_aa suggestions_aa before_aa
making_aa a_a decision_aa about_aa something._ To_aa me_aa critical_aa thinking_aa
is_aa like_aa having_aa a_aa machine_aa mind._aa You_aa out_aa weigh_aa the_aa
pros_aa and_aa the_aa cons_aa before_aa making_aa a_aa decision_aa about_aa a_a
thought_a that_aa came_aa to_aa mind._aa A_aa critical_aa thinker_a is_ a _aa
person_aa who_ is_aa not_aa biased._aa A_aa person_aa who_aa thinks_aa about_aa
other_aa people's_aa opinions_a and_ ideas_ is_aa a_aa critical_aa thinker._
Knowing_aa that_aa you_aa will_ not_ always_aa be_aa right_aa and_aa that_aa
it's_aa okay_aa to_aa be_aa wrong_aa defines_aa a_aa critical_a thinker_aa also._aa
For_aa me_aa I'm_aa always_aa believing_aa that_aa I'm_aa right_aa about_aa any_aa
given_a situation_aa well_aa that_ was_aa in_aa the_aa past._a That's_aa a _aa
big_aa barrier_aa when_aa it_aa comes_aa to_aa critical_aa thinking_aa though._aa
If_aa you_aa always_aa believe_aa that_aa you_aa are_aa right_aa you_aa
automatically_aa become_aa closed-minded_aa and_aa narrow-minded_aa and_ that's_aa
not_aa a_aa good_aa look._aa To_aa avoid_aa looking_aa like_aa a_aa know-it-
all_aa it's_aa best_aa to_aa just_aa be_aa quiet_aa and_aa think_aa before_aa
responding._aa Making_aa sure_aa that_aa when_aa you_ do_aa respond_aa you_aa
are_aa taking_aa into_aa consideration_aa the_aa thoughts_aa and_aa ideas_aa of_aa
others._a Critical_ thinking_a is_ the_aa ability_a to_ think_ through _aa
the_ problems_ of_ life_ and_ deal_ with_ them_ in_ a _aa
logical_aa way._aa Critical_aa thinking_aa gives_aa us_aa the_aa tools_a to_aa
resolve_aa the_aa issues_aa in_aa our_aa lives._aa Opinions_aa are_aa ours,_aa to_aa
be_aa sure,_aa but_aa it_aa takes_aa one_aa to_aa look_aa at_aa what_aa we_aa
believe_ is_ true,_ and_a not_a something_ that_ is_ somewhat _aa
true._aa Some_ of_ the_ characteristics_aa of_aa a_aa good_ critical_
thinker_aa are:_aa a_aa good_aa analyzer,_aa a_aa good_aa effective_aa communicator_aa
and_aa a_aa good_aa researcher_aa are_ all_aa helpful_aa in_ being_aa a_aa
good_aa critical_aa thinker._aa In_ being_aa an_aa effective_aa communicator_aa
also_aa involves_aa being_aa a_aa good_ listener. _aa And _ listening _aa is _aa
half_aa the_aa battle_aa to_aa understanding_aa the_aa problem._a The_aa common_a
barriers_aa to_aa critical_aa thinking_aa are_aa many._aa You_aa have_aa Resistance,_aa
as_aa well_aa as,_aa Narrow_ Mind-ness_aa to_aa mention_aa a_aa couple._aa
How_aa do_a people_aa work_aa around_aa these_aa things,_a Well,_aa that_aa
is_aa the_ $64,000_aa dollar_aa question_a isn't_aa it._aa People_aa need_aa to_aa
sit_aa down_aa and_aa work_aa through_aa these_aa problems_aa in_aa a_aa critical-
thinking_aa way._aa People_aa need_aa to_aa research_aa the_aa problem_aa and_a
get_aa the_aa right_aa facts_aa before_aa they_aa move_aa forward._aa They_aa
can_aa not_ rely_aa on_aa simple_aa opinions_aa without_aa the_ value_aa of_aa
the_aa proper_aa research_aa to_aa help_aa them_aa to_aa the_ right_aa conclusion._aa
Looking_aa at_aa what_aa we_aa had_aa to_aa learn_aa this_a week._aa I_aa
really_ enjoyed_ the_ videos_ that_ were_ presented_ to_a us. _a
They_aa were_a informative _aa in _ a _aa good _aa way. _aa The _aa reading _aa
was_aa informative,_aa but_aa was_aa long._aa I_aa thinks_a overall_aa the_
presentations_a were_a great._ Critical_aa thinking_aa is_aa learning _aa how _aa
to_aa think_aa rather_aa than_aa what_aa to_aa think._aa Critical_aa thinking_aa
provides_aa us_ with_ the _aa tools_ to_ identify _aa and _aa resolve _aa
issues._aa Some_aa characteristics_aa of_aa a_aa critical_aa thinker_aa is_aa analytical_aa
skills,_aa effective_aa communications,_aa being_aa open-minded,_aa and_aa creative_aa
thinking_aa to_aa name_aa a_aa few._aa I_aa believe_aa some_aa common_aa
barriers_aa to_a critical_aa thinking_aa is_aa being_aa biased,_aa misunderstanding,_aa
also_ having_ a_ selective_ perception._ People_ can_ overcome _aa
these_aa barriers_aa by_aa just_aa doing_aa the_aa complete_aa opposite_ meaning_
not_aa being_ biased_aa or_aa having_aa a_aa selective_aa perception_aa versus_a
being_aa those_aa ways._aa Being_aa biased_aa is_aa a_aa really_aa big_aa barrier_aa
to_aa critical_aa thinking_aa in_ my_aa opinion_a because_aa it_aa prevents_aa
people_aa from_a even_ trying_aa to_aa see_aa other_aa sides_ of_aa things_aa
or_aa the_aa potential._aa I_aa believe_aa that_aa all_aa the_aa concepts_aa i_aa
have_ learned_ is _aa interesting._ The_ activity_ and _aa readings _aa
definitely_aa helped_aa me_aa understand_aa how_aa important_aa being_aa a_a
critical_aa thinker_aa is_aa and_aa why_a it_aa is_aa so_aa important._aa Being_aa
a_aa critical_aa thinker_aa will_aa help_aa you_aa in_aa your_aa academic_aa life_aa
as_aa well_aa as_aa your_aa personal_ life._aa It_ is_aa a_aa very_ important_aa
skill_aa that_aa we_a all_aa should_aa learn._aa I_ would_ define_aa critical_aa
thinking_aa as_aa common_aa sense._ You_aa use_ critical_aa thinking_a daily_aa
when_a in _ your _aa home. _ When _a you _aa are _ at _a the _ grocery _aa
store,_aa or_ at_aa work.
Characteristics_aa of_aa a_aa critical_aa thinker_aa are_ the_aa way_aa someone_
communicates_aa either_aa verbally_aa or_aa non-verbally._aa The_aa speaker_aa is_aa
clear_aa when_aa communicating_aa a_aa thought_ or_aa need_aa making_aa the_aa
receiver_aa understanding_aa what_aa the_aa goal_aa is.
Barriers_aa to_aa critical_aa thinking_aa are_aa co-workers_aa that_aa are_aa angry_aa
and_ avoid_ job_ duties_ that_ are_ critical_ they_ complete. _aa
People_aa that_aa can_aa not_aa see_aa past_aa what_aa they_aa want_aa causes_aa
barriers_aa to_a see_aa the_aa big_a picture._aa People_ that_aa are_aa open_a
minded_aa can_a overcome_aa barriers_ once_aa they_ see_aa the_ good _aa
in_aa it._aa Using_ listening_aa skills_aa can_aa also_aa help_aa you_aa understand_aa
and_aa remove_a barriers.
The_aa learning_aa activities_aa from_aa this_ week_aa were_aa eye_aa opening._a
I_ never_ really_ gave_ it_ much_ thought_ that_ critical _aa
thinking_aa was_ used_aa making_aa a_aa grocery_aa decision_aa or_aa that_aa
we_aa used_aa verbal_aa and_aa non-verbal_aa communication_aa during_aa critical_aa
thinking._aa Knowing_aa that_aa someone_aa that_aa is_aa a_aa critical_aa thinker_aa
needs_aa clarity,_aa flexibility,_aa open_aa mindness,_aa problem_aa solving_aa
skills_aa and_aa tolerance_aa was_aa something_aa that_aa I_aa don't_a think_aa
you_ gave_ much_ thought_ about_ it_ is_ just_ something _aa
that_aa we_aa do._aa The_aa one_aa that_aa has_aa me_aa still_aa asking_aa
questions_aa is_aa Logical_aa Falicies_aa although_aa this_aa seems_aa like_ it_aa
would_aa involve_aa a_aa critical_aa thinker,_aa its_aa also _ falls _ under _aa
resistance._aa I_ would_aa define_aa critical_aa thinking_aa as_aa an_aa evaluation_
in_ decision-making_ utilizing_ one's _aa intellectual _aa abilities _aa and _aa
analyzation._aa A_aa critical_aa thinker_aa is_aa someone_aa that_aa can_aa properly_aa
make_a decisions_aa and_aa learn_a to_ overcome_ barriers_ in_ that _aa
process._aa Some_aa barriers_aa that_ critical_aa thinkers,_aa or_aa anyone,_aa
make_aa can_aa include_aa bias._aa Everyone_aa has_aa an_aa opinion_ whenever_aa
it_aa comes_aa to_ just _aa about _aa anything, _aa but _aa whenever_ a _aa
decision_aa needs_aa to_aa be_aa made,_aa sometimes_ it_ can_ be _aa
difficult_aa to_aa make_aa a_aa decision_aa with_aa the_ presence_aa of_aa bias._aa
A_aa critical_aa thinker_aa is_aa someone_aa that_aa opens_aa their_aa mind_aa
and_ may_ try_ and_a explore_a other_ options_ to_ overcome _aa
that_aa resistance.The_aa most_ important_a thing_a that_aa I_ will_ be _aa
taking_aa away_aa from_aa this_aa week's_a learning_aa activities_aa are_aa the_aa
barriers_aa that_aa may_aa restrict_ someone _aa from_ thinking _aa critically. _aa
I_aa think_aa that_aa in_aa any_ situation _aa it _aa is_ important _ to _aa
acknowledge_ barriers _aa of _aa any _aa sort _aa and _aa try_ to _aa work _aa
through_aa them._aa This_aa can_aa range_aa from_aa the_aa smallest_aa decisions,_aa
to_aa big_aa life_ decisions_aa like_aa moving_aa across_aa the_ country._aa
Practicing_aa this_aa skill_aa can_aa make_aa it_aa easier_aa over_aa time_aa to_a
think_aa more_aa critically_aa quicker_aa and_aa more_ effectively._aa I_aa would_aa
define_aa critical_aa thinking_a basically_aa as_aa the_aa ability_aa to_aa think_aa
for_a yourself_aa in_aa order_ to_aa come_aa to_a a_aa viable_aa solution _aa
or_aa judgment_aa in_ regards_aa to_aa whatever_aa issue_aa may_aa be_aa at_aa
hand._aa Critical_aa thinkers_aa are_aa open_ minded_aa people,_aa they_aa are_aa
effective_aa communicators,_aa they_aa are_ flexible_aa and_aa have_aa problem_aa
solving_ abilities. _aa Some_ things_ that_ could_ be_ considered _aa
barriers_aa to_aa critical_aa thinking,_ that_aa is_aa characteristics_ or_aa ways_aa
of_aa thinking_aa that_aa hinder_aa the_aa critical_aa thinking_aa process,_aa are_
things_aa such_aa as_aa narrow_aa mindedness,_aa conformity,_aa and_aa even_aa
pride._aa Barriers_aa to_aa critical_aa thinking_aa can_aa be_aa overcome_aa by_aa
being_aa willing_a to_aa do_aa the_aa research,_aa ask_aa the_aa next_aa question;_aa
for_aa instance_aa asking_aa then_aa what,_ why_aa or_aa what_ next?_aa Of_aa
course,_aa you_aa have_aa to_aa be_aa able_aa to_aa get_aa over_aa the_aa
laziness_a hurdle _a in _aa order _ to _aa do _aa the _aa research _aa or _a ask _aa
the_ questions._ You_ have_ to_a be_ willing_ to_ go_ all _
the_aa way_aa to_aa the_aa root_aa of_aa the_aa problem_aa in_aa order_aa to_aa
most_aa effectively_aa work_aa through_ it._ The_ most_ interesting _aa
thing_aa I_aa relearned_aa this_aa week_aa was_aa the_aa characteristics_aa that_aa
were_aa common_aa among_aa critical_aa thinkers,_aa the_aa different_aa barriers_aa
to_aa critical_aa thinking._aa I_aa enjoyed_aa the_aa videos_aa that_aa were_aa in_aa
the_aa learning_aa activities_aa this_aa week._aa Everyone,_aa as_aa critical_aa
thinkers,_aa one_aa of_aa the_aa first_aa things_aa we_a must_ do_aa is_a to_aa
recognize_aa and_aa remove_aa the_aa barriers_aa in_aa our_aa thinking._aa This_aa
is_aa not_aa pleasant_aa to_aa do!_aa Suddenly,_aa we_aa are_aa asked_aa to_aa
look_aa at_aa ourselves_aa under_aa a_aa critical_aa microscope._aa We_aa may_aa
have_aa always_aa thought_aa of_aa ourselves_aa as_aa open-minded._aa Yet,_aa
most_aa of_aa us_aa really_aa are_aa not._aa While_aa we_aa may_aa be_ very_aa
accepting_aa of_aa some_aa lines_aa of_aa thought,_aa we_aa are_aa closed_aa to_aa
other_aa lines._aa Recognizing_aa and_aa removing_ barriers_aa will_aa not_aa
be_aa easy;_aa however,_aa it_aa is_a quite_aa worth_aa the_aa effort!_aa Once_aa
we_aa begin_aa to_aa recognize_aa our_aa barriers,_aa we_aa can_aa take_aa steps_aa
to_ remove_ them._ I_ do_ understand_ that_ it _aa can_a be _aa
difficult_aa to_aa set_aa aside_aa emotion,_a biases,_aa and_aa personal_aa opinions_aa
about_aa topics;_aa however,_aa if_aa you_aa are_aa intentional_aa with_
developing_aa your_a critical_aa thinking_aa skills,_aa setting_aa aside_aa emotions,_aa
biases,_aa and_aa opinions_aa will_aa be_aa easy_aa to_aa do._aa The_a first_aa
step_aa is_aa to_aa recognize_aa when_aa you_aa are_aa thinking_aa about_aa
something_aa and_aa those_aa elements_aa are_aa present._aa Gathering_aa credible_aa
information_a can_aa also_ help_aa with_ being_ objective_aa and_aa is, _aa
of_aa course,_aa necessary_aa in_aa critical_aa thinking.
