Criticalzz thinkingzz tozz mezz iszz definedzz aszz thezz abilityzz tozz usezz thezz knowledgezz
wezz havezz tozz makezz decisionzz inzz ourzz everydayzz life,zz logicallyzz thinkingzz
basedzz omzz evidencezz andzz evaluatingzz situationszz tozz resolvezz issues.zz Criticalzz
thinkingzz iszz basicallyzz intelligentzz thinkingzz vs.zz whatzz youzz think.zz Characteristicszz
ofzz azz criticalzz thinkerzz iszz beingzz openzz minded,zz providingzz logicalzz supportzz
vs.zz relyingzz opinions,zz beingzz azz goodzz communicatorzz whetherzz itszz verbalzz
,writtenzz orzz justzz listeningzz .Azz goodzz criticalzz thinkerzz leaveszz feelingzz outzz
ofzz decisionzz makingzz andzz usezz supportingzz evidencezz beforezz azz decisionszz arezz
made.zz Tozz overcomezz orzz avoidzz barrierszz youzz havezz tozz analysiszz allzz
situationszz andzz usezz yourzz firstzz handzz experiencezz experienceszz tozz yourzz
decisionzz makingzz ,zz Interpretzz allzz aspectszz whilezz thinkingzz .zz Howeverzz youzz
wantzz tozz avoidzz allzz assumptionszz andzz rumorszz andzz basedzz onzz personalzz
beliefszz andzz thinkzz withzz researchzz availzz tozz explorezz andzz makezz thezz bestzz
decisionzz basedzz onzz facts.zz Whatzz Izz learnedzz thiszz weekzz iszz tozz usezz yourzz
resourceszz thatzz arezz providezz andzz thosezz thatzz youzz arezz surroundedzz byzz thatzz
makeszz youzz criticallyzz thinkzz aboutzz yourzz nextzz movezz andzz neverzz movezz onzz
instinct.zz Izz wouldzz definezz criticalzz thinkingzz aszz thezz abilityzz tozz analyzezz allzz
aspectszz ofzz anzz issuezz andzz makezz azz decisionzz basedzz offzz ofzz factszz andzz
allzz availablezz information.zz Somezz characteristicszz ofzz azz criticalzz thinkerzz arezz
thezz abilityzz tozz leavezz biasedzz andzz emotionszz outzz ofzz thezz decisionzz andzz
thezz willingnesszz tozz hearzz allzz sideszz ofzz anzz aurgument.zz Commonzz barrierszz
tozz criticalzz thinkingzz arezz azz personszz emotions,zz thezz personalzz opinions,zz andzz
thezz biasedzz onzz azz topiczz thatzz theyzz alreadyzz have.zz Emotions,zz opinions,zz andzz
biaseszz arezz allzz tiedzz together.zz Ifzz someonezz makeszz decisionszz basedzz onlyzz
onzz emotions,zz theyzz willzz neverzz wantzz tozz hearzz orzz acceptzz anyzz factszz orzz
truthszz thatzz gozz againstzz whatzz theyzz alreadyzz decidedzz whatzz iszz correct.zz Theyzz
willzz neverzz wantzz tozz hearzz whatzz thezz factszz orzz andzz theyzz willzz neverzz
acceptzz whatzz thezz truthzz actuallyzz is.zz Thezz easiestzz wayzz thatzz Izz havezz foundzz
tozz overcomezz thezz barrierszz ofzz criticalzz thinkingzz iszz tozz tryzz tozz alwayszz
keepzz andzz openzz mind.zz Thezz morezz openmindedzz azz personzz is,zz thezz morezz
likelyzz theyzz arezz tozz wantzz tozz hearzz allzz thezz factszz aboutzz everythingzz theyzz
wantzz tozz knowzz about.zz Also,zz doingzz yourzz ownzz researchzz aboutzz thingszz iszz
anotherzz greatzz wayzz tozz overcomezz thezz barrierszz thatzz keepzz peoplezz fromzz
beingzz azz criticalzz thinker.zz Whenzz Izz dozz myzz ownzz research,zz Izz amzz ablezz
tozz findzz eitherzz factszz orzz opinionszz onzz bothzz sideszz ofzz azz topic.zz But,zz thezz
factszz shouldzz alwayszz bezz morezz importantzz thenzz otherzz peopleszz opinionzz aboutzz
everyzz topiczz someonezz willzz encounter.zz Criticalzz thinkingzz meanszz tozz mezz
beingzz ablezz tozz judgezz whatzz iszz azz rightzz orzz wrongzz lifezz decisionzz andzz
understandingzz whatzz iszz rightzz andzz wrongzz inzz arguments.zz Somezz characteristicszz
ofzz azz criticalzz thinkerzz wouldzz bezz someonezz whozz haszz goodzz effectivezz
communicationzz skills,zz analyticzz skillszz goodzz researchzz andzz inquiryzz skillszz
flexibilityzz andzz tolerancezz tozz ambiguityzz alsozz openzz minded.zz Somezz commonzz
barrierszz mightzz bezz beingzz openzz mindedzz andzz notzz knowingzz howzz tozz makezz
thezz rightzz choicezz inzz anzz argumentzz orzz knowingzz whatzz iszz rightzz orzz wrongzz
inzz azz decisionzz inzz life.zz Somezz commonzz wayszz tozz overcomezz thosezz barrierszz
mightzz bezz focusingzz onzz onezz decisionzz atzz azz timezz andzz tryingzz harderzz tozz
bezz morezz openzz mindedzz andzz listeningzz tozz someonezz elsezz opinionzz alsozz notzz
beingzz stuckzz onzz thezz factzz thatzz yourzz alwayszz right.zz Alsozz tryzz andzz figurezz
outzz howzz tozz makezz azz situationzz better.zz Whatzz expandedzz myzz ideaszz aboutzz
beingzz azz criticalzz thinkerzz waszz howzz importantzz itzz iszz inzz everydayzz lifezz tozz
bezz openzz mindedzz andzz anzz effectivezz communicationzz inzz orderzz tozz makezz
lifezz decisions.zz Izz alsozz learnedzz thatzz sometimeszz you'rezz notzz alwayszz rightzz
inzz anzz argument.zz Criticalzz thinkingzz iszz thezz studyzz ofzz methodszz usedzz tozz
determinezz betweenzz goodzz andzz badzz arguments.zz Mostzz criticalzz thinkerszz willzz
havezz goodzz analyticalzz skills,zz ablezz tozz communicatezz effectively,zz havezz goodzz
researchzz andzz inquiryzz skills,zz flexibilityzz andzz tolerancezz forzz alternativezz
solutions,zz aszz wellzz aszz anzz openzz mind.zz Somezz commonzz barrierszz arezz
avoidance,zz cliches,zz andzz strugglingzz tozz comezz tozz azz decision.Tozz overcomezz
thesezz wezz havezz tozz actzz tozz overcomezz somezz ofzz thesezz obstacles.zz Ifzz peoplezz
arezz tryingzz tozz avoidzz somezz topicszz orzz problemszz theyzz willzz probablyzz wantzz
tozz workzz onzz confrontingzz thosezz thingszz thatzz theyzz arezz avoiding.zz Ifzz therezz
iszz azz strugglezz tozz findingzz anzz answerzz andzz actzz onzz it,zz itzz mayzz bezz bestzz
tozz takezz thezz stepzz tozz settlezz onzz whatzz thezz bestzz possiblezz outcomezz willzz
bezz andzz workzz towardzz thatzz solution.zz Finally,zz keepzz awayzz fromzz fallingzz
victimzz tozz cliches,zz theyzz mayzz causezz azz worsezz problemzz thanzz avoidingzz itzz
allzz together.Izz noticedzz thatzz Izz havezz developedzz azz fewzz ofzz thezz traitszz
mentionedzz forzz criticalzz thinkingzz justzz byzz goingzz tozz work.zz Izz amzz inzz thezz
managementzz teamzz atzz myzz localzz retailerzz andzz Izz havezz hadzz plentyzz ofzz
opportunityzz tozz developzz andzz practicezz onzz myzz criticalzz thinkingzz whenzz itzz
comeszz tozz makingzz somezz toughzz decisions.zz Izz wouldzz definezz criticalzz thinkingzz
aszz thezz abilityzz tozz givezz betterzz judgement.zz Whenzz Izz sayzz givezz betterzz
judgement,zz I’mzz referringzz tozz thezz factzz thatzz youzz mayzz havezz experiencezz orzz
betterzz knowledgezz ofzz thezz situationzz orzz azz betterzz wayzz ofzz communication.zz
Thiszz willzz leadzz azz personzz tozz examine,zz reason,zz andzz thinkzz aboutzz thezz
processzz andzz executezz whateverzz itzz mayzz be.Onezz characteristiczz ofzz beingzz azz
criticalzz thinkerzz iszz thezz abilityzz tozz bezz confidentzz inzz yourzz ownzz ideaszz orzz
beliefs.zz Anotherzz characteristiczz ofzz beingzz azz criticalzz thinkerzz iszz understandingzz
anzz opinionzz ofzz anotherzz person.zz Whatzz seemszz tozz bezz azz commonzz barrierzz
whenzz itzz comeszz tozz criticalzz thinkingzz iszz notzz beingzz reasonable.zz Oncezz azz
personzz iszz confidentzz inzz whatzz theyzz believe,zz itzz canzz bezz azz challengezz tozz
understandzz anotherzz person’szz pointzz ofzz viewzz orzz openzz upzz tozz azz differentzz
belief.zz Peoplezz canzz overcomezz thatzz barrierzz byzz tryingzz tozz havezz anzz openzz
mindzz andzz notzz bezz secludedzz orzz remainzz believingzz whatzz theyzz believezz iszz
thezz onlyzz thingzz therezz is.zz Oncezz azz personzz iszz openzz minded,zz theyzz willzz
bezz morezz understandingzz andzz bezz openzz tozz tryingzz orzz learningzz morezz onzz
whateverzz itzz mayzz be.zz Wellzz Izz didzz somezz researchzz onzz criticalzz thinkingzz
andzz Izz findzz thatzz Izz havezz alwayszz beenzz azz criticalzz thinker.zz Izz lookzz atzz
myzz pointzz ofzz viewzz ofzz course,zz butzz Izz alwayszz tryzz tozz reasonzz withzz thezz
nextzz personzz andzz havezz anzz openzz mindzz onzz whatzz theyzz arezz believing.zz
Criticalzz thinkingzz iszz thezz artzz ofzz communicationzz andzz brainstormingzz factualzz
evidence,zz notzz allzz thezz timezz butzz azz goodzz amountzz ofzz time.zz Althoughzz Izz
amzz notinzz chargezz ofzz myzz operationzz Izz stronglyzz believezz inzz teamwork.zz Inzz
orderzz tozz getzz azz betterzz functioningzz housezz onezz mustzz gozz tozz workzz andzz
that’szz allzz shezz wrote,zz mentally,zz physically,zz excatlyzz howzz thingszz arezz seenzz
viazz entertainmentzz andzz gossipzz .zz Izz willzz statezz againzz andzz allzz personnel,zz
andzz sidezz chickszz havezz tozz go.zz Izz wouldzz definezz criticalzz thinkingzz aszz thezz
abilityzz tozz probezz allzz informationzz open-mindedzz andzz thenzz makezz azz reasonedzz
judgment.zz Youzz mustzz bezz ablezz tozz evaluationzz allzz thezz sources,zz data,zz facts,zz
evidentzz singularitieszz andzz researchedzz findings.
Azz goodzz criticalzz thinkerzz mustzz bezz ablezz tozz communicatezz effectively.zz Thiszz
includeszz beingzz ablezz tozz write,zz speakzz andzz listen.zz Criticalzz thinkerszz havezz
goodzz analyticalzz skills.zz Thatzz includeszz beingzz ablezz tozz evaluatezz andzz providezz
reasonablezz backingzz forzz yourzz views.zz Analyticalzz skillszz arezz alsozz importantzz
inzz identifyingzz andzz assessingzz otherzz people’szz opinions.
Selfzz centeredzz naturezz orzz conductzz iszz azz normalzz tendencyzz andzz iszz manyzz
azz timezz hardzz tozz change.zz Thiszz barrierzz willzz makezz youzz thinkzz aboutzz
yourselfzz andzz causeszz youzz tozz bezz unablezz tozz empathizezz withzz others.zz Ourzz
egozz canzz bezz thezz mostzz importantzz barrierzz whenzz itzz comeszz tozz criticalzz
thinking.zz Anotherzz barrierzz iszz resistance,zz andzz narrowzz mindedness.zz Izz believezz
thatzz stresszz iszz azz hugezz barrierzz thatzz cloudszz yourzz abilityzz tozz thinkzz
critically.zz Criticalzz thinkingzz nowzz inzz dayszz iszz hardzz tozz applyzz inzz ourzz
dailyzz lives.zz Itzz haszz becomezz azz barrierzz aszz wezz typicallyzz relyzz onzz
technologyzz tozz thinkzz forzz us.zz Criticalzz thinkingzz iszz tozz bezz ablezz tozz seezz
thingszz inzz differentzz wayszz andzz bezz ablezz tozz analyzezz withzz ideaszz andzz
distinguishzz withzz ideas.zz Aszz forzz uszz oncezz wezz comezz tozz azz problemzz inzz
tozz providezz ideaszz wezz runzz tozz thezz internetzz tozz findzz thezz solutionzz forzz
us.zz Thiszz haszz limitedzz ourzz criticalzz thinkingzz abilityzz tozz relyzz onzz otherzz
(technology)zz tozz dozz itzz forzz us.zz Wezz canzz tryzz tozz overcomingzz thiszz byzz
avoidzz thiszz andzz tryzz tozz takezz morezz timezz inzz thinkingzz andzz seezz whatzz
otherzz optionszz therezz is.zz Thiszz willzz helpszz uszz seezz thingszz morezz openedzz
thatzz whatzz wezz mightzz seezz inzz thezz internet.zz Wezz arezz slowlyzz movingzz awayzz
fromzz thiszz andzz itzz alsozz affectszz ourzz communicationzz withzz people,zz thezz lesszz
wezz communicatezz thezz lesszz wezz arezz ablezz tozz socialize.zz Thiszz weekszz readingzz
makeszz youzz realizezz howzz thingszz changezz withzz timezz andzz howzz wezz arezz
avoidingzz certainzz thingszz tozz makezz ourzz liveszz easier.zz Criticalzz thinkingzz meanszz
amongzz otherzz thingszz aszz thezz abilityzz tozz judgezz inzz azz morezz preparedzz formzz
notzz justzz thinkzz becausezz everybodyzz elsezz doeszz itzz butzz askingzz whyzz dozz
wezz havezz tozz dozz itzz notzz justzz becausezz itzz haszz alwayszz beenzz donezz onezz
wayzz itzz iszz thezz onlyzz possiblezz wayzz ofzz doingzz it,zz forzz examplezz inzz
manufacturingzz therezz iszz azz Japanesezz wordzz usezz "kaizen"zz whichzz meanszz
continuouszz improvementzz andzz itzz requireszz criticalzz thinkingzz onezz barrierzz thatzz
thiszz wordzz usuallyzz fightszz againstzz iszz "whyzz fixedzz ifzz itzz iszz notzz broken"zz
wezz fixedzz itzz notzz becausezz itzz iszz brokenzz butzz becausezz wezz wantzz tozz makezz
itzz betterzz andzz criticalzz thinkingzz comeszz intozz playzz becausezz thiszz meanszz thatzz
therezz iszz alwayszz roomzz forzz improvement,zz Izz believezz onezz ofzz thezz biggestzz
barrierszz iszz goingzz againstzz whatzz everybodyzz thinkszz iszz correctzz andzz notzz
thinkingzz outsidezz thezz box,zz azz criticalzz thinkerzz haszz morezz effectivezz
communicationzz skillszz thanzz otherszz becausezz itzz iszz morezz preparedzz inzz anyzz
givenzz subject,zz tendszz tozz analysezz betterzz thereforezz morezz successfulzz becausezz
planszz betterzz everyzz singlezz movezz andzz beingzz contentzz azz criticalzz thinkerzz
alwayszz wantszz more.zz zz Basedzz onzz thiszz week'szz readingzz andzz activities,zz Izz
wouldzz definezz criticalzz thinkingzz aszz makingzz azz decisionzz onzz thingszz orzz
peoplezz atzz thezz dropzz ofzz azz hatzz inzz azz setzz amountzz ofzz timezz thatzz arezz
importantzz andzz imperativezz tozz thezz situationzz inzz frontzz ofzz you.zz Somezz
characteristicszz ofzz criticalzz thinkerszz arezz beingzz creative,zz havingzz flexibility,zz
beingzz openzz mindedzz andzz communicatingzz well.zz Somezz commonzz barrierszz tozz
criticalzz thinkingzz Izz feelzz arezz notzz beingzz openzz mindedzz enough,zz notzz trustingzz
yourzz ownzz abilityzz tozz thinkzz somethingzz throughzz andzz notzz stayingzz focused.zz
Peoplezz canzz overcomezz andzz possiblyzz avoidzz thesezz barrierszz byzz allowingzz
themselveszz tozz bezz honestzz withzz theirzz selfzz ifzz theyzz arezz notzz focusedzz andzz
retainingzz importantzz informationzz thatzz mayzz bezz needed.zz Theyzz alsozz canzz findzz
wayszz tozz openzz theirzz mindszz upzz tozz otherzz people’szz ideaszz andzz thoughtszz
andzz comparezz andzz makezz azz solidzz decision.zz Inzz thezz readingzz thiszz week,zz
Izz foundzz thatzz studyingzz andzz understandingzz thatzz therezz arezz threezz levelszz tozz
criticalzz thinkingzz expandedzz myzz thoughtszz onzz criticalzz thinking.zz Izz waszz notzz
awarezz ofzz this.zz Izz gotzz azz betterzz understandingzz aszz Izz readzz itzz andzz itzz
madezz perfectzz sensezz becausezz ifzz youzz dozz notzz allowzz allzz threezz levelszz tozz
happenzz youzz can’tzz actuallyzz comezz upzz withzz azz factualzz outcome.zz Thatzz
wouldzz bezz cheatingzz yourself.zz Criticalzz thinkingzz iszz one'szz abilityzz tozz thoroughlyzz
analyzezz azz situationzz usingzz skillszz ofzz evaluationzz andzz thezz processzz ofzz
elimination.zz Criticalzz thinkingzz challengeszz yourzz mindzz tozz seezz pastzz whatzz iszz
presentedzz andzz readzz betweenzz thezz lines.zz Onezz commonzz barrierzz tozz criticalzz
thinkingzz wouldzz bezz beingzz closedzz minded.zz Izz thinkzz thatzz youzz havezz tozz
bezz openzz mindedzz andzz ablezz tozz analyzezz thingszz fromzz morezz thanzz justzz
onezz perspective.zz Anotherzz barrierzz ofzz criticalzz thinkingzz Izz thinkzz wouldzz bezz
goingzz offzz ofzz anzz intuitivezz feeling/zz gutzz feeling.zz Izz thinkzz havingzz azz hunchzz
aboutzz somethingzz limitszz yourzz open-mindedzz thinking.zz Izz wouldzz recommendzz
continuouszz practicezz ofzz criticalzz thinking.zz Thezz morezz thezz skillzz iszz exercised,zz
thezz betterzz onezz willzz getzz atzz thezz processzz ofzz it.zz Izz readzz thatzz experiencezz
iszz thezz foundationzz ofzz criticalzz thinking.zz Narrow-Mindednesszz andzz thezz fearzz
ofzz challengezz stoodzz outzz tozz me.zz Aszz Izz readzz more,zz Izz learnedzz thatzz
peoplezz withzz lowzz self-esteemzz resistzz information.zz Itzz makeszz sensezz becausezz
itzz iszz importantzz tozz bezz confidentzz inzz yourzz belief.zz Itzz waszz statedzz thatzz
onezz withzz azz lowzz self-esteemzz mayzz viewzz opposingzz tozz anyzz evidencezz aszz
azz personalzz attack.zz Criticalzz thinkingzz iszz azz wayzz ofzz thinkingzz whenzz youzz
thinkzz thingszz throughzz tozz makezz reasonablezz judgments.zz Youzz don’tzz simplyzz
acceptzz azz conclusionzz butzz youzz questionzz it.Criticalzz thinkerszz arezz wellzz
informed,zz open-minded,zz attentivezz andzz creativezz andzz havezz strongzz problem-zz
solvingzz skills.zz Commonzz barrierszz tozz criticalzz thinkingzz includezz avoidance,zz
denial,zz anger,zz ignorance,zz rationalization,zz andzz narrow-mindedness,zz lackzz ofzz
self-confidence,Wayszz tozz avoidzz thezz barrierzz ofzz criticalzz thinkingzz includezz
learningzz notzz tozz acceptzz statementszz aszz factzz withoutzz askingzz morezz questions.zz
Youzz havezz tozz beginzz tozz tozz makezz assessmentszz andzz learnzz tozz research.zz
Forzz examplezz ifzz presentedzz withzz researchzz orzz studyzz results,zz findzz outzz whozz
didzz thezz researchzz orzz whozz waszz includedzz inzz thezz studies.zz Also,zz openzz
yourzz mindzz whenzz beingzz presentedzz withzz differentzz sideszz ofzz azz topic.zz Tryzz
notzz tozz focuszz onzz justzz thezz informationzz thatzz supportszz yourzz stance.Izz waszz
surprisedzz tozz findzz inzz thezz readingzz assignmentszz ,zz tozz findzz thatzz self-esteemzz
playedzz suchzz azz largezz rolezz inzz criticalzz thinkingzz butzz itzz makeszz sense.zz Izz
canzz thinkzz ofzz severalzz timeszz when,zz becausezz Izz waszz unsurezz orzz confidentzz
inzz myzz stance,zz thatzz Izz keptzz myzz opinionzz tozz myselfzz andzz avoidedzz talkingzz
aboutzz thezz issues.zz Beingzz openzz tozz viewingzz multiplezz perceptions/pointzz ofzz
views,zz evaluatezz thezz situation,zz plan,zz andzz resolve.zz Whenzz you'rezz azz criticalzz
thinker,zz youzz mustzz notzz takezz thingszz atzz facezz value.zz Lookingzz deeperzz intozz
things,zz evaluatingzz yourzz ownzz thoughtszz andzz thoughtszz ofzz others,zz andzz
thinkingzz logicallyzz (notzz emotionally)zz arezz somezz thingszz thatzz criticalzz thinkerszz
do.Therezz arezz somezz barrierszz tozz criticalzz thinking.zz Izz thinkzz thezz "ego"zz iszz
azz hugezz barrierzz andzz arguablyzz thezz biggestzz barrier.zz Itzz mayzz bezz hardzz forzz
somezz peoplezz tozz dropzz theirzz egozz andzz challengezz themselveszz tozz thinkzz
differentlyzz -zz challengezz themselveszz tozz understandzz someonezz else'szz pointzz ofzz
view.zz Thiszz iszz anzz issuezz forzz thosezz folkszz becausezz it'szz difficultzz forzz themzz
tozz understandzz thatzz theyzz arezz wrongzz aboutzz something.zz Tozz overcomezz thiszz
barrier,zz onezz wouldzz needzz tozz learnzz howzz tozz bezz humblezz orzz potentiallyzz
gozz tozz counselingzz tozz learnzz howzz tozz shedzz thezz egozz (somethingzz Izz didzz
yearszz agozz andzz itzz waszz extremelyzz beneficialzz tozz manyzz aspectszz ofzz myzz
life).
Izz thoughtzz thezz cognitivezz developmentzz sectionzz waszz valuable.zz Morezz
specifically,zz comingzz upzz withzz exampleszz forzz eachzz ofzz thezz stageszz listed:zz
Dualism,zz Relativism,zz andzz Commitment.zz Criticalzz thinkingzz iszz thezz abilityzz forzz
anzz individualzz tozz usezz thezz skillszz theyzz possesszz tozz makezz logicalzz decisionszz
andzz actzz onzz thosezz decisionszz byzz developingzz azz planzz ofzz action.zz Knowledgezz
andzz skillszz neededzz tozz facezz thezz challengeszz inzz yourzz industry.zz Inzz orderzz
tozz bezz awarezz ofzz theirzz surroundings,zz criticalzz thinkerszz arezz constantlyzz
observingzz andzz assessingzz differentzz situations.zz Theyzz alsozz arezz ablezz evaluatezz
thesezz situationszz inzz orderzz tozz findzz theirzz ownzz planzz ofzz action.zz Criticalzz
thinkerszz awarezz ofzz theirzz ownzz thoughtszz andzz arezz confidentzz inzz theirzz ownzz
opinionszz butzz arezz alsozz openzz tozz otherszz opinions.zz However,zz theyzz stillzz
questionzz theirzz own,zz andzz otherszz opinionszz inzz orderzz tozz makezz thezz mostzz
accuratezz judgments.zz Lastzz butzz notzz least,zz theyzz arezz ablezz tozz lookzz pastzz
nowzz andzz makezz decisionszz basedzz onzz whatzz willzz bezz bestzz forzz thezz future.zz
Onezz ofzz thezz biggestzz barrierszz tozz criticalzz thinkingzz iszz self-confidence.zz Ifzz
onezz doeszz notzz possesszz confidencezz tozz interjectzz theirzz opinionzz andzz thoughtszz
intozz discussionszz andzz everydayzz life,zz theyzz willzz neverzz bezz criticalzz thinkers.zz
Ifzz onezz doeszz notzz havezz confidencezz inzz themselveszz theyzz willzz alsozz notzz
believezz thatzz theirzz opinionszz arezz correctzz becausezz theyzz thinkzz theyzz arezz notzz
goodzz enoughzz tozz producezz logicalzz thoughtszz andzz opinions.zz Self-confidencezz
iszz azz hardzz skillzz tozz develop.zz Itzz takeszz timezz andzz patience,zz butzz itzz iszz
azz skillzz thatzz onezz willzz needzz tozz becomezz azz criticalzz thinker.zz Inzz orderzz
tozz overcomezz self-doubtzz orzz azz lackzz ofzz self-confidence,zz onezz mustzz developzz
azz growthzz mindset.zz Azz growthzz mindsetzz allowszz onezz tozz recognizezz theirzz
weaknesseszz andzz havezz thezz mindsetzz thatzz thezz weaknesszz canzz getzz betterzz
andzz better,zz untilzz itzz iszz azz strength.zz Withzz thezz growthzz mindset,zz onezz mustzz
startzz tozz believezz thatzz onezz dayzz theyzz canzz bezz confidentzz inzz themselves.zz
Onezz Greatzz wayzz tozz developzz selfzz confidencezz iszz affirmationzz inzz oneself.zz
Everyzz dayzz azz personzz willzz lookzz themselveszz inzz thezz mirrorzz andzz tellzz
themselveszz thatzz heyzz arezz confidentzz inzz themselves.zz Ifzz thatzz thoughtzz iszz
constantlyzz inzz oneszz mind,zz theyzz willzz becomezz that.Thezz readingzz onzz cognitivezz
developmentzz helpedzz expandzz myzz knowledgezz ofzz criticalzz thinking.zz Izz foundzz
outzz thatzz Izz amzz inzz thezz stagezz ofzz transitionzz tozz commitment.zz Izz knewzz
peoplezz problemzz solvedzz inzz differentzz ways,zz butzz Izz didn’tzz knowzz thatzz thiszz
iszz azz stagezz ofzz cognitivezz development.zz Becausezz Izz amzz divingzz furtherzz intozz
criticalzz thinkingzz andzz intozz azz collegezz career,zz Izz willzz soonzz bezz tozz thezz
thirdzz stagezz ofzz cognitivezz development.zz Criticalzz thinkingzz iszz azz thoughtzz
processzz thatzz iszz basedzz aroundzz evidencezz thatzz iszz notzz physicallyzz presentedzz
inzz thezz topic.zz Izz likezz tozz thinkzz ofzz criticalzz thinkingzz aszz "readingzz betweenzz
thezz lines".zz Inzz almostzz anyzz situation,zz therezz iszz morezz tozz understandzz thanzz
exactlyzz whatzz iszz saidzz inzz thezz firstzz place.zz Whetherzz itzz iszz findingzz anzz
underlyingzz meaning,zz azz connectionzz tozz bezz made,zz orzz problemzz tozz bezz
solved,zz criticalzz thinkingzz iszz justzz goingzz beneathzz thezz surfacezz tozz fullyzz
understandzz thezz topiczz atzz hand.zz Tozz becomezz azz truezz criticalzz thinker,zz onezz
mustzz havezz attributeszz ofzz analyticalzz thinkingzz aszz wellzz aszz azz greatzz
understandingzz ofzz languagezz andzz tonezz ofzz voice.zz Azz greatzz wayzz tozz testzz
someoneszz criticalzz thinkingzz iszz azz riddle.zz Thezz wholezz pointzz ofzz azz riddlezz
iszz tozz listenzz andzz tryzz tozz lookzz atzz thezz questionzz inzz azz differentzz light,zz
orzz thinkzz aboutzz howzz connectionszz tozz bezz madezz thatzz arezz notzz readilyzz
apparent.zz Inzz thezz TEDzz talkzz fromzz thiszz week,zz Margaretzz talkszz aboutzz howzz
twozz peoplezz withzz twozz veryzz differentzz personalities,zz whichzz leadszz tozz differentzz
wayszz ofzz thinking,zz arezz ablezz tozz workzz wellzz together.zz Havingzz anotherzz setzz
ofzz eyeszz onzz azz piecezz ofzz workzz makeszz itzz easierzz tozz spotzz inconsistencieszz
orzz issueszz thatzz onezz personzz mayzz notzz havezz pickedzz upzz originally.zz Someonezz
whozz iszz azz greatzz criticalzz thinkerzz iszz ablezz tozz lookzz atzz somethingzz aszz ifzz
theyzz hadzz anotherzz setzz ofzz eyeszz andzz stillzz getzz thezz samezz resultszz aszz twozz
peoplezz workingzz onzz itzz would.zz Criticalzz thinkingzz iszz azz wayzz ofzz thinkingzz
aboutzz anyzz topiczz andzz usingzz evidencezz andzz analyzingzz itzz withzz logicalzz
supportzz tozz formzz judgmentzz ofzz beliefzz orzz action.Somezz characteristicszz thatzz
azz criticalzz thinkerzz shouldzz havezz goodzz analyticalzz skills,zz effectivezz
communicationzz skills,zz participatezz inzz collaborativezz learningzz andzz open-mindedzz
scepticism.zz Somezz commonzz barrierszz tozz criticalzz thinkingzz arezz resistancezz andzz
narrowmindedness.zz Resistancezz iszz thezz repeatedzz usezz ofzz prematurezz defensezz
mechanismszz whenzz yourzz viewpointzz iszz argued.zz Somezz typeszz ofzz resistancezz
includezz avoidance,zz conformity,zz andzz denial.zz Narrow-mindednesszz iszz thezz
inabilityzz tozz changezz yourzz beliefzz orzz views.zz Somezz typeszz ofzz zz nrrowzz
mindednesszz includezz egocentrism,zz fearzz ofzz challenge,zz andzz absolutism.zz Somezz
wayszz tozz overcomezz orzz avoidzz thesezz barrierszz arezz tozz thinkzz forzz yourself,zz
evaluatezz existingzz evidence,zz andzz questionzz things.zz Somethingzz thatzz expandedzz
myzz ideaszz aboutzz criticalzz thinkingzz thiszz weekzz waszz thezz milgramzz experimentzz
andzz thezz Stanfordzz Prisonzz experiment.zz Thesezz experimentszz showedzz mezz thatzz
withoutzz goodzz criticalzz thinkingzz skillszz wezz arezz morezz likelyzz tozz listenzz tozz
authorityzz figures.zz Wezz mightzz thinkzz authorityzz figureszz arezz alwayszz right,zz
andzz wezz shouldzz dozz whatzz theyzz wantzz withoutzz askingzz questionszz orzz
challengingzz them.zz Criticalzz thinkingzz iszz thezz abilityzz tozz evaluate,zz organizezz
andzz developzz azz plan,zz tozz resolvezz challengeszz thatzz arise.zz Itzz provideszz thezz
toolszz tozz helpzz developzz thezz skillszz neededzz tozz makezz decisionszz withzz thoughtzz
andzz effectivenesszz tozz stimulatezz self-developmentzz byzz encompassingzz reasoningzz
andzz rationality.zz Azz criticalzz thinkerzz haszz developedzz severalzz distinctivezz
characteristics.zz Theyzz havezz thezz capabilityzz tozz differentiatezz opinionszz fromzz
truthszz analyzingzz thezz situation.zz Anotherzz characteristiczz iszz thezz abilityzz tozz
listen,zz gatherzz andzz evaluatezz thezz informationzz byzz usingzz effectivezz
communication.zz Azz criticalzz thinkerzz mustzz alsozz bezz flexiblezz andzz openzz
mindedzz tozz assesszz challengeszz fromzz differentzz views.zz Criticalzz thinkingzz doeszz
notzz lackzz barriers.zz Manyzz individualszz arezz resistantzz tozz change.zz Theyzz believezz
inzz thezz phrasezz “Ifzz itzz isn’tzz broke,zz itzz doesn’tzz needzz fixing”.zz Otherzz
individualszz arezz non-confrontational.zz Theyzz wouldzz ratherzz remainzz silentzz thanzz
challengezz azz view.zz Additionally,zz stresszz iszz anotherzz barrierzz thatzz limitszz thezz
abilityzz tozz evaluatezz azz situationzz andzz makezz azz soundzz decision.zz Tozz overcomezz
thesezz barrierszz individualszz needzz tozz investzz inzz thezz developmentzz ofzz healthyzz