Developing Critical Thinking Skills: Identifying Impediments and Overcoming Them

Developing Critical Thinking Skills: Identifying Impediments and Overcoming Them

Question!

Critical thinking means being able to make reasoned judgments that are logical and well-thought out. It is a way of thinking in which you don't simply accept all arguments and conclusions you are exposed to but rather have an attitude involving questioning such arguments and conclusions. Essentially, it is comprised of six vital skills: (1) problem solving, (2) analysis, (3) creative thinking, (4) interpretation, (5) evaluation, and (6) reasoning. Unfortunately, however, there are also impediments to critical thinking.  

To get started review the Critical Thinking Impediments powerpoint (attached here as a PDF document). Think about how you would explain these impediments in laymen's terms? Provide a brief description of each impediment in your own words.

Then, consider a situation in which you DID NOT think something through critically. It can be in the past or fairly recent, but should be something that you can completely dissect. Describe the situation in detail. Also, consider which impediments may have been present in your situation. How many, if any, impediments were observable?  How did these impediments impact your critical thinking? 

Then, think about, if given the opportunity to re-do this situation, what you would do differently.  How would you ensure that none of these impediments would show up again? How would each of the aforementioned 6 skills show up, instead, in this situation?

The pdf  need Attahced 

Based on the information you've accumulated, write 1-2 pages discussing your thoughts and answers from Steps 1, 2 and 3. Be sure to incorporate the questions being asked of you. Use APA formatting that includes double spacing, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, proper citations for all sources to which you refer, and be free of grammar and spelling errors.

500 words 2 Doubled spaced paper with APA 7 th Reference & Citations 

Explained the question for Students 

Critical thinking skills are essential for making logical and well-thought-out judgments. These skills involve questioning arguments and conclusions instead of accepting them blindly. Six vital skills, including problem solving, analysis, creative thinking, interpretation, evaluation, and reasoning, are necessary for developing critical thinking skills. However, certain impediments may hinder individuals from effectively applying these skills.

To begin, let's take a look at the Critical Thinking Impediments PowerPoint, which identifies some common obstacles to critical thinking. The following is a brief description of each impediment:

Confirmation bias - the tendency to look for evidence that supports your beliefs and ignore contradictory evidence.

Stereotyping - the act of categorizing people or groups without considering individual differences.

Groupthink - the phenomenon in which group members prioritize harmony and conformity over critical thinking.

Self-deception - the act of convincing oneself of something that is not true.

Overgeneralization - the act of drawing a conclusion based on insufficient evidence.

Halo effect - the tendency to make an overall positive or negative judgment about a person based on one trait.

Now, let's consider a situation where critical thinking skills were not effectively applied. It could be a recent or past event that can be analyzed. Upon reflection, consider which impediments may have been present in the situation. How many were observable? How did they impact critical thinking?

To take an example, imagine a scenario where you were asked to evaluate a proposal for a new product at work. You did not carefully analyze the proposal because you assumed that it was well researched and written. You later found out that there were several inaccuracies in the proposal that would have been apparent had you taken the time to examine it more carefully. In this case, confirmation bias and self-deception could have been present, which may have led to the overlooking of crucial details.

If given the opportunity to redo this situation, it would be crucial to approach it more critically. First, evaluate the proposal with a fresh perspective and question assumptions. Second, conduct thorough research and analysis to ensure that all necessary information is considered. Third, evaluate the proposal based on its merits rather than personal biases or preconceptions. These actions would involve using each of the six critical thinking skills, including problem-solving, analysis, creative thinking, interpretation, evaluation, and reasoning.

In conclusion, developing critical thinking skills is essential for making well-informed judgments. However, certain impediments may hinder the effective application of these skills. By identifying these obstacles and learning how to overcome them, individuals can improve their critical thinking abilities and make more accurate and well-rounded decisions.

Task 1 - Introduction to Social Psychology and Social Cognition

In this week’s Task you will explore two important definitions: social psychology and social cognition.

500 words Brief Essay @ 1ppwdue by 3 am 21 March 

Read: “An Introduction to the Science of Social Psychology”

Watch:

Play Video

Video link 

https://youtu.be/CEw23EFu4rc

 

Explore the history and principles of Social Psychology by reading “Defining Social Psychology: History and Principles.”

Take a closer look at the pioneers of Social Psychology. Read “Historical Figures in Social Psychology”

Choose at least two of the influential pioneers of social psychology from step 3 and do the following:

Prepare a brief essay that (1) Describes social psychology in your own words and (2) Demonstrates your knowledge of the two pioneers you have identified. Specifically, I'll be looking for an explicit discussion of how these individuals have contributed to the field of social psychology. At the very least, you should have a paragraph per pioneer...in addition to the content from your thoughts on social psychology! 

Please Upload your essay into Moodle. Be sure to use proper APA formatting and citations where appropriate; your assignment is due by 11:59pm!