{"id":18938,"date":"2018-04-27T13:56:35","date_gmt":"2018-04-27T13:56:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/?p=18938"},"modified":"2018-04-27T13:56:35","modified_gmt":"2018-04-27T13:56:35","slug":"critical-thinking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/articles\/critical-thinking\/","title":{"rendered":"Critical Thinking: Become an Exceptional Critical Thinker"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"critical<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Critical Thinking is a skill you attain developing your judgments by thinking open minded, logically and coherently. By becoming a good critical thinker, you become a more independent and self-directed learner. In this simple course, we will take you through a step by step process of how to improve your critical thinking skills by learning how to become a more fair-minded thinker.<\/p>\n

Every person can improve their critical thinking skills helping them take accurate decisions in their daily life routines at school, university, organization or simply at home. By becoming a good critical thinker, you become a more independent and self-directed learner.<\/p>\n

Reasons Why Critical Thinking is Important\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Critical Thinking is a skill you attain developing your judgments\u00a0by thinking open mindedly, logically and coherently. By becoming a good critical thinker, you become a more independent\u00a0and\u00a0self-directed learner. Every person\u00a0can improve their critical thinking skills helping them take accurate decisions in their daily life routines at school, university, organization or simply at home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are the 7\u00a0reasons why we advise practicing critical thinking skills:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Critical Thinking encourages\u00a0i<\/b>ndependency.<\/b>\u00a0Learning how to think critically teaches you to be more\u00a0independent. You do not\u00a0rely on others\u00a0and you take full ownership of your strengths and weaknesses. This helps you avoid mistakes improving your judgmental and evaluation skills to a whole new level.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Critical Thinking\u00a0improves your\u00a0s<\/b>elf-<\/b>e<\/b>valuation.<\/b>\u00a0<\/b>Thinking with reason\u00a0and making logical justifications helps reflect your own values and decisions in good way. Critical thinking is considered as an important asset for one\u2019s own well-being.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Critical Thinking promotes good\u00a0language and presentation skills.<\/b>\u00a0<\/b>By thinking critically you can present your thoughts in an organized manner. Analyzing your data\u00a0logically\u00a0helps you express your idea more effectively.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Critical Thinking encourages\u00a0c<\/b>reativity<\/b>\u00a0and innovation<\/b>.\u00a0By thinking \u2018out-of-the-box\u2019, you come up with new ideas and creative solutions allowing you to explore alternative options.\u00a0As opposed to narrow thinking, critical thinking frees your mind and motivates you to understand other situations around you.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Critical Thinking encourages good\u00a0decision-making.<\/b>\u00a0Being a good, systematic and logical thinker allows you to coherently outline possible solutions to your problems. By doing that,\u00a0you can then\u00a0easily visualize\u00a0the best of these solutions and thus, apply it accordingly.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Critical Thinking encourages\u00a0scientific discoveries and theories<\/b>.\u00a0Science involves theory creation. However, in order to confirm these scientific theories\u00a0both experimentation and reason are\u00a0necessary. So critical thinking\u00a0is and\u00a0will always be\u00a0one of the main foundations of science.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Critical Thinking\u00a0keeps us\u00a0up-to-date with<\/b>\u00a0our<\/b>\u00a021<\/b>st<\/span><\/b>\u00a0century\u00a0<\/b>economy<\/b>.\u00a0As you already know, our economy today is based on information and technology. It is changing quickly and effectively. Analyzing information and solving\u00a0problems systematically helps us adapt to this fast-changing workplace.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  8. So as explained, it is vital to possess good critical thinking skills full of reason and logic.\u00a0Learning how to master thinking analytically and systematically\u00a0is considered a valuable asset for any career!\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    See also: Creative Thinking<\/a><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    3<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Kinds of Critical\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Thinkers\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Critical Thinking can be taught\u00a0at an early age and the\u00a0younger you\u00a0start\u00a0the faster and easier it is to master thinking helping you become an excellent leader in the future.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    As we grow up\u00a0most youth could be categorized in one of the following categories\u00a0of thinkers:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. N<\/b>ai<\/b>ve\u00a0<\/b>thinkers<\/b>\u00a0<\/b>believe everything they hear. They don\u2019t like to ask questions and they go along with whatever their friends say or tell them to do. They don\u2019t bother themselves to think, they rely on those around them\u00a0to do the thinking.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Se<\/b>lfish thinkers\u00a0<\/b>are smart\u00a0but\u00a0they\u00a0<\/b>don\u2019t care about others.\u00a0They think a lot but only to manipulate other kids to get what they want, regardless of who gets hurt.\u00a0It\u2019s great if these thinkers\u00a0redirect this intelligence towards good behavior rather than bad.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Fair<\/b>–<\/b>m<\/b>ind<\/b>ed t<\/b>hinkers<\/b>\u00a0<\/b>don\u2019t believe everything they hear. They are smart and empathetic.\u00a0They love to learn, ask a lot of questions\u00a0and\u00a0care\u00a0dearly\u00a0about others. Such\u00a0thinkers\u00a0have the potential to become great, wise critical thinkers that will make a difference in this world.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      It\u2019s our role as a society to help everyone\u00a0become more fair-minded thinkers. Doing that is the first step towards bringing up\u00a0successful\u00a0future\u00a0decision makers and problem solvers!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Stages of Critical Thinking<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Development<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

      Practicing good critical thinking at an early stage makes it easier\u00a0to further enhance your way of thinking. Critical thinking involves a number of significant steps you are advised to follow. The order of the steps listed below is very important.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      So here are the 6 stages of Critical Thinking\u00a0Development:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Acquiring sufficient\u00a0knowledge<\/b>\u00a0to be able to point out the main\u00a0topic that is being addressed.\u00a0Learning more and educating yourself about the environment around you gives you a clearer picture of what is actually needed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
      2. Comprehending<\/b>\u00a0well what you have attained in stage 1 by relating it to what you already know.\u00a0Researching data happens in this stage. Building up your information\u00a0helps you understand well what issue is placed on hand.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
      3. Applying\u00a0<\/b>what you have already acquired and comprehended to an actual project.\u00a0Visualizing\u00a0the\u00a0information you have by making it applicable to your daily life.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
      4. Analyzing<\/b>\u00a0the data you have collected\u00a0by breaking it into smaller steps in order to\u00a0understand\u00a0the\u00a0details\u00a0clearly. Interpreting and organizing the data collected by looking for similarities and differences.\u00a0At this stage, data\u00a0can be\u00a0placed in charts or graphs.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
      5. Synthesizing<\/b>\u00a0the data researched\u00a0<\/b>by\u00a0statistically\u00a0combining them together and\u00a0logically\u00a0linking the relevant information to the topic issued. This is closely connected to determining the importance of the data analyzed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
      6. Interpreting and evaluating<\/b>\u00a0data after it has been analyzed and synthesized is important to draw valid conclusions.\u00a0This stage involves finding solutions and taking wise decisions\u00a0accordingly. Sometimes letting your emotions take over can push the evaluation to an earlier stage. Never rush into this stage. Evaluation should be the last stage of critical thinking.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        So we advise you to follow each stage above while making decisions in your business.\u00a0Becoming more experienced with critical thinking enables you to\u00a0assess your own learning styles thus strengthening your abilities!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

        Qualities of a High-Standard Critical Thinking<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

        In our lives today, we explain what we see using logical justifications. In business projects, a problem is solved when we find the source causing\u00a0it\u00a0by gathering enough information to prove it.\u00a0 Mastering this way of thinking takes time and effort. You should\u00a0work to improve\u00a0certain qualities\u00a0in order to become an excellent thinker.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

        Here are 5\u00a0qualities of an exceptional critical thinker:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Excellent\u00a0thinkers are\u00a0fair-minded<\/b>.\u00a0They\u00a0accept other perspectives and\u00a0have\u00a0sufficient comprehensive skills to examine problems from all sides.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
        2. Making no personal judgments<\/b>\u00a0is a quality of a high-standard thinker.\u00a0By relying on facts rather than opinions\u00a0and emotions, these thinkers make wise decisions.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
        3. Critical thinkers are best when they don\u2019t believe everything they have is true.\u00a0Regularly\u00a0check<\/b>ing<\/b>\u00a0the credibility of their sources<\/b>\u00a0makes\u00a0them less likely to fall for traps.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
        4. Being\u00a0self-aware and rational<\/b>\u00a0are both qualities of\u00a0a\u00a0successful thinker.\u00a0A good thinker knows his strengths and weakness\u00a0and\u00a0therefore approaches them wisely. Believing in the voice of reason and logic,\u00a0critical thinkers can solve problems in a healthy and efficient way.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
        5. Excellent thinkers believe that\u00a0mastering efficiency<\/b>\u00a0is the key to a successful business. They believe\u00a0it is important to be\u00a0smarter not to work\u00a0harder. For example, discovering shortcuts if time is an important factor in your project.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          We advise that you follow the suggested qualities mentioned above in order to WOW yourself to become a one-of-a-kind, talented critical thinker that all businesses dream to\u00a0have on board!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

           <\/p>\n

          See also: Develop Strategic Thinking in your Organization<\/a><\/p>\n

           <\/p>\n

          Common Mistakes Our Critical Thinking Mind Can Make<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

          The human mind controls every aspect of our lives. We can program our mind to take the right decisions by separating facts from our personal opinions and emotions. We can train the way we think making us more rational and self-aware. Knowing what we do wrong helps us control our mistakes and prevent us from repeating them. However, even if we think we have everything under control our mind sometimes tricks us unintentionally.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          Here are 5 common mistakes that we can do while thinking:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Our mind subconsciously\u00a0looks for information that confirms what we already know<\/b>. The brain prefers to keep us in our \u2018comfort zone\u2018where we don\u2019t question our beliefs. Instead of looking for differences, it makes us feel safer staying just the way we are.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
          2. Our mind naturally\u00a0makes us feel our losses far more than we feel our gains<\/b>. Worrying persistently about any kind of cost\u00a0that\u00a0we have paid\u00a0for\u00a0never lets us move forward.\u00a0 Cost does not always have to mean money. It could also be our time and effort that we have lost and could never get back.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
          3. Our\u00a0mind\u00a0allows us to make<\/b>\u00a0incorrect predictions<\/b>\u00a0sometimes.\u00a0Subconsciously allowing our emotions to take control, we can make wrong decisions just because we really wish for it to be this way.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
          4. After our decision has been made and we realize we have not made the right choice, our mind\u00a0tricks us in believing that it was the right thing to do<\/b>\u00a0just to make us feel better.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
          5. Instead of making right decisions based on facts, our mind often\u00a0mislead<\/b>s<\/b>\u00a0us to believe something is better just by comparing it to something else<\/b>. It might not be the right choice but it is\u00a0certainly\u00a0the one that looks more attractive.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            All the above mistakes can be prevented when you train your mind to think critically. Being self aware of what you can do wrong before doing it, increases the chances of you avoiding it!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

            Ways to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Develop<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Good Critical Thinking<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

            6 ways we suggest to help individuals\u00a0become good critical thinkers include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Try\u00a0to\u00a0explain thoroughly<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0be clear<\/b>\u00a0when expressing an idea. Keep asking questions until they completely understand what is going on. By strengthening your\u00a0knowledge level, you become good thinkers.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
            2. Be\u00a0accurate\u00a0<\/b>in your\u00a0thinking by researching facts to decide what is real and what is not.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
            3. Using\u00a0logic and reason<\/b>\u00a0<\/b>to reach an\u00a0evaluation. This should allow you to fit things together and to make correct assumptions bringing you\u00a0closer to a valid conclusion.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
            4. Link related information to the situation being experienced to be\u00a0relevant<\/b>\u00a0while expressing your\u00a0thoughts.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
            5. Be\u00a0fair<\/b>\u00a0and always feel for others are bound to be good thinkers in the future. Being able to listen to alternative perspectives is one of the key elements of a successful thinker. Therefore, parents should work on raising\u00a0empathetic<\/b>\u00a0kids.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
            6. Kids should be guided to be able to\u00a0think for themselves<\/b>. Depending on parents to do the thinking is limiting a kid\u2019s judgmental and decision-making potentials.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Raising a good thinker means that you are raising a quick learner, an excellent problem solver, a creative thinker and thus, a successful individual in the future!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                Critical Thinking is a skill you attain developing your judgments by thinking open minded, logically and coherently. By becoming a good critical thinker, you become a more independent and self-directed learner. In this simple course, we will take you through a step by step process of how to improve your critical thinking skills by […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":18939,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,14,21],"tags":[3071,2873,2878,3076,3075,3061,3073,3063,3072,3065,3070,3080,3078,3066,3079,3064,3069,3067,3068,3062,3074,3077],"class_list":["post-18938","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","category-innovation-topics","category-leadership-management-interpersonal-skills","tag-becoming-a-critical-thinker","tag-creative-thinking-skills","tag-critical-and-creative-thinking","tag-critical-mind","tag-critical-reasoning-skills","tag-critical-thinking","tag-critical-thinking-activities","tag-critical-thinking-books","tag-critical-thinking-examples","tag-critical-thinking-exercises","tag-critical-thinking-for-dummies","tag-critical-thinking-in-business","tag-critical-thinking-problems","tag-critical-thinking-process","tag-critical-thinking-psychology","tag-critical-thinking-questions","tag-developing-critical-thinking-skills","tag-logic-and-critical-thinking","tag-teaching-critical-thinking","tag-thinking-skills","tag-thinking-skills-activities","tag-what-is-critical-thinking"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18938","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18938"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18938\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19090,"href":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18938\/revisions\/19090"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18939"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18938"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18938"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18938"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}