Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking

January 31, 2010

Abstract

Critical thinking has many components, but it is nothing more than the development of problem-solving skills that result in knowledge that can be reliable and repeatable for solving future problems. Critical thinking offers many benefits and is comprised of five basic phases. The full cycle of critical thinking involves a trigger event or problem, an evaluation of the problem, exploration of the problem, identifying alternatives, and integrating new ideas to form the solution. It is a way of analyzing and evaluating problems in such a way that an individual's own ideas, culture, and emotions remain neutral. Critical thinking involves effective communication and a commitment to overcome that natural tendency to solve problems based entirely on our own experiences.

Critical Thinking

21st Century Lexicon defines critical thinking as, "the mental process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to reach an answer or conclusion." Critical thinking makes people more aware of their own thoughts and decision-making process. Critical thinking fosters reflection over decisions and encourages development and improvement. Evaluating a decision is an important part of the critical thinking process. By evaluating decisions, a critical thinker is learning how to develop problem-solving skills that work. The full cycle of critical thinking involves a trigger event or problem, an evaluation of the problem, exploration of the problem, identifying alternatives, and integrating new ideas to form the solution.

Critical thinking starts with a problem. That problem, or trigger event, can be both positive and negative. This problem is usually unexpected and causes some type of interruption, discomfort, or broader issue and concern. Once the problem is identified, we analyze or evaluate the problem to fully understand it. We'll then perform an exploration of the problem by asking questions, develop options, evaluate how the problem affects others, or even make new discoveries about the problem. As our critical thinking progresses through the cycle, we will begin to create new ideas, leaving the old ones behind, and new ways of thinking begin. In this stage of the process, we'll begin making decisions about what should change, and how fast the change should occur. Finally, we'll begin to integrate our new ideas and decisions to correct the problem. In some cases integrating new ideas means making major changes to correct the original problem. In other cases, it could mean confirming existing ideas and avoiding costly conclusions. "The opposite of clear thinking is confusion, and it