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13 Easy Steps To Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills

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With the sheer volume of information that we’re bombarded with on a daily basis – and with the pervasiveness of fake news and social media bubbles – the ability to look at evidence, evaluate the trustworthiness of a source, and think critically is becoming more important than ever. This is why, for me, critical thinking is one of the most vital skills to cultivate for future success.

Critical thinking isn’t about being constantly negative or critical of everything. It’s about objectivity and having an open, inquisitive mind. To think critically is to analyze issues based on hard evidence (as opposed to personal opinions, biases, etc.) in order to build a thorough understanding of what’s really going on. And from this place of thorough understanding, you can make better decisions and solve problems more effectively.

To put it another way, critical thinking means arriving at your own carefully considered conclusions instead of taking information at face value. Here are 13 ways you can cultivate this precious skill:

1. Always vet new information with a cautious eye. Whether it’s an article someone has shared online or data that’s related to your job, always vet the information you're presented with. Good questions to ask here include, "Is this information complete and up to date?” “What evidence is being presented to support the argument?” and “Whose voice is missing here?”

2. Look at where the information has come from. Is the source trustworthy? What is their motivation for presenting this information? For example, are they trying to sell you something or get you to take a certain action (like vote for them)?

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3. Consider more than one point of view. Everyone has their own opinions and motivations – even highly intelligent people making reasonable-sounding arguments have personal opinions and biases that shape their thinking. So, when someone presents you with information, consider whether there are other sides to the story.

4. Practice active listening. Listen carefully to what others are telling you, and try to build a clear picture of their perspective. Empathy is a really useful skill here since putting yourself in another person's shoes can help you understand where they're coming from and what they might want. Try to listen without judgment – remember, critical thinking is about keeping an open mind.

5. Gather additional information where needed. Whenever you identify gaps in the information or data, do your own research to fill those gaps. The next few steps will help you do this objectively…

6. Ask lots of open-ended questions. Curiosity is a key trait of critical thinkers, so channel your inner child and ask lots of "who," "what," and "why" questions.

7. Find your own reputable sources of information, such as established news sites, nonprofit organizations, and education institutes. Try to avoid anonymous sources or sources with an ax to grind or a product to sell. Also, be sure to check when the information was published. An older source may be unintentionally offering up wrong information just because events have moved on since it was published; corroborate the info with a more recent source.

8. Try not to get your news from social media. And if you do see something on social media that grabs your interest, check the accuracy of the story (via reputable sources of information, as above) before you share it.

9. Learn to spot fake news. It's not always easy to spot false or misleading content, but a good rule of thumb is to look at the language, emotion, and tone of the piece. Is it using emotionally charged language, for instance, and trying to get you to feel a certain way? Also, look at the sources of facts, figures, images, and quotes. A legit news story will clearly state its sources.

10. Learn to spot biased information. Like fake news, biased information may seek to appeal more to your emotions than logic and/or present a limited view of the topic. So ask yourself, “Is there more to this topic than what’s being presented here?” Do your own reading around the topic to establish the full picture.

11. Question your own biases, too. Everyone has biases, and there’s no point pretending otherwise. The trick is to think objectively about your likes and dislikes, preferences, and beliefs, and consider how these might affect your thinking.

12. Form your own opinions. Remember, critical thinking is about thinking independently. So once you’ve assessed all the information, form your own conclusions about it.

13. Continue to work on your critical thinking skills. I recommend looking at online learning platforms such as Udemy and Coursera for courses on general critical thinking skills, as well as courses on specific subjects like cognitive biases.

Read more about critical thinking and other essential skills in my new book, Future Skills: The 20 Skills & Competencies Everyone Needs To Succeed In A Digital World . Written for anyone who wants to surf the wave of digital transformation – rather than be drowned by it – the book explores why these vital future skills matter and how to develop them.

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Critical thinking is the one skillset you can't afford not to master

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What is critical thinking?

5 characteristics of critical thinking, what are critical thinking skills, and why are they important, 6 key critical thinking skills, critical thinking example in real-life, 13 ways to start thinking critically.

Whether you’re aiming to improve your performance at work or simply trying to live a more fulfilling life , you’ll need a variety of hard and soft skills to move the needle. Some skills come naturally to some people, while others need to develop them actively.

One of these skills is critical thinking. But critical thinking itself is made up of several types of skills that contribute to solving problems more effectively.

Let’s explore the different types of critical thinking skills and how you can start improving them to level up your career.

Critical thinking is the ability to analyze facts objectively and form a judgment. It is a form of emotional intelligence .

Someone with critical thinking skills can think clearly and rationally when the situation demands it. It allows them to perform problem-solving and decision-making more effectively. 

As a result, you can look further than what you see at face value. You’re able to analyze what you see from a situation and gain some insight that goes further than what’s obvious to anyone from the outside.

Critical thinking also requires being able to understand the logical connection between two or more ideas or concepts. For example, a team working on a company’s pricing strategy needs to think critically about several concepts. 

Both the marketing and sales teams must work together. They need to analyze how to maximize sales. But they need to do so while also meeting profit goals. It’s important to understand the logical connection between sales strategy and marketing logistics. It’s the only way to get a good outcome.

Critical thinking is different from creative thinking . Creative thinking is the ability to generate brand new, innovative ideas. On the other hand, critical thinking requires you to carefully and logically analyze what information is given to you. Both are important to maximize results in any given situation.

What defines critical thinking? How does it affect the decision-making process? Here are five characteristics that make up the ability to think critically.

1. Dispositions

Critical thinkers have specific traits that allow them to think the way they do. Some people are predisposed to these traits, while others need to develop them actively.

Some of these dispositions include:

• Open-mindedness
• Respecting evidence and reasoning
• Being able to consider different perspectives and points of view: in other words, having cognitive flexibility
• Not being stuck in one position
• Clarity and precision

2. Argument

Good critical thinkers need to make solid arguments. 

An argument is making a statement aided by supporting evidence. It’s important to use well thought-out arguments when you’re in a constructive conflict . When analyzing a situation critically, you’ll need to make several arguments in your own mind to come to a judgment. 

3. Reasoning

In addition to arguments, critical thinking also requires inferring conclusions. From the facts and arguments presented to you, you need to use reasoning skills to come to a logical conclusion. 

This conclusion will determine the best course of action to take.

4. Criteria

Critical thinking is sometimes a matter of discerning truth from fiction. Not all facts presented to you may have the same level of truth. Certain conditions need to be met for something to be considered believable, and a critical thinker needs to be able to understand that.

5. Metacognition

Metacognition is the ability to think about your own thinking. Critical thinkers should be able to analyze their thoughts so that they can judge whether or not they’ve thought everything through. This helps them come up with better hypotheses.

The critical thinking skills definition is: soft skills that help you in the critical thinking process. Developing these skills can improve your ability to think critically.

Critical thinking skills are considered one of many durable skills in the workplace . Many of these are soft skills that are also useful in other situations.

According to research by America Succeeds, critical thinking is in the top five most requested durable skills in job postings. Those top five durable skills get requested 2.6x more often than the top five hard skills. This goes to show that soft skills like critical thinking skills are in demand in the workplace.

Critical thinking skills are important for several reasons. These include helping you work independently and solve problems . Not all positions require ongoing critical thinking. But, those skills definitely matter to anyone who wants to uplevel their career. And even the most easygoing positions require at least some level of critical thinking skills.

For example, working as an accountant can be straightforward in most cases. But it may require critical thinking skills. For instance, what if certain expenses aren’t easily distributed in simple categories? Without critical thinking skills, an accountant will struggle to work independently and solve problems on their own.

Critical thinking abilities also matter in everyday life. Having a foundation for critical thinking can help you analyze several possible solutions for problems that pop up in the home. It can also help you:

• Analyze different viewpoints
• Come up with the best solution for complex problems
• Become a better learner

The key critical thinking skills are identifying biases, inference, research, identification, curiosity, and judging relevance.

Let’s explore these six critical thinking skills you should learn and why they’re so important to the critical thinking process.

1. Identifying biases

This critical thinking skill is necessary for metacognition, which is the fifth characteristic of critical thinking. It involves knowing when others have a cognitive bias and when you have one yourself.

Biases can influence how someone understands the facts presented to them. But when you’re aware of those biases, you can question yourself on those biases and consider other points of view.

Identifying biases is especially important for people who make hiring decisions. That’s because biases against groups of minorities can lead to inequalities in the workplace when not identified. 

For example, imagine a hiring manager comparing two resumes. Their gut feeling could guide them to discount one of the resumes due to a bias against the opposite gender. But let’s say this hiring manager realizes they have this bias. They can then question themselves on whether or not this bias is influencing their judgment. 

2. Inference

Inference is the ability to draw conclusions based on the information you have. Without inference, it can be difficult to take action once you’ve analyzed the facts presented to you. Processing information is key to coming up with a reasoned judgment.

For example, let’s go back to the accountant struggling to assign the correct category to a business expense. They can analyze other similar situations and infer the most logical category based on that information.

3. Research

Before you analyze facts and infer a conclusion, you need to find out what those facts are. Researching skills allow you to discover facts and figures to make an argument.

Not all situations will have the required information available to you. Researching skills are necessary to dig into a situation and gather the information you need to think critically.

Some situations don’t require further research. For example, a first responder who arrives on the scene of an automobile accident won’t perform further research. They’ll have to analyze what they see in front of them and decide which injuries are the most urgent to care for. 

On the other hand, someone performing a market analysis will need to research competitors and gather information before coming up with an opinion. 

4. Identification

Identification is different from inference and research. It involves being able to identify a problem but also what’s influencing that problem.

In short, identification is necessary for someone to realize that they need to think critically about something. Without proper identification skills, it will be difficult for someone to know when it’s time to analyze a situation. 

For example, let’s say you’re entering numbers in a spreadsheet. The numbers aren’t coming out as they usually do. Without identification skills, you could easily keep going without realizing there’s an issue. But when you identify what’s going on, you can see that something is broken in the spreadsheet’s formula.

Only once you identify the fact that the formula is broken can you start analyzing what’s going on to solve the issue.

5. Curiosity

Don’t be afraid to question everything and explore what you’re curious about. That’s because intellectual curiosity is a valuable skill, especially when it comes to critical thinking.

One way to practice curiosity is to adopt a beginner’s mindset . When you come into every situation with the mindset of a beginner, you’re able to keep an open mind. You’ll be able to perceive things you may not have noticed when keeping your mind closed.

6. Judging relevance

Not all information is equally pertinent. In order to make a critical judgment, it’s important to be able to judge the relevance of the information you have.

Take, for instance, basic online researching skills. You have access to a plethora of information on virtually every topic imaginable. But performing online research requires you to constantly judge the relevance of what you see. 

Without judging relevance, you’d spend too much time on details that don’t matter as much for the final desired outcome. But when you’re able to discern what’s most pertinent, you can give that information more weight as you’re thinking critically.

So what would critical thinking skills look like in a real-life situation?

Let’s imagine you’re working in software quality assurance (QA) as a team lead. But every time your team needs to enter bug regression, everyone gets bottlenecked because you must manually populate the spreadsheet used for the regression. While you do this task, your team cannot be productive without you.

This process happens once a week and easily wastes half an hour for each team member.

First, you must identify what’s going on. The team gets bottlenecked because only you, as the team lead, can access the information required to fill in the regression spreadsheet.

Next, you can research information. You can inquire to higher-ups about the reason why only you have access to this information. You can also speak to other teams about what potential solutions they’ve come up with to solve this problem.

Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to analyze the information and judge relevance. Some teams have solutions that don’t apply to you, so that information isn’t relevant anymore. 

Figure out if there are any personal biases before you analyze your information. 

For example, it’s possible that you don’t get along with one of the other team leads. As a result, you could discount the information they’ve given you. But by identifying this bias, you can look past your personal opinion of this person and see how valuable their solution is.

Based on what you’ve analyzed, it’s time to brainstorm and come up with a solution. You realize that creating a simple, automated script will save your team’s time. And it will do so without consuming too many resources from the engineering department.

Next, present your solution to your manager. Explain how you came to this conclusion. 

Now, let’s say your spreadsheet automation solution is approved. It’s important to go back and analyze what happens after implementing the solution. But only do this once the spreadsheet has been in place for long enough to gather plenty of information. 

Here’s an example. You could realize that the solution did solve the bottleneck. But, the script also slows down the spreadsheet and makes it difficult to work with. This would require you to go back to the drawing board and start the process all over again.

Want to start improving your own critical thinking skill sets? Here’s how you can improve critical thinking skills using 13 techniques:

• Play games that require critical thinking skills
• Ask more questions, even basic ones
• Question your assumptions
• Develop your technical skills so that you can identify problems more easily
• Find ways to solve more problems (at work and at home)
• Become aware of your mental processes, like the availability heuristic
• Think for yourself: don’t adopt other people’s opinions without questioning them first
• Seek out diversity of thought
• Start developing foresight
• Try active listening
• Weigh the consequences of different actions before you act
• Seek a mentor who can help you develop these skills
• Get professional coaching

How to improve your critical thinking skills 

Critical thinking skills aren’t always easy to develop. But it’s much easier to start thinking critically when you have someone to work with. Try a custom BetterUp demo to see how a coach can help you develop your critical thinking skills today.

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Maggie Wooll is a researcher, author, and speaker focused on the evolving future of work. Formerly the lead researcher at the Deloitte Center for the Edge, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Princeton University and an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Maggie is passionate about creating better work and greater opportunities for all.

How to develop critical thinking skills

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How to build critical thinking skills for better decision-making

It’s simple in theory, but tougher in practice – here are five tips to get you started.

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Have you heard the riddle about two coins that equal thirty cents, but one of them is not a nickel? What about the one where a surgeon says they can’t operate on their own son?

Those brain teasers tap into your critical thinking skills. But your ability to think critically isn’t just helpful for solving those random puzzles – it plays a big role in your career. 

An impressive 81% of employers say critical thinking carries a lot of weight when they’re evaluating job candidates. It ranks as the top competency companies consider when hiring recent graduates (even ahead of communication ). Plus, once you’re hired, several studies show that critical thinking skills are highly correlated with better job performance.

So what exactly are critical thinking skills? And even more importantly, how do you build and improve them? 

What is critical thinking?

Critical thinking is the ability to evaluate facts and information, remain objective, and make a sound decision about how to move forward.

Does that sound like how you approach every decision or problem? Not so fast. Critical thinking seems simple in theory but is much tougher in practice, which helps explain why 65% of employers say their organization has a need for more critical thinking. 

In reality, critical thinking doesn’t come naturally to a lot of us. In order to do it well, you need to:

• Remain open-minded and inquisitive, rather than relying on assumptions or jumping to conclusions
• Ask questions and dig deep, rather than accepting information at face value
• Keep your own biases and perceptions in check to stay as objective as possible
• Rely on your emotional intelligence to fill in the blanks and gain a more well-rounded understanding of a situation

So, critical thinking isn’t just being intelligent or analytical. In many ways, it requires you to step outside of yourself, let go of your own preconceived notions, and approach a problem or situation with curiosity and fairness.

It’s a challenge, but it’s well worth it. Critical thinking skills will help you connect ideas, make reasonable decisions, and solve complex problems.

7 critical thinking skills to help you dig deeper

Critical thinking is often labeled as a skill itself (you’ll see it bulleted as a desired trait in a variety of job descriptions). But it’s better to think of critical thinking less as a distinct skill and more as a collection or category of skills. 

To think critically, you’ll need to tap into a bunch of your other soft skills. Here are seven of the most important. 

Open-mindedness

It’s important to kick off the critical thinking process with the idea that anything is possible. The more you’re able to set aside your own suspicions, beliefs, and agenda, the better prepared you are to approach the situation with the level of inquisitiveness you need. 

That means not closing yourself off to any possibilities and allowing yourself the space to pull on every thread – yes, even the ones that seem totally implausible.

As Christopher Dwyer, Ph.D. writes in a piece for Psychology Today , “Even if an idea appears foolish, sometimes its consideration can lead to an intelligent, critically considered conclusion.” He goes on to compare the critical thinking process to brainstorming . Sometimes the “bad” ideas are what lay the foundation for the good ones. 

Open-mindedness is challenging because it requires more effort and mental bandwidth than sticking with your own perceptions. Approaching problems or situations with true impartiality often means:

• Practicing self-regulation : Giving yourself a pause between when you feel something and when you actually react or take action.
• Challenging your own biases: Acknowledging your biases and seeking feedback are two powerful ways to get a broader understanding. 

Critical thinking example

In a team meeting, your boss mentioned that your company newsletter signups have been decreasing and she wants to figure out why.

At first, you feel offended and defensive – it feels like she’s blaming you for the dip in subscribers. You recognize and rationalize that emotion before thinking about potential causes. You have a hunch about what’s happening, but you will explore all possibilities and contributions from your team members.

Observation

Observation is, of course, your ability to notice and process the details all around you (even the subtle or seemingly inconsequential ones). Critical thinking demands that you’re flexible and willing to go beyond surface-level information, and solid observation skills help you do that.

Your observations help you pick up on clues from a variety of sources and experiences, all of which help you draw a final conclusion. After all, sometimes it’s the most minuscule realization that leads you to the strongest conclusion.

Over the next week or so, you keep a close eye on your company’s website and newsletter analytics to see if numbers are in fact declining or if your boss’s concerns were just a fluke. 

Critical thinking hinges on objectivity. And, to be objective, you need to base your judgments on the facts – which you collect through research. You’ll lean on your research skills to gather as much information as possible that’s relevant to your problem or situation. 

Keep in mind that this isn’t just about the quantity of information – quality matters too. You want to find data and details from a variety of trusted sources to drill past the surface and build a deeper understanding of what’s happening. 

You dig into your email and website analytics to identify trends in bounce rates, time on page, conversions, and more. You also review recent newsletters and email promotions to understand what customers have received, look through current customer feedback, and connect with your customer support team to learn what they’re hearing in their conversations with customers.

The critical thinking process is sort of like a treasure hunt – you’ll find some nuggets that are fundamental for your final conclusion and some that might be interesting but aren’t pertinent to the problem at hand.

That’s why you need analytical skills. They’re what help you separate the wheat from the chaff, prioritize information, identify trends or themes, and draw conclusions based on the most relevant and influential facts. 

It’s easy to confuse analytical thinking with critical thinking itself, and it’s true there is a lot of overlap between the two. But analytical thinking is just a piece of critical thinking. It focuses strictly on the facts and data, while critical thinking incorporates other factors like emotions, opinions, and experiences. 

As you analyze your research, you notice that one specific webpage has contributed to a significant decline in newsletter signups. While all of the other sources have stayed fairly steady with regard to conversions, that one has sharply decreased.

You decide to move on from your other hypotheses about newsletter quality and dig deeper into the analytics. 

One of the traps of critical thinking is that it’s easy to feel like you’re never done. There’s always more information you could collect and more rabbit holes you could fall down.

But at some point, you need to accept that you’ve done your due diligence and make a decision about how to move forward. That’s where inference comes in. It’s your ability to look at the evidence and facts available to you and draw an informed conclusion based on those. 

When you’re so focused on staying objective and pursuing all possibilities, inference can feel like the antithesis of critical thinking. But ultimately, it’s your inference skills that allow you to move out of the thinking process and onto the action steps. 

You dig deeper into the analytics for the page that hasn’t been converting and notice that the sharp drop-off happened around the same time you switched email providers.

After looking more into the backend, you realize that the signup form on that page isn’t correctly connected to your newsletter platform. It seems like anybody who has signed up on that page hasn’t been fed to your email list. 

Communication

3 ways to improve your communication skills at work

If and when you identify a solution or answer, you can’t keep it close to the vest. You’ll need to use your communication skills to share your findings with the relevant stakeholders – like your boss, team members, or anybody who needs to be involved in the next steps.

Your analysis skills will come in handy here too, as they’ll help you determine what information other people need to know so you can avoid bogging them down with unnecessary details. 

In your next team meeting, you pull up the analytics and show your team the sharp drop-off as well as the missing connection between that page and your email platform. You ask the web team to reinstall and double-check that connection and you also ask a member of the marketing team to draft an apology email to the subscribers who were missed. 

Problem-solving

Critical thinking and problem-solving are two more terms that are frequently confused. After all, when you think critically, you’re often doing so with the objective of solving a problem.

The best way to understand how problem-solving and critical thinking differ is to think of problem-solving as much more narrow. You’re focused on finding a solution.

In contrast, you can use critical thinking for a variety of use cases beyond solving a problem – like answering questions or identifying opportunities for improvement. Even so, within the critical thinking process, you’ll flex your problem-solving skills when it comes time to take action. 

Once the fix is implemented, you monitor the analytics to see if subscribers continue to increase. If not (or if they increase at a slower rate than you anticipated), you’ll roll out some other tests like changing the CTA language or the placement of the subscribe form on the page.

5 ways to improve your critical thinking skills

Beyond the buzzwords: Why interpersonal skills matter at work

Think critically about critical thinking and you’ll quickly realize that it’s not as instinctive as you’d like it to be. Fortunately, your critical thinking skills are learned competencies and not inherent gifts – and that means you can improve them. Here’s how:

• Practice active listening: Active listening helps you process and understand what other people share. That’s crucial as you aim to be open-minded and inquisitive.
• Ask open-ended questions: If your critical thinking process involves collecting feedback and opinions from others, ask open-ended questions (meaning, questions that can’t be answered with “yes” or “no”). Doing so will give you more valuable information and also prevent your own biases from influencing people’s input.
• Scrutinize your sources: Figuring out what to trust and prioritize is crucial for critical thinking. Boosting your media literacy and asking more questions will help you be more discerning about what to factor in. It’s hard to strike a balance between skepticism and open-mindedness, but approaching information with questions (rather than unquestioning trust) will help you draw better conclusions. 
• Play a game: Remember those riddles we mentioned at the beginning? As trivial as they might seem, games and exercises like those can help you boost your critical thinking skills. There are plenty of critical thinking exercises you can do individually or as a team . 
• Give yourself time: Research shows that rushed decisions are often regrettable ones. That’s likely because critical thinking takes time – you can’t do it under the wire. So, for big decisions or hairy problems, give yourself enough time and breathing room to work through the process. It’s hard enough to think critically without a countdown ticking in your brain. 

Critical thinking really is critical

The ability to think critically is important, but it doesn’t come naturally to most of us. It’s just easier to stick with biases, assumptions, and surface-level information. 

But that route often leads you to rash judgments, shaky conclusions, and disappointing decisions. So here’s a conclusion we can draw without any more noodling: Even if it is more demanding on your mental resources, critical thinking is well worth the effort.

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How to build your critical thinking skills in 7 steps (with examples)

Critical thinking is, well, critical. By developing critical thinking skills, you improve your ability to analyze information and come to the best decision possible. In this article, we cover the basics of critical thinking, as well as the seven steps you can use to implement the full critical thinking process.

Critical thinking comes from asking the right questions to come to the best conclusion possible. Strong critical thinkers analyze information from a variety of viewpoints in order to identify the best course of action.

Don’t worry if you don’t think you have strong critical thinking skills. In this article, we’ll help you build a foundation for critical thinking so you can absorb, analyze, and make informed decisions. 

What is critical thinking? 

Critical thinking is the ability to collect and analyze information to come to a conclusion. Being able to think critically is important in virtually every industry and applicable across a wide range of positions. That’s because critical thinking isn’t subject-specific—rather, it’s your ability to parse through information, data, statistics, and other details in order to identify a satisfactory solution. 

Definitions of critical thinking

Various scholars have provided definitions of critical thinking, each emphasizing different aspects of this complex cognitive process:

Michael Scriven , an American philosopher, defines critical thinking as "the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication as a guide to belief and action."

Robert Ennis , professor emeritus at the University of Illinois, describes critical thinking as "reasonable, reflective thinking focused on deciding what to believe or do."

Diane Halpern , a cognitive psychologist and former president of the American Psychological Association, defines it as "the use of cognitive skills or strategies that increase the probability of a desirable outcome."

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8 essential critical thinking skills to develop

Critical thinking is essential for success in everyday life, higher education, and professional settings. The handbook "Foundation for Critical Thinking" defines it as a process of conceptualization, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of information.

In no particular order, here are eight key critical thinking abilities that can help you excel in any situation:

1. Analytical thinking

Analytical thinking involves evaluating data from multiple sources in order to come to the best conclusions. Analytical thinking allows people to reject cognitive biases and strive to gather and analyze intricate subject matter while solving complex problems. Analytical thinkers who thrive at critical thinking can:

Identify patterns and trends in the data

Break down complex issues into manageable components

Recognize cause-and-effect relationships

Evaluate the strength of arguments and evidence

Example: A data analyst breaks down complex sales figures to identify trends and patterns that inform the company's marketing strategy.

2. Open-mindedness

Open-mindedness is the willingness to consider new ideas, arguments, and information without prejudice. This critical thinking skill helps you analyze and process information to come to an unbiased conclusion. Part of the critical thinking process is letting your personal biases go, taking information at face value and coming to a conclusion based on multiple points of view .

Open-minded critical thinkers demonstrate:

Willingness to consider alternative viewpoints

Ability to suspend judgment until sufficient evidence is gathered

Receptiveness to constructive criticism and feedback

Flexibility in updating beliefs based on new information

Example: During a product development meeting, a team leader actively considers unconventional ideas from junior members, leading to an innovative solution.

3. Problem-solving

Effective problem solving is a cornerstone of critical thinking. It requires the ability to identify issues, generate possible solutions, evaluate alternatives, and implement the best course of action. This critical thinking skill is particularly valuable in fields like project management and entrepreneurship.

Key aspects of problem-solving include:

Clearly defining the problem

Gathering relevant information

Brainstorming potential solutions

Evaluating the pros and cons of each option

Implementing and monitoring the chosen solution

Reflecting on the outcome and adjusting as necessary

Example: A high school principal uses problem-solving skills to address declining student engagement by surveying learners, consulting with higher education experts, and implementing a new curriculum that balances academic rigor with practical, real-world applications.

4. Reasoned judgment

Reasoned judgment is a key component of higher order thinking that involves making thoughtful decisions based on logical analysis of evidence and thorough consideration of alternatives. This critical thinking skill is important in both academic and professional settings. Key aspects reasoned judgment include:

Objectively gathering and analyzing information

Evaluating the credibility and relevance of evidence

Considering multiple perspectives before drawing conclusions

Making decisions based on logical inference and sound reasoning

Example: A high school science teacher uses reasoned judgment to design an experiment, carefully observing and analyzing results before drawing conclusions about the hypothesis.

5. Reflective thinking

Reflective thinking is the process of analyzing one's own thought processes, actions, and outcomes to gain deeper understanding and improve future performance. Good critical thinking requires analyzing and synthesizing information to form a coherent understanding of a problem. It's an essential critical thinking skill for continuous learning and improvement.

Key aspects of reflective thinking include:

Critically examining one's own assumptions and cognitive biases

Considering diverse viewpoints and perspectives

Synthesizing information from various experiences and sources

Applying insights to improve future decision-making and actions

Continuously evaluating and adjusting one's thinking processes

Example: A community organizer reflects on the outcomes of a recent public event, considering what worked well and what could be improved for future initiatives.

6. Communication

Strong communication skills help critical thinkers articulate ideas clearly and persuasively. Communication in the workplace is crucial for effective teamwork, leadership, and knowledge dissemination. Key aspects of communication in critical thinking include:

Clearly expressing complex ideas

Active listening and comprehension

Adapting communication styles to different audiences

Constructing and delivering persuasive arguments

Example: A manager effectively explains a new company policy to her team, addressing their concerns and ensuring everyone understands its implications.

7. Research

Critical thinkers with strong research skills gather, evaluate, and synthesize information from various sources of information. This is particularly important in academic settings and in professional fields that require continuous learning. Effective research involves:

Identifying reliable and relevant sources of information

Evaluating the credibility and bias of sources

Synthesizing information from multiple sources

Recognizing gaps in existing knowledge

Example: A journalist verifies information from multiple credible sources before publishing an article on a controversial topic.

8. Decision-making

Effective decision making is the culmination of various critical thinking skills that allow an individual to draw logical conclusions and generalizations. It involves weighing options, considering consequences, and choosing the best course of action. Key aspects of decision-making include:

Defining clear criteria for evaluation

Gathering and analyzing relevant information

Considering short-term and long-term consequences

Managing uncertainty and risk

Balancing logic and intuition

Example: A homeowner weighs the costs, benefits, and long-term implications before deciding to invest in solar panels for their house.

How to develop critical thinking skills in 7 steps

Critical thinking is a skill that you can build by following these seven steps. The seven steps to critical thinking help you ensure you’re approaching a problem from the right angle, considering every alternative, and coming to an unbiased conclusion.

First things first: When to use the 7 step critical thinking process

There’s a lot that goes into the full critical thinking process, and not every decision needs to be this thought out. Sometimes, it’s enough to put aside bias and approach a process logically. In other, more complex cases, the best way to identify the ideal outcome is to go through the entire critical thinking process. 

The seven-step critical thinking process is useful for complex decisions in areas you are less familiar with. Alternatively, the seven critical thinking steps can help you look at a problem you’re familiar with from a different angle, without any bias. 

If you need to make a less complex decision, consider another problem solving strategy instead. Decision matrices are a great way to identify the best option between different choices. Check out our article on 7 steps to creating a decision matrix .

1. Identify the problem or question

Before you put those critical thinking skills to work, you first need to identify the problem you’re solving. This step includes taking a look at the problem from a few different perspectives and asking questions like: 

What’s happening? 

Why is this happening? 

What assumptions am I making? 

At first glance, how do I think we can solve this problem? 

A big part of developing your critical thinking skills is learning how to come to unbiased conclusions. In order to do that, you first need to acknowledge the biases that you currently have. Does someone on your team think they know the answer? Are you making assumptions that aren’t necessarily true? Identifying these details helps you later on in the process. 

2. Gather relevant information

At this point, you likely have a general idea of the problem—but in order to come up with the best solution, you need to dig deeper. 

During the research process, collect information relating to the problem, including data, statistics, historical project information, team input, and more. Make sure you gather information from a variety of sources, especially if those sources go against your personal ideas about what the problem is or how to solve it.

Gathering varied information is essential for your ability to apply the critical thinking process. If you don’t get enough information, your ability to make a final decision will be skewed. Remember that critical thinking is about helping you identify the objective best conclusion. You aren’t going with your gut—you’re doing research to find the best option

3. Analyze and evaluate data

Just as it’s important to gather a variety of information, it is also important to determine how relevant the different information sources are. After all, just because there is data doesn’t mean it’s relevant. 

Once you’ve gathered all of the information, sift through the noise and identify what information is relevant and what information isn’t. Synthesizing all of this information and establishing significance helps you weigh different data sources and come to the best conclusion later on in the critical thinking process. 

To determine data relevance, ask yourself:

How reliable is this information? 

How significant is this information? 

Is this information outdated? Is it specialized in a specific field? 

4. Consider alternative points of view

One of the most useful parts of the critical thinking process is coming to a decision without bias. In order to do so, you need to take a step back from the process and challenge the assumptions you’re making. 

We all have bias—and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Unconscious biases (also known as cognitive biases) often serve as mental shortcuts to simplify problem solving and aid decision making. But even when biases aren’t inherently bad, you must be aware of your biases in order to put them aside when necessary. 

Before coming to a solution, ask yourself:

Am I making any assumptions about this information? 

Are there additional variables I haven’t considered? 

Have I evaluated the information from every perspective? 

Are there any viewpoints I missed?

5. Draw logical conclusions

Finally, you’re ready to come to a conclusion. To identify the best solution, draw connections between causes and effects. Use the facts you’ve gathered to evaluate the most objective conclusion. 

Keep in mind that there may be more than one solution. Often, the problems you’re facing are complex and intricate. The critical thinking process doesn’t necessarily lead to a cut-and-dry solution—instead, the process helps you understand the different variables at play so you can make an informed decision. 

6. Develop and communication solutions

Communication is a key skill for critical thinkers. It isn’t enough to think for yourself—you also need to share your conclusion with other project stakeholders. If there are multiple solutions, present them all. There may be a case where you implement one solution, then test to see if it works before implementing another solution. 

This process of communicating and sharing ideas is key in promoting critical thinking abilities within a team or organization. By encouraging open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving, you create an environment that fosters the development of critical thinking skills in others.

7. Reflect and learn from the process

The seven-step critical thinking process yields a result—and you then need to put that solution into place. After you’ve implemented your decision, evaluate whether or not it was effective. Did it solve the initial problem? What lessons—whether positive or negative—can you learn from this experience to improve your critical thinking for next time? 

By engaging in this metacognitive reflective thinking process, you're essentially teaching critical thinking skills to yourself, refining your methodology with each iteration. This reflective practice is fundamental in developing a more robust and adaptable approach to problem-solving.

Depending on how your team shares information, consider documenting lessons learned in a central source of truth. That way, team members that are making similar or related decisions in the future can understand why you made the decision you made and what the outcome was.

Critical thinking examples in the workplace

Imagine you work in user experience design (UX). Your team is focused on pricing and packaging and ensuring customers have a clear understanding of the different services your company offers. Here’s how to apply the critical thinking process in the workplace in seven steps: 

Step 1: Start by identifying the problem

Your current pricing page isn’t performing as well as you want. You’ve heard from customers that your services aren’t clear, and that the page doesn’t answer the questions they have. This page is really important for your company, since it’s where your customers sign up for your service. You and your team have a few theories about why your current page isn’t performing well, but you decide to apply the critical thinking process to ensure you come to the best decision for the page. 

Gather information about how the problem started

Part of identifying the problem includes understanding how the problem started. The pricing and packaging page is important—so when your team initially designed the page, they certainly put a lot of thought into it. Before you begin researching how to improve the page, ask yourself: 

Why did you design the pricing page the way you did? 

Which stakeholders need to be involved in the decision making process? 

Where are users getting stuck on the page?

Are any features currently working?

Step 2: Then gather information and research

In addition to understanding the history of the pricing and packaging page, it’s important to understand what works well. Part of this research means taking a look at what your competitor’s pricing pages look like. 

Ask yourself: 

How have our competitors set up their pricing pages?

Are there any pricing page best practices? 

How does color, positioning, and animation impact navigation? 

Are there any standard page layouts customers expect to see? 

Step 3: Organize and analyze information

You’ve gathered all of the information you need—now you need to organize and analyze it. What trends, if any, are you noticing? Is there any particularly relevant or important information that you have to consider? 

Step 4: Consider alternative viewpoints to reduce bias

In the case of critical thinking, it’s important to address and set bias aside as much as possible. Ask yourself: 

Is there anything I’m missing? 

Have I connected with the right stakeholders? 

Are there any other viewpoints I should consider? 

Step 5: Determine the most logical solution for your team

You now have all of the information you need to design the best pricing page. Depending on the complexity of the design, you may want to design a few options to present to a small group of customers or A/B test on the live website.

Step 6: Communicate your solution to stakeholders

Critical thinking skills can help you in every element of your life, but in the workplace, you must also involve key project stakeholders . Stakeholders help you determine next steps, like whether you’ll A/B test the page first. Depending on the complexity of the issue, consider hosting a meeting or sharing a status report to get everyone on the same page. 

Step 7: Reflect on the results

No process is complete without evaluating the results. Once the new page has been live for some time, evaluate whether it did better than the previous page. What worked? What didn’t? This also helps you make better critical decisions later on.

Tools and techniques to improve critical thinking skills

Understanding how to improve critical thinking skills has become a cornerstone of personal and professional growth in the 21st century. Recognizing the importance of critical thinking, experts across various disciplines have contributed valuable insights and methodologies. Here are some notable contributions from experts and institutions in the field:

Mind mapping: A visual approach to critical thinking skills

Mind mapping is a visual technique that helps organize and structure information. It's particularly useful for synthesizing complex ideas and identifying connections between different concepts. The benefits of mind mapping include:

Enhancing creativity by encouraging non-linear thinking

Improving memory and retention of information

Facilitating brainstorming and idea generation

Providing a clear overview of complex topics

To create a mind map:

Start with a central idea or concept.

Branch out with related sub topics or ideas.

Use colors, symbols, and images to enhance visual appeal and memorability.

Draw connections between related ideas across different branches.

Mind mapping can be particularly effective in project planning , content creation, and studying complex subjects.

The Socratic Method: Deepening critical thinking skills

The Socratic Method, named after the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, involves asking probing questions to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas. This technique is widely used in higher education to teach critical thinking. Key aspects of the Socratic Method include:

Asking open-ended questions that encourage deeper reflection

Challenging assumptions and preconceived notions

Exploring the implications and consequences of ideas

Fostering intellectual curiosity and continuous inquiry

The Socratic Method can be applied in various settings:

In education, to encourage students to think deeply about subject matter

In business, it is important to challenge team members to consider multiple points of view.

In personal development, to examine one's own beliefs and decisions

Example: A high school teacher might use the Socratic Method to guide students through a complex ethical dilemma, asking questions like "What principles are at stake here?" and "How might this decision affect different stakeholders?"

SWOT analysis: Comprehensive critical thinking skills

SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis is a strategic planning tool that can be applied to critical thinking. It helps in evaluating situations from multiple angles, promoting a more thorough understanding of complex issues. The components of SWOT analysis are:

Strengths: internal positive attributes or assets

Weaknesses: internal negative attributes or limitations

Opportunities: External factors that could be beneficial

Threats: External factors that could be harmful

To conduct a SWOT analysis:

Clearly define the subject of analysis (e.g., a project, organization, or decision).

Brainstorm and list items for each category.

Analyze the interactions between different factors.

Use the analysis to inform strategy or decision-making.

Example: A startup might use SWOT analysis to evaluate its position before seeking investment, identifying its innovative technology as a strength, limited capital as a weakness, growing market demand as an opportunity, and established competitors as a threat.

Critical thinking resources

The Foundation for Critical Thinking : Based in California, this organization offers a wide range of resources, including books, articles, and workshops on critical thinking.

The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking : This council provides guidelines and standards for critical thinking instruction and assessment.

University of Louisville : Their Critical Thinking Initiative offers various resources and tools that teach people how to develop critical thinking skills.

The New York Times Learning Network provides lesson plans and activities to help develop critical thinking skills through current events and news analysis.

Critical thinking frameworks and tools

Paul-Elder Critical Thinking Framework : Developed by Dr. Richard Paul and Dr. Linda Elder, this framework provides a comprehensive approach to developing critical thinking skills.

Bloom's Taxonomy : While not exclusively for critical thinking, this classification system is widely used in education to promote higher-order thinking skills.

The California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CCTDI) : This assessment tool measures the disposition to engage in problems and make decisions using critical thinking.

The Ennis-Weir Critical Thinking Essay Test : Developed by Robert Ennis, this test assesses a person's ability to appraise an argument and to formulate a written argument.

By incorporating these tools and techniques into regular practice, individuals can learn how to improve critical thinking skills, which leads to more effective problem-solving, decision-making, and overall cognitive performance.

The power of critical thinking skills

Critical thinking skills take time to build, but with effort and patience you can apply an unbiased, analytical mind to any situation. Critical thinking makes up one of many soft skills that makes you an effective team member, manager, and worker. If you’re looking to hone your skills further, read our article on the 25 project management skills you need to succeed .

FAQ: Critical thinking skills

What is being a critical thinker?

Being a critical thinker means possessing strong critical thinking skills that allow you to analyze information objectively and make reasoned judgments. It involves developing analytical skills and the capacity for critical thought. A critical thinker questions assumptions, considers multiple perspectives, and bases decisions on evidence rather than emotions or biases.

What are the 5 C's of critical thinking?

The 5 C's of critical thinking are the core skill sets that make you a better critical thinker:

Curiosity: Asking questions and seeking new information

Creativity: Generating innovative solutions and ideas

Clarity: Expressing thoughts and ideas clearly and precisely

Consistency: Maintaining logical coherence in arguments and reasoning

Commitment: Dedicating oneself to ongoing learning and improvement

These skills directly improve critical thinking and strengthen overall cognitive abilities. Understanding and practicing these 5 C's is a fundamental aspect of how to develop critical thinking skills effectively.

How do you demonstrate critical thinking?

Demonstrating critical thinking involves applying your skill set in various situations. This includes analyzing problems, evaluating information sources, considering multiple perspectives, and using evidence-based reasoning. Many employers highlight these qualities in job descriptions, as they value employees who can apply critical thought to workplace challenges.

What is a real-life example of critical thinking?

A real-life critical thinking example could be making a major purchase decision, such as buying a car. Here's how you might apply critical thinking skills:

Research: Gather information about different car models, prices, and features

Analysis: Compare and contrast options based on your needs and budget

Evaluation: Assess the reliability of information sources (e.g., consumer reports, user reviews)

Questioning: Ask car dealers probing questions about warranties, maintenance costs, and resale value

Consideration of alternatives: Explore options like leasing or public transportation

Decision-making: Weigh pros and cons to make an informed choice

Reflection: After the purchase, evaluate your decision-making process for future improvement

This critical thinking example demonstrates how critical thought can be applied to everyday situations.

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3 Simple Habits to Improve Your Critical Thinking

by Helen Lee Bouygues

Summary .   

Too many business leaders are simply not reasoning through pressing issues, and it’s hurting their organizations.  The good news is that critical thinking is a learned behavior. There are three simple things you can do to train yourself to become a more effective critical thinker: question assumptions, reason through logic, and diversify your thought and perspectives. They may sound obvious, but deliberately cultivating these three key habits of mind go a long way in helping you become better at clear and robust reasoning.

A few years ago, a CEO assured me that his company was the market leader. “Clients will not leave for competitors,” he added. “It costs too much for them to switch.” Within weeks, the manufacturing giant Procter & Gamble elected not to renew its contract with the firm. The CEO was shocked — but he shouldn’t have been.

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How to Improve Critical Thinking Skills

Last Updated: June 5, 2023 Approved

This article was co-authored by Sandra Possing . Sandra Possing is a life coach, speaker, and entrepreneur based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sandra specializes in one-on-one coaching with a focus on mindset and leadership transformation. Sandra received her coaching training from The Coaches Training Institute and has seven years of life coaching experience. She holds a BA in Anthropology from the University of California, Los Angeles. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 23 testimonials and 93% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 810,302 times.

Critical Thinking is the art of using reason to analyze ideas and dig deeper to get to our true potential. Critical thinking isn't about thinking more or thinking harder; it's about thinking better . Honing your critical thinking skills can open up a lifetime of intellectual curiosity. But the journey isn't all rosy. Critical thinking requires a lot of discipline. Staying on track takes a combination of steady growth, motivation, and the ability to take an honest look at yourself, even in the face of some uncomfortable facts.

Honing Your Questioning Skills

• What does it mean to question assumptions? Einstein questioned the assumption that Newtonian laws of motion could accurately describe the world. [2] X Research source He developed an entirely new framework for looking at the world by re describing what he thought had happened, starting from scratch.
• We can question assumptions in a similar way. Why do we feel the need to eat in the morning, even when we're not hungry? Why do we assume that we'll fail when we haven't even tried?
• What other assumptions are we taking for granted that might crumble upon further examination?

• Get in the habit of using your instinct to investigate questionable pieces of information. If your gut isn't satisfied with an explanation, ask the person to elaborate. If you don't question a fact, read about it or test it yourself. Soon enough, you'll build up a pretty good sense of what deserves more research and what you've determined to be true in your own judgment.

• How does ball lightning work?
• How do fish fall from the sky in the middle of Australia? [4] X Trustworthy Source Library of Congress Official library of the U.S. and main research institution for Congress and the American public Go to source
• How can we take meaningful steps to fight global poverty ?
• How do we dismantle production of nuclear weapons worldwide?

Adjusting Your Perspective

• Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon.com, famously understood the benefits of thinking several steps ahead. He tired Wired Magazine in 2011: "If everything you do needs to work on a three-year time horizon, then you’re competing against a lot of people. But if you’re willing to invest on a seven-year time horizon, you’re now competing against a fraction of those people, because very few companies are willing to do that." When the Kindle first hit stores in 2007 it was more than three years in development, at a time when e-readers were on nobody's radar. [7] X Research source

• Solve a problem a day. Spend a little bit of time figuring out a problem and then try to solve it. [11] X Research source The problem could be a theoretical or a personal one.
• Find the time to exercise consistently. 30 minutes of aerobic exercise — as little as a walk around the neighborhood — can help improve brain function.
• Eat the right kinds of foods. Avocados, blueberries, wild salmon, nuts and seeds, as well as brown rice play an instrumental role in keeping your brain healthy. [12] X Research source

Putting It All Together

Expert Q&A

• Be diplomatic. Your aim is not the person himself, but the proposal he puts forward. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
• Use libraries and the Internet, to find out information on the topic you're critiquing. An uninformed critique is sometimes worse than one merely executed badly. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

• Or utilize the 'sandwich method': compliment, suggestion, compliment. Criticism is received better, using this approach. Also, use the person's name, smile (genuinely), and look them in the eye Thanks Helpful 69 Not Helpful 12
• Give criticism in a non-offensive way, as people can get defensive if something they pride themselves on gets attacked. Therefore do not antagonize a hard-core abortion supporter by giving a heated anti-abortion speech. It will only make him go on an offensive to defend his beliefs, totally ignore your arguments, and strengthen his resolve to support abortion. Prefacing criticism with praise usually works well. Thanks Helpful 66 Not Helpful 25

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://library.louisville.edu/ekstrom/criticalthinking/assumptions
• ↑ http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/physics/einstein-on-newton.html
• ↑ https://www.thetechedvocate.org/utilizing-critical-thinking-in-the-digital-information-age/
• ↑ https://www.loc.gov/everyday-mysteries/meteorology-climatology/item/can-it-rain-frogs-fish-and-other-objects/
• ↑ http://www.npr.org/2014/03/04/285580969/when-it-comes-to-vaccines-science-can-run-into-a-brick-wall
• ↑ https://psych.wustl.edu/news/understanding-your-biases
• ↑ http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2014/02/17/140217fa_fact_packer?currentPage=all
• ↑ https://www.acc.edu.au/blog/reading-comprehension-student-performance/
• ↑ Sandra Possing. Life Coach. Expert Interview. 15 July 2020.
• ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/oct/13/mental-exercises-to-keep-your-brain-sharp
• ↑ https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/critical-thinking-in-everyday-life-9-strategies/512
• ↑ http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/eat-smart-healthier-brain
• ↑ https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-basicreadingwriting/chapter/outcome-critical-thinking/

About This Article

You can improve your critical thinking skills by questioning information that you hear instead of taking it at face-value. Double-check facts that you hear, regardless of whether you get your information from other people, on TV, from a newspaper or online. Reading great books is another way to improve critical thinking, as books encourage you to think more deeply and independently about subjects. If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask someone who’s knowledgeable about the subject to explain it to you. With practice, you'll become more and more comfortable with critical thinking! For tips on how the people you hang out with can improve your critical thinking, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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The Ultimate Guide To Critical Thinking

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Table Of Contents

The basic process of critical thinking, improving your critical thinking skills, critical thinking and social media, critical thinking and the mainstream media, critical thinking and improving mental health, critical thinking in everyday life.

Critical thinking is the foundation of rationality and independent thought.

Developing this vital skill allows a person to not only see the world through clearer eyes, but to reach reasonable conclusions and make better decisions in their life .

It is one’s ability to think objectively without the influence of one’s own biases, prejudices, personal feelings, or opinions and come to a conclusion solely on factual, objective information.

A critical thinker is someone who can draw logical connections between actions and reactions, troubleshoot and systematically solve problems, and detect common mistakes in the reasoning of arguments – including their own.

The critical thinker is a person who is more easily able to understand themselves and their motivations for feeling and believing the things that they do.

They are also willing and able to entertain and understand multiple perspectives of an argument before making their own decisions.

Many people mistake critical thinking for the collection of knowledge. A degree does not necessarily mean that the person is a good critical thinker, though many people credit college education with developing their critical thinking skills.

A critical thinker is more agile. They tend to use the knowledge they possess to identify weaknesses in their reasoning and seek out new information that will allow them to make a more informed decision.

They are typically not afraid to ask questions or change their opinions when presented with new information.

Another common misconception is that critical thinking means to be overly skeptical or critical of what other people are saying or doing. Though it can be used to tear through weak arguments or bad reasoning, it can also be used to help persuade and build in a more positive direction.

Critical thinking is a valuable tool for personal or professional success because it helps us make sounder decisions from a rational place rather than acting on how we feel.

There are those – often artists and creative types – who feel deeply that placing rules and restrictions on one’s thinking limits their ability to be creative. That isn’t necessarily so.

In fact, critical thinking pairs well with creative thinking when trying to build a large or long-term project. If it is not well ordered and organized, a project or idea can be broken to pieces from the stress when it finally reaches a real world application.

The guidelines and rules of critical thinking can serve to guide our thoughts. If we know, by virtue of the knowledge that we have, that some facet of a project won’t work out, we can deduce that we need a better solution rather than relying on what we know or seeking a shortcut.

That leads a creator down different roads that they may not have previously considered before.

People perceive and think of the world in different ways. The following steps present the basic process of critical thinking, but should really only be used as a guideline and a place to start developing or improving on those skills.

Analysis and problem solving is best done in a methodical way, so you can develop a habit to build on and hone further.

It can also help you identify any weaker points in your thinking so you can work on developing those further too.

1. Identification and clarification.

Identification and clarification of the problem or subject gives us our place to start. You can’t solve a problem or scrutinize information unless you identify what you are trying to accomplish.

Examples of identification and clarification may include:

– Is this news headline or article biased? The news and media, particularly opinion-editorials, will often be written from a perspective that is not neutral.

– Is this factoid presented in a way that is meant to evoke emotion? Advertisers and influencers may write or speak in such a way as to evoke an emotional reaction to influence the way you think about what you are viewing.

– Is this social media meme honestly representing the subject matter? Almost everything shared around on social media will have some emotional bias to it, often purposefully put there to play on fear or anger.

– Is this problem that I’m looking at the actual problem or is it something else? The problem in front of you isn’t always the actual problem. The low morale in a workplace may not be because the job is bad, but because management is bad. Things aren’t always what they seem on the surface.

2. Investigation and research.

Once you’ve identified what you’re actually looking for, it’s time to research and investigate the components of the thing that you are scrutinizing. How do you go about that?

– Identify the source. Ideally, you want to track the piece of information back to where it came from to see how it originated.

Is it just a problem that developed? Is it a piece of information that’s been carefully crafted by a think-tank or marketing firm with an agenda? Does anyone stand to gain anything by you or other people believing it?

In regard to personal interactions, it’s always worthwhile to double-check on their claims. Trust, but verify.

– Look for third-party information on the claim. Ideally, you want to look for neutral, unbiased third-party information about the claim.

Where can you find that? Articles from the Associated Press, Reuters, and the BBC are a good start. Websites that are from .gov and .edu domains are usually valid.

The blogs of attorneys and doctors can be valuable as well, because reputation is so important in their respective fields so they tend to scrutinize what represents them well.

Legitimate online journals and Google Scholar can be used to find studies for further information.

Any language that includes emotional appeals in the writing or material is not likely to be a good source.

3. Identify bias, either personal or external.

Identifying outside bias is much easier than identifying personal bias.

A person really needs to be in tune with who they are, what they believe, and why they believe it to be able to identify their own bias in their perceptions of a piece of information or a problem.

Again, we come back to emotions. How do you feel about the piece of information or problem? Does it invoke anger? Sadness? Excitement? Hopefulness? Why does it invoke those emotions? And are those emotions causing you to not see the other angles of the situation?

Emotion is a quick, easy way to tell that you may be influenced by your own beliefs rather than objective facts.

Of course, there are some things that we are so raw about that it is impossible to be completely objective, and that’s okay.

Just being aware of the bias and striving to not use it as a basis of your examination, judgment, and decision making will give you a much greater edge in your critical thinking.

4. Inference and conclusion.

Data and information does not always come with a clean, foregone conclusion attached to it. Most of the time, you will need to draw your own conclusions from the information that is available.

The more valid information you can gather before drawing your conclusion, the more likely it is that your conclusion will land in the general area of correct. Particular details may change the overall perspective of a piece of data.

As an example, let’s say a business produces 1,000 widgets in the course of a production run. You can’t infer if that is a lot of widgets or not.

Maybe they need to produce a million for their order, in which case it’s not that many widgets. Maybe they had machinery that broke down where they were only able to produce half of their widget capacity for the production run.

It may be a lot, it may not be. New factual information and details will change your perspective on the business’s widget production.

5. Determining relevance of information.

There is a lot of information out there. The internet is packed with over 1 billion websites where you can find a plethora of information on just about everything.

Too much information can be a serious problem. The internet is also polluted with a lot of biased and misinformation.

Even if your information is factually correct, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is relevant to whatever data, information, or situation you are trying to analyze. It may turn out that there are only a handful of data points that are important to the situation.

Let’s build a bit more on the widget example. Is 1,000 widgets an efficient production run for the company? The business has 30 employees. But wait, how many employees are actually responsible for producing the widgets?

What about management? Accounting? Marketing? Research and Development? It doesn’t matter if the company has 30 employees if only 5 of them are producing the necessary widgets.

The number of total employees is irrelevant information, though factually correct, while the quantity that are producing the widgets is relevant.

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1. Ask more relevant questions. Far too often we force ourselves into a narrow path of thinking based on the information that is given to us.

However, there are times when that path would be much broader if we only had a greater perspective of the overall situation.

Asking more relevant questions allows you to gather more information, discern what is important and not, and allows you to make more informed decisions.

2. Question your basic assumptions. Do you just know a certain thing to be true? What do you believe in as an adamant truth? Something you believe in wholeheartedly?

Question it. Look into the counterarguments from experts and other people about those assumptions.

Can you adequately justify what you believe past how you feel or what you believe? Can you shore up those adamant beliefs with facts and truth?

3. Identify your personal biases and prejudices. What do you hate? What upsets you? What makes you angry, sad, or afraid?

Identifying these emotional points in yourself can help you when you are confronted with those situations, because sometimes our emotions do not line up with the reality that we are perceiving. This is particularly true with opinion-editorials, social media, and the news.

4. Examine other conclusions. There are a lot of people in the world who have already blazed trails that you may be trying to walk down. You don’t need to blaze the trail again if you have a goal you are pursuing and need to find your way.

By all means, incorporate your own ideas and pick your own path, but do research about how other people accomplished similar goals.

It can provide additional inspiration thanks to an outside perspective that you may not have otherwise considered. Also, be certain to explore how they reached their ultimate conclusion and destination.

5. Understand that no one can think critically all of the time. Even the most stalwart of critical thinkers is going to have momentary lapses of judgment or understanding.

You’re not going to maintain a veneer of perfection in your critical thinking. No one does or can. It’s just impossible.

That’s why it is always a good idea to not only double check your own sources, but those of other people, even if they are someone you admire for their perspective or critical thinking skills.

Mistakes happen. Trust, but verify.

6. Don’t lose yourself in the research and thoughts of others. In doing your research, you do want to make sure that you are thinking for yourself .

If something seems off or doesn’t line up with your own experience, it’s worth making a note of it and exploring it further. You may find that you have knowledge of your own that changes context or perspective that can give you additional clarity.

Don’t get so caught up in the work that you forget about your own knowledge and experience.

7. Practice continued curiosity in more things. Curiosity is a fundamental part of critical thinking. It’s the reason we examine the ‘why’ of a bit of knowledge or experience.

Make curiosity and wonder a regular part of your existence. If something seems interesting to you, do some research on it.

Better yet, even if something doesn’t seem interesting to you, do some additional research on it. That will help you build a broad perspective and body of knowledge to draw from.

8. Never assume you’re right. In assuming that you are right about a particular thing, you miss out on the opportunity to learn something new from someone who might have a different perspective or information you have not considered.

It’s okay to be confident in what you know, but it is worthwhile to listen to additional perspectives for more facts and context that you may not possess.

People who assume they are right rarely take the time to really listen to other people, instead defaulting to what they think they know and closing themselves off.

Social media is a pervasive part of the everyday lives of many people. Nearly 3 billion people around the world are using social media as a means to connect, share information and news, and exchange ideas every day.

The problem with that is that people with similar ideas tend to flock together. The algorithms that social media websites utilize look at your interests, what you are commenting about, what you are liking and sharing, and serve you up more information about the things that you like.

That can be good in finding things that are relevant to your interest, but it can be bad if all you’re doing is shouting into an echo chamber.

You can very quickly find yourself being presented with news and information that is crafted and tailored specifically to people with your interests and perspectives.

On the one hand, it can be a good thing to be around other people with similar interests. On the other, it can reinforce negative and incorrect perceptions about the world, fanning the flames of ignorance, anxiety, fear, and anger.

Social media is a fantastic tool for keeping in touch and seeking out new information, but one must be careful to treat everything they read with skepticism.

People with an agenda may craft emotional appeals or create content that is slanted to evoke an impulsive emotional reaction out of the viewer.

Misinformation spreads like wildfire because it’s often emotional speculation, which resonates with people and causes them to hit those like and share buttons.

A good rule of thumb is to check the veracity and accuracy of any story or claim that evokes an emotional reaction out of you.

Angry? Disgusted? Scared? Research it. Someone with an agenda likely crafted it that way to capitalize on your emotions and use them against you.

The critical examination of these feelings and their sources can bring a lot more peace and calmness to your life.

The internet, blogging, and social media has forced mainstream media into a questionable place.

The internet and social media move at a tremendous pace. Old school mainstream media and news sources did not.

It used to be that there were only one or two new bulletins a day. It gave the news plenty of time to research stories, dig up the truth, eliminate fabrications or misconceptions, and present a fairly unbiased story.

Now, the mainstream media needs to compete with the instant gratification for information that the internet provides. Consumers of news information are going to go where they can access it immediately.

As a result, you have social media or comment sections on news sites blowing up about events that have happened, or that are currently in progress, before anyone has had any time to actually confirm what the truth is.

Many news organizations have also introduced entertainment factors into their shows, particularly with pundits and personality hosts who are able to generate an audience and draw a crowd.

Far too many people are equating the skewed opinions of their favorite hosts or pundits with what is factual, because they rely on emotional appeal to connect and maintain a relationship with their audience.

None of it should be taken at face value because it’s impossible to know just how truthful and honest that source of information is without taking the time to research their claims. Instead, use their information to guide your own research and reading.

A good indicator that you’re being influenced is the use of weasel words and speculative questioning. “Could this be happening…?” “What exactly is going on here…?” “This circumstance may be occurring…” “What don’t they want you to know?”

Good news reporting is direct, factual, and unemotional.

Improving one’s critical thinking can serve as an effective tool to help improve one’s emotional and mental health.

There are many mental health issues that stem from emotions that are either allowed to run uncontrolled or are running out of control on their own.

This is not to suggest that all emotions are controllable or that a person can just think themselves to mental wellness. That’s not how it usually works.

However, there are times when a person can lessen the effects of mental or emotional unwellness with the help of critical thinking.

Consider a person with anxiety. The news and social media are chock full of fearful information, often that is written or presented in such a way to capitalize on the emotion of the consumer.

That person with anxiety may make their own anxiety worse by constantly keeping themselves embroiled in the drama and half-truths that are rife throughout media sources.

There’s always something to be fearful of, because fear and insecurity keeps people tuning in for more information about things that may or may not affect them.

In a similar way, there are many people with depression who find solace in dark humor, sad music, or depression related memes and content.

The more depressing and sad things a person exposes themselves to, the more it is going to drag down their own mood and perceptions of the world, which in turn fuels and makes the depression worse.

It is well-known and accepted that social media can negatively impact mental health in particular situations.

However, it is also a way for people to solidly connect with one another that may otherwise have a hard time finding like-minded people. It’s not all negative, but it’s not all positive either.

Critical thinking is a powerful tool that can help a person greatly in their pursuit of peace, happiness, and a calm life, but it is not a natural skill.

Few people are inherently blessed with critical thinking capabilities, while others need to practice and train their mind to embrace the related concepts.

Adding it to your mental toolbox can help you avoid certain pitfalls of life and not be unnecessarily disturbed by what goes on in the world.

It doesn’t matter what kind of person you are. Critical thinking is good and beneficial for everyone.

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About The Author

Jack Nollan is a mental health writer of 10 years who pairs lived experience with evidence-based information to provide perspectives from the side of the mental health consumer. Jack has lived with Bipolar Disorder and Bipolar-depression for almost 30 years. With hands-on experience as the facilitator of a mental health support group, Jack has a firm grasp of the wide range of struggles people face when their mind is not in the healthiest of places. Jack is an activist who is passionate about helping disadvantaged people find a better path.

College Info Geek

7 Ways to Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills

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When I was in 7th grade, my U.S. history teacher gave my class the following advice:

Your teachers in high school won’t expect you to remember every little fact about U.S. history. They can fill in the details you’ve forgotten. What they will expect, though, is for you to be able to think ; to know how to make connections between ideas and evaluate information critically.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but my teacher was giving a concise summary of critical thinking. My high school teachers gave similar speeches when describing what would be expected of us in college: it’s not about the facts you know, but rather about your ability to evaluate them.

And now that I’m in college, my professors often mention that the ability to think through and solve difficult problems matters more in the “real world” than specific content.

Despite hearing so much about critical thinking all these years, I realized that I still couldn’t give a concrete definition of it, and I certainly couldn’t explain how to do it. It seemed like something that my teachers just expected us to pick up in the course of our studies. While I venture that a lot of us did learn it, I prefer to approach learning deliberately, and so I decided to investigate critical thinking for myself.

What is it, how do we do it, why is it important, and how can we get better at it? This post is my attempt to answer those questions.

In addition to answering these questions, I’ll also offer seven ways that you can start thinking more critically today, both in and outside of class.

What Is Critical Thinking?

“Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.” – The Foundation for Critical Thinking

The above definition from the Foundation for Critical Thinking website  is pretty wordy, but critical thinking, in essence, is not that complex.

Critical thinking is just deliberately and systematically processing information so that you can make better decisions and generally understand things better. The above definition includes so many words because critical thinking requires you to apply diverse intellectual tools to diverse information.

Ways to critically think about information include:

• Conceptualizing
• Synthesizing

That information can come from sources such as:

• Observation
• Communication

And all this is meant to guide:

You can also define it this way:

Critical thinking is the opposite of regular, everyday thinking. 

Moment to moment, most thinking happens automatically. When you think critically, you  deliberately  employ any of the above intellectual tools to reach more accurate conclusions than your brain automatically would (more on this in a bit).

This is what critical thinking is. But so what?

Why Does Critical Thinking Matter?

Most of our everyday thinking is uncritical.

If you think about it, this makes sense. If we had to think deliberately about every single action (such as breathing, for instance), we wouldn’t have any cognitive energy left for the important stuff like D&D. It’s good that much of our thinking is automatic.

We can run into problems, though, when we let our automatic mental processes govern important decisions. Without critical thinking, it’s easy for people to manipulate us and for all sorts of catastrophes to result. Anywhere that some form of fundamentalism led to tragedy (the Holocaust is a textbook example), critical thinking was sorely lacking.

Even day to day, it’s easy to get caught in pointless arguments or say stupid things just because you failed to stop and think deliberately.

But you’re reading College Info Geek, so I’m sure you’re interested to know why critical thinking matters in college.

Here’s why:

According to Andrew Roberts, author of The Thinking Student’s Guide to College , c ritical thinking matters in college because students often adopt the wrong attitude to thinking about difficult questions. These attitudes include:

Ignorant Certainty

Ignorant certainty is the belief that there are definite, correct answers to all questions–all you have to do is find the right source (102). It’s understandable that a lot of students come into college thinking this way–it’s enough to get you through most of your high school coursework.

In college and in life, however, the answers to most meaningful questions are rarely straightforward. To get anywhere in college classes (especially upper-level ones), you have to think critically about the material.

Naive Relativism

Naive relativism is the belief that there is no truth and all arguments are equal (102-103). According to Roberts, this is often a view that students adopt once they learn the error of ignorant certainty.

While it’s certainly a more “critical” approach than ignorant certainty, naive relativism is still inadequate since it misses the whole point of critical thinking: arriving at a more complete, “less wrong” answer.

Part of thinking critically is evaluating the validity of arguments (yours and others’). Therefore, to think critically you must accept that some arguments are better (and that some are just plain awful).

Critical thinking also matters in college because:

• It allows you to form your own opinions and engage with material beyond a superficial level. This is essential to crafting a great essay  and having an intelligent discussion with your professors or classmates. Regurgitating what the textbook says won’t get you far.
• It allows you to craft worthy arguments and back them up. If you plan to go on to graduate school or pursue a PhD., original, critical thought is crucial
• It helps you evaluate your own work. This leads to better grades (who doesn’t want those?) and better habits of mind.

Doing college level work without critical is a lot like walking blindfolded: you’ll get  somewhere , but it’s unlikely to be the place you desire.

The value of critical thinking doesn’t stop with college, however. Once you get out into the real world, critical thinking matters even more. This is because:

• It allows you to continue to develop intellectually after you graduate. Progress shouldn’t stop after graduation –you should keep learning as much as you can. When you encounter new information, knowing how to think critically will help you evaluate and use it.
• It helps you make hard decisions. I’ve written before about how defining your values  helps you make better decisions. Equally important in the decision-making process is the ability to think critically. Critical thinking allows you compare the pros and cons of your available options, showing that you have more options than you might imagine .
• People can and will manipulate you . At least, they will if you take everything at face value and allow others to think for you. Just look at ads for the latest fad diet or “miracle” drug–these rely on ignorance and false hope to get people to buy something that is at best useless and at worst harmful. When you evaluate information critically (especially information meant to sell something), you can avoid falling prey to unethical companies and people.
• It makes you more employable (and better paid). The best employees not only know how to solve existing problems–they also know how to come up with solutions to problems no one ever imagined. To get a great job after graduating , you need to be one of those employees, and critical thinking is the key ingredient to solving difficult, novel problems.

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7 Ways to Think More Critically

Now we come to the part that I’m sure you’ve all been waiting for: how the heck do we get better at critical thinking?  Below, you’ll find seven ways to get started.

1. Ask Basic Questions

“The world is complicated. But does every problem require a complicated solution?” – Stephen J. Dubner

Sometimes an explanation becomes so complex that the original question get lost. To avoid this, continually go back to the basic questions you asked when you set out to solve the problem.

Here are a few key basic question you can ask when approaching any problem:

• What do you already know?
• How do you know that?
• What are you trying to prove, disprove, demonstrated, critique, etc.?
• What are you overlooking?

Some of the most breathtaking solutions to problems are astounding not because of their complexity, but because of their elegant simplicity.  Seek the simple solution  first.

2. Question Basic Assumptions

“When you assume, you make an ass out of you and me.”

The above saying holds true when you’re thinking through a problem. it’s quite easy to make an ass of yourself simply by failing to question your basic assumptions.

Some of the greatest innovators in human history were those who simply looked up for a moment and wondered if one of everyone’s general assumptions was wrong. From Newton to Einstein to Yitang Zhang , questioning assumptions is where innovation happens.

You don’t even have to be an aspiring Einstein to benefit from questioning your assumptions. That trip you’ve wanted to take? That hobby you’ve wanted to try? That internship you’ve wanted to get? That attractive person in your World Civilizations class you’ve wanted to talk to?

All these things can be a reality if you just question your assumptions and critically evaluate your beliefs about what’s prudent, appropriate, or possible.

If you’re looking for some help with this process, then check out Oblique Strategies . It’s a tool that musician Brian Eno and artist Peter Schmidt created to aid creative problem solving . Some of the “cards” are specific to music, but most work for any time you’re stuck on a problem.

3. Be Aware of Your Mental Processes

Human thought is amazing, but the speed and automation with which it happens can be a disadvantage when we’re trying to think critically. Our brains naturally use heuristics (mental shortcuts) to explain what’s happening around us.

This was beneficial to humans when we were hunting large game and fighting off wild animals, but it can be disastrous when we’re trying to decide who to vote for.

A critical thinker is aware of their cognitive biases   and personal prejudices and how they influence seemingly “objective” decisions and solutions.

All of us have biases in our thinking. Becoming aware of them is what makes critical thinking possible.

4. Try Reversing Things

A great way to get “unstuck” on a hard problem is to try reversing things. It may seem obvious that X causes Y, but what if Y caused X?

The “chicken and egg problem” a classic example of this. At first, it seems obvious that the chicken had to come first. The chicken lays the egg, after all. But then you quickly realize that the chicken had to come from somewhere, and since chickens come from eggs, the egg must have come first.  Or did it?

Even if it turns out that the reverse  isn’t  true, considering it can set you on the path to finding a solution.

5. Evaluate the Existing Evidence

“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” – Isaac Newton

When you’re trying to solve a problem, it’s always helpful to look at other work that has been done in the same area. There’s no reason to start solving a problem from scratch when someone has already laid the groundwork.

It’s important, however, to evaluate this information critically, or else you can easily reach the wrong conclusion. Ask the following questions of any evidence you encounter:

• Who gathered this evidence?
• How did they gather it?

Take, for example, a study showing the health benefits of a sugary cereal. On paper, the study sounds pretty convincing. That is, until you learn that a sugary cereal company funded it.

You can’t automatically assume that this invalidates the study’s results, but you should certainly question them when a conflict of interests is so apparent.

6. Remember to Think for Yourself

Don’t get so bogged down in research and reading that you forget to think for yourself –sometimes this can be your most powerful tool.

Writing about Einstein’s paper “On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies” (the paper that contained the famous equation  E=mc 2 ), C.P. Snow observed that “it was as if Einstein ‘had reached the conclusions by pure thought, unaided, without listening to the opinions of others. To a surprisingly large extent, that is precisely what he had done'”(121).

Don’t be overconfident, but recognize that thinking for yourself is essential to answering tough questions. I find this to be true when writing essays–it’s so easy to get lost in other people’s work that I forget to have my own thoughts. Don’t make this mistake.

For more on the importance of thinking for yourself, check out our article on mental laziness .

7. Understand That No One Thinks Critically 100% of the Time

“Critical thinking of any kind is never universal in any individual; everyone is subject to episodes of undisciplined or irrational thought.” – Michael Scriven and Richard Paul

You can’t think critically all the time, and that’s okay. Critical thinking is a tool that you should deploy when you need to make important decisions or solve difficult problems, but you don’t need to think critically about everything.

And even in important matters, you will experience lapses in your reasoning. What matters is that you recognize these lapses and try to avoid them in the future.

Even Isaac Newton, genius that he was, believed that alchemy was a legitimate pursuit .

As I hope you now see, learning to think critically will benefit you both in the classroom and beyond. I hope this post has given you some ideas about how you can think more critically in your own life. Remember: learning to think critically is a lifelong journey, and there’s always more to learn.

For a look at critical thinking principles in action, check out our guide to strategic thinking .

• http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/defining-critical-thinking/766
• http://calnewport.com/blog/2015/11/25/the-feynman-notebook-method/
• The Thinking Student’s Guide to College by Andrew Roberts (the source of several of the seven ways to think more critically)
• What the Best College Teachers Do by Ken Bain (the source of several of the seven ways to think more critically)
• A Short History of Nearly Everything   by Bill Bryson (the source for the C.P. Snow quote about Einstein and the information about Isaac Newton).

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Developing the ability to think critically is essential for individuals to manage their daily affairs and make informed choices effectively. Whether it involves assessing an argument, examining a situation, or resolving a problem, critical thinking empowers us to examine evidence, evaluate different viewpoints, and arrive at a logical decision. It's important to note that critical thinking is not an inherent ability that some possess while others don't; instead, it is a learned skill that can be improved through practice and self-reflection.

The ability to think critically is increasingly essential in today's complex and rapidly changing world, where we are bombarded with information from various sources, many of which may be unreliable or biased . Developing strong critical thinking skills is more important than ever in this context.

Below, we will explore some of the best ways to improve your necessary thinking skills to become a more informed and effective thinker in all areas of your life.

1. Engage In Plenty of Reading

Developing critical thinking skills at a young age can have lifelong benefits. In particular, speed reading for kids can be a valuable tool for improving critical thinking skills. By learning how to read quickly and efficiently, children can absorb more information in less time, making more informed decisions and arriving at well-reasoned conclusions.

Furthermore, developing speed learning enhances cognitive abilities, including critical thinking skills. People who learn faster can better process and think critically about complex information. They also tend to have better working memory and executive function, which are essential for problem-solving and decision-making .

2. Question Everything

Improving your critical thinking skills can be achieved by adopting a questioning attitude. It's essential to take only some of what you hear or read for granted but to delve deeper into the information and evaluate it critically. This can involve asking yourself questions such as: who is the source of information? What could be their motives? What evidence do they have to back up their claims? Doing so can give you a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter and enhance your thinking ability.

With this said, developing strong research skills is a key component of critical thinking. To make informed decisions and arrive at well-reasoned conclusions, it is crucial to know how to find and evaluate sources of information, especially on complex or controversial topics .

3. Analyze Arguments

Another way to improve your critical thinking skills is to analyze arguments. Identify the main claim, conclusion, supporting reasons, or evidence. Look for logical fallacies, such as ad hominem attacks or appeals to emotion, that weaken an argument. Consider alternative viewpoints and counterarguments. This will help you to develop your arguments and make more informed decisions.

4. Practice Reflection

Another crucial method to enhance your critical thinking abilities is self-reflection. It's important to reflect on your thought processes and decision-making methods. This involves evaluating your biases, assumptions, and preconceptions. By reflecting on what you could have done differently and what you learned from the experience, you can gain greater awareness of your thinking patterns and improve your decision-making skills. Regular self-reflection can help you develop a more objective and analytical mindset, leading to better critical thinking skills overall.

Furthermore, challenging your beliefs is a powerful way to improve your critical thinking skills. This means considering alternative viewpoints, even if they conflict with your own. It is essential to identify any biases or assumptions you may have and be open to changing your mind if the evidence warrants it.

5. Seek Out Different Perspectives

When surrounded by those who hold similar beliefs, it’s easy to become trapped in our echo chambers. You must actively seek out alternative viewpoints to sharpen your critical thinking abilities. Pay attention to those with various perspectives and life experiences. Take into account their viewpoints and analyze their points of contention. You'll have a deeper view of the world. As a result, one that is informed and nuanced.

6. Learn to Ask Good Questions

Asking good questions is an essential part of critical thinking. Learn to ask open-ended questions that encourage discussion and exploration. Avoid closed-ended questions that require a yes or no answer. Good questions help to clarify your thinking and to challenge the thinking of others.

This can also be done by being an active listener. Active listening is another essential skill for critical thinking. Focusing on what the speaker is saying without interruption or making assumptions is crucial to becoming a better listener. Clarify the speaker's meaning by asking questions and identifying any underlying assumptions or biases they may have.

The Importance of Critical Thinking

The ability to critically analyze, assess, and comprehend information is crucial. Critical thinking is vital in many facets of life for several reasons; below are some of the reasons why:

1. Making Informed and Reasoned Decisions

Making well-informed decisions, whether for your personal or professional life, requires critical thinking. People can more fully comprehend the benefits and drawbacks of many points of view and make wise decisions by challenging presumptions, assessing data, and dissecting arguments.

Critical thinking is particularly important in today's information-rich world, where individuals are constantly bombarded with information from various sources, both reliable and unreliable. This skill allows individuals to sift through this information and arrive at well-informed decisions based on evidence and reason.

2. Identifying and Solving Problems

Problem-solving also requires the use of critical thinking. People can find the origins of problems and create better solutions by dissecting complex situations into their component elements and looking at them from several perspectives. This ability is instrumental in science, engineering, and business, where issues are frequently complex and call for original thinking to solve them. Individuals can create original, valuable solutions through critical thinking to assist them in achieving their objectives.

3. Communicating and Collaborating with Others

Effective communication and teamwork are crucial in many facets of life in both personal and professional settings. Critical thinking empowers people to work with others and better communicate their ideas by enabling them to clarify their perspectives effectively and participate in fruitful discussions.

By evaluating evidence and arguments, individuals can also engage in more informed and constructive discussions with those with different perspectives, leading to more productive and successful collaborations.

4. Navigating the Complexities of Modern Life

Critical thinking is becoming increasingly crucial in today's world, which is changing quickly and presents people with new challenges and opportunities. People can better traverse the complexity of modern life and make decisions that will benefit themselves and their communities by effectively assessing, evaluating, and filtering information. People who are more adaptable and open to new ideas and viewpoints are better able to succeed in various contexts and scenarios.

Further Reading from Skills You Need

The Skills You Need Guide for Students

Develop the skills you need to make the most of your time as a student.

Our eBooks are ideal for students at all stages of education, school, college and university. They are full of easy-to-follow practical information that will help you to learn more effectively and get better grades.

As the world undergoes constant transformations, it becomes increasingly important to possess the skills to analyze situations critically and adjust accordingly. By improving our capacity for critical thinking, we can become more self-assured, knowledgeable, and empowered individuals who can successfully navigate the intricacies of the world. Therefore, we must consistently push ourselves to question everything, think critically, and make informed decisions based on evidence and logical thinking.

About the Author

Meet Sarah Johnson, a professional self-development coach. She has been helping people improve and achieve their life goals for 10 years. She shares her expertise through webinars and blogs. When she's not busy, Sarah enjoys hiking, exploring new cities, and spending time with her two cats.

Continue to: Critical Thinking and Fake News Critical Reading and Reading Strategy

See also: The Basic Elements of Critical Thinking: Building Skills for Better Decision-Making The Psychology of Decision-Making: Understanding Cognitive Biases That Affect Choices Empowering Seniors: Must-Have Skills for Detecting Fake News

Why Critical Thinking Is Important (& How to Improve It)

Last updated September 11, 2024. Edited and medically reviewed by Patrick Alban, DC . Written by Deane Alban .

By improving the quality of your thoughts and your decisions, better critical thinking skills can bring about a big positive change in your life. Learn how.

The quality of your life largely depends on the quality of the decisions you make.

Amazingly, the average person makes roughly 35,000 conscious decisions every day! 

Imagine how much better your life would be if there were a way to make better decisions, day in and day out.

Well, there is and you do it by boosting a skill called critical thinking .

Learning to master critical thinking can have a profoundly positive impact on nearly every aspect of your life.

What Exactly Is Critical Thinking?

The first documented account of critical thinking is the teachings of Socrates as recorded by Plato. 

Over time, the definition of critical thinking has evolved.

Most definitions of critical thinking are fairly complex and best understood by philosophy majors or psychologists.

For example, the Foundation for Critical Thinking , a nonprofit think tank, offers this definition:

“Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.”

If that makes your head spin, here are some definitions you may find more relatable.

Critical thinking is “reasonable, reflective thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do.”

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Or, a catchy way of defining critical thinking is “deciding what’s true and what you should do.”

But my favorite uber-simple definition is that critical thinking is simply “thinking about thinking.”

6 Major Benefits of Good Critical Thinking Skills

Whether or not you think critically can make the difference between success and failure in just about every area of your life.

Our human brains are imperfect and prone to irrationality, distortions, prejudices, and cognitive biases .

Cognitive biases are systematic patterns of irrational thinking.

While the number of cognitive biases varies depending on the source, Wikipedia, for example, lists nearly 200 of them ! 

Some of the most well-known cognitive biases include:

• catastrophic thinking
• confirmation bias
• fear of missing out (FOMO)

Critical thinking will help you move past the limitations of irrational thinking.

Here are some of the most important ways critical thinking can impact your life.

1. Critical Thinking Is a Key to Career Success

There are many professions where critical thinking is an absolute must.

Lawyers, analysts, accountants, doctors, engineers, reporters, and scientists of all kinds must apply critical thinking frequently.

But critical thinking is a skill set that is becoming increasingly valuable in a growing number of professions.

Critical thinking can help you in any profession where you must:

• analyze information
• systematically solve problems
• generate innovative solutions
• plan strategically
• think creatively
• present your work or ideas to others in a way that can be readily understood

And, as we enter the fourth industrial revolution , critical thinking has become one of the most sought-after skills.

According to the World Economic Forum , critical thinking and complex problem-solving are the two top in-demand skills that employers look for. 

Critical thinking is considered a soft or enterprise skill — a core attribute required to succeed in the workplace . 

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• Helps increase resilience to stress to avoid mental burnout
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According to The University of Arizona, other soft skills include : 

• interpersonal skills
• communication skills
• digital literacy

Critical thinking can help you develop the rest of these soft skills.

Developing your critical thinking can help you land a job since many employers will ask you interview questions or even give you a test to determine how well you can think critically.

It can also help you continually succeed in your career as being a critical thinker is a powerful predictor of long-term success.

2. Critical Thinkers Make Better Decisions

Every day you make thousands of decisions.

Most of them are made by your subconscious , are not very important, and don’t require much thought, such as what to wear or what to have for lunch. 

But the most important decisions you make can be hard and require a lot of thought, such as when or if you should change jobs, relocate to a new city, buy a house, get married, or have kids.

At work, you may have to make decisions that can alter the course of your career or the lives of others.

Critical thinking helps you cope with everyday problems as they arise.

It promotes independent thinking and strengthens your inner “BS detector.”

It helps you make sense of the glut of data and information available, making you a smarter consumer who is less likely to fall for advertising hype, peer pressure, or scams.

3. Critical Thinking Can Make You Happier

Knowing and understanding yourself is an underappreciated path to happiness. 

You’ve already seen how your quality of life largely depends on the quality of your decisions, but equally as important is the quality of your thoughts.

Critical thinking is an excellent tool to help you better understand yourself and to master your thoughts.

You can use critical thinking to free yourself from cognitive biases, negative thinking , and limiting beliefs that are holding you back in any area of your life.

Critical thinking can help you assess your strengths and weaknesses so that you know what you have to offer others and where you could use improvement.

Critical thinking will enable you to better express your thoughts, ideas, and beliefs.

Better communication helps others understand you better, resulting in less frustration all around.

Critical thinking fosters creativity and out-of-the-box thinking that can be applied to any area of your life.

It gives you a process you can rely on, making decisions less stressful.

4. Critical Thinking Ensures That Your Opinions Are Well-Informed

We have access to more information than ever before .

Astoundingly, more data has been created in the past two years than in the entire previous history of mankind. 

Critical thinking can help you sort through the noise.

American politician, sociologist, and diplomat Daniel Patrick Moynihan once remarked , “You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts.” 

Critical thinking ensures your opinions are well-informed and based on the best available facts.

You’ll get a boost in confidence when you see that those around you trust your well-considered opinions.

5. Critical Thinking Improves Relationships

You might be concerned that critical thinking will turn you into a Spock-like character who is not very good at relationships.

But, in fact, the opposite is true.

Employing critical thinking makes you more open-minded and better able to understand others’ points of view.

Critical thinkers are more empathetic and in a better position to get along with different kinds of people.

Critical thinking keeps you from jumping to conclusions.

You can be counted on to be the voice of reason when arguments get heated.

You’ll be better able to detect when others:

• are being disingenuous
• don’t have your best interests at heart
• try to take advantage of or manipulate you

6. Critical Thinking Makes You a Better, More Informed Citizen

“An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people.”

This quote has been incorrectly attributed to Thomas Jefferson , but regardless of the source, these words of wisdom are more relevant than ever. 

Critical thinkers are able to see both sides of any issue and are more likely to generate bipartisan solutions.

They are less likely to be swayed by propaganda or get swept up in mass hysteria.

They are in a better position to spot fake news when they see it.

5 Steps to Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills

Some people already have well-developed critical thinking skills.

These people are analytical, inquisitive, and open to new ideas.

And, even though they are confident in their own opinions, they seek the truth, even if it proves their existing ideas to be wrong.

They are able to connect the dots between ideas and detect inconsistencies in others’ thinking.

But regardless of the state of your critical thinking skills today, it’s a skill set you can develop.

While there are many techniques for thinking rationally, here’s a classic 5-step critical thinking process . 

How to Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills

Clearly define your question or problem.

This step is so important that Albert Einstein famously quipped:

“If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.”

Gather Information to Help You Weigh the Options

Consider only the most useful and reliable information from the most reputable sources.

Disregard the rest.

Apply the Information and Ask Critical Questions

Scrutinize all information carefully with a skeptic’s eye.

Not sure what questions to ask?

You can’t go wrong starting with the “5 Ws” that any good investigator asks: Who? What? Where? When? Why?

Then finish by asking “How?”

You’ll find more thought-provoking questions on this Critical Thinking Skills Cheatsheet .

Consider the Implications

Look for potential unintended consequences.

Do a thought experiment about how your solution could play out in both the short term and the long run.

Explore the Full Spectrum of Viewpoints

Examine why others are drawn to differing points of view.

This will help you objectively evaluate your own viewpoint.

You may find critical thinkers who take an opposing view and this can help you find gaps in your own logic.

Watch the Video

This TED-Ed video on YouTube elaborates on the five steps to improve your critical thinking.

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• Improve your mental clarity and focus.
• Boost your memory and your ability to learn.
• Increase your capacity to think critically, solve problems, and make decisions.

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5 Ways to Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills

Introduction.

Critical thinking skills are essential in today’s complex and rapidly changing world. They enable individuals to analyze information, evaluate arguments, and make more informed decisions. In a society overwhelmed with information and opinions, having strong critical thinking skills is crucial for navigating through the noise and arriving at well-reasoned conclusions.

By developing and honing our critical thinking skills, we can avoid being swayed by biases, false information, or emotional manipulation. Instead, we can rely on logical reasoning and evidence to form our opinions and make choices. Whether it’s in the workplace, academics, or everyday life, the ability to think critically allows us to approach problems and decision-making with clarity and precision.

Improving our critical thinking skills also enhances our problem-solving abilities. It enables us to dissect complex issues, break them down into manageable parts, and identify the most effective solutions. With practice and dedication, anyone can cultivate and strengthen their critical thinking skills, resulting in more confident and well-rounded decision-making.

In the following sections, we will explore five strategies that can help improve critical thinking skills. By incorporating these strategies into our daily lives, we can enhance our ability to ask questions, analyze arguments, seek multiple perspectives, practice problem-solving, and engage in self-reflection. These tools will empower us to make more thoughtful, informed, and reasoned choices in all aspects of our lives. So let’s dive in and discover how we can sharpen our critical thinking skills together.

Strategy 1: Ask Questions

In order to improve your critical thinking skills, one of the most effective strategies is to ask questions. Asking questions allows you to gather information, challenge assumptions, and gain a deeper understanding of a situation. By questioning, you can uncover hidden complexities and nuances that may not be immediately apparent.

Importance of asking questions

Asking questions is an essential component of critical thinking because it helps you challenge the status quo and encourages you to think beyond surface-level information. When you ask questions, you demonstrate curiosity and a desire for knowledge, which are key attributes of critical thinkers. Furthermore, asking questions can help you avoid making assumptions and relying solely on second-hand information.

Effective questioning techniques

To improve your critical thinking skills through questioning, it is important to use effective techniques. Here are some examples:

Open-ended questions: Instead of asking closed-ended questions that elicit a simple yes or no answer, opt for open-ended questions that encourage a more detailed response. For example, instead of asking, “Did you like the book?”, ask, “What did you find interesting about the book?”

Probing questions: Use probing questions to delve deeper into a topic and encourage the person you are questioning to provide more information. For instance, you can ask, “Can you explain your thought process behind that decision?” or “What evidence supports your claim?”

Socratic questioning: This technique involves asking a series of questions to guide the person’s thinking and help them arrive at a logical conclusion. Socratic questioning is particularly useful for analyzing arguments and identifying flawed reasoning. For example, you can ask, “What are the underlying assumptions in that argument?” or “What evidence supports this claim?”

Developing the habit of asking questions

Incorporating the habit of asking questions into your daily life can greatly enhance your critical thinking skills. Here are some tips to help you develop this habit:

Be curious: Cultivate a natural curiosity about the world around you. Ask questions about everything, from everyday occurrences to complex issues. By consistently seeking knowledge, you will gradually become more adept at critical thinking.

Practice active listening: When engaged in a conversation or listening to a presentation, actively listen to what is being said. Pay attention to areas that seem unclear or contradictory and formulate questions to seek clarification or challenge assumptions.

Encourage dialogue and debate: Engage in discussions and debates with others, as this will provide opportunities for questioning and critical thinking. Surround yourself with people who have diverse perspectives and encourage them to express their viewpoints.

Embrace uncertainty: Recognize that asking questions may lead to uncertainty and ambiguity. Embrace these moments as opportunities for growth and learning. Remember, critical thinking is about exploring different possibilities, not always finding definitive answers.

In conclusion, asking questions is a powerful strategy for improving your critical thinking skills. By questioning assumptions, seeking deeper understanding, and challenging flawed reasoning, you can enhance your decision-making abilities and become a more informed and analytical thinker. So, start incorporating the habit of asking questions into your daily life and reap the benefits of improved critical thinking.

Strategy 2: Analyze Arguments

Analyzing arguments is a crucial skill in developing critical thinking abilities. By evaluating the validity and soundness of arguments, individuals can make more informed decisions and avoid falling prey to faulty reasoning. Here are some effective techniques for analyzing arguments:

1. Identify logical fallacies

Logical fallacies are common errors in reasoning that can undermine the strength of an argument. By familiarizing ourselves with these fallacies, we can spot them in arguments and critically evaluate their validity. Some common examples of logical fallacies include:

• Ad Hominem: Attacking the person making the argument instead of addressing the argument itself.
• Straw Man: Misrepresenting or exaggerating someone’s argument to make it easier to attack.
• Appeal to Authority: Using the opinion of an authority figure as evidence without considering the actual merits of the argument.
• False Dichotomy: Presenting only two options when more exist, thereby oversimplifying the issue at hand.

Being able to identify logical fallacies allows us to unravel flawed arguments and form more accurate conclusions based on logical reasoning.

2. Evaluate evidence and supporting claims

When analyzing an argument, it is essential to evaluate the evidence and supporting claims presented. Take a closer look at the sources cited, the data provided, and whether they are reliable and relevant. Scrutinize the logical connections between the evidence and the claims and determine if they are valid and well-supported.

3. Consider counterarguments

Critical thinking involves considering various perspectives on an issue. When analyzing an argument, it is vital to anticipate and address potential counterarguments. By actively seeking out opposing viewpoints and engaging with them, we can strengthen our own arguments or identify weaknesses that need to be addressed.

4. Assess the credibility of the author

The credibility of the author can play a significant role in evaluating the strength of an argument. Consider the author’s expertise, credentials, and possible biases. Evaluate whether they have a vested interest in the argument or any ulterior motives that may affect their objectivity. By critically assessing the author’s credibility, we can make more informed judgments about the argument’s reliability.

5. Weigh the strength of supporting evidence

Not all evidence holds equal weight. When analyzing an argument, it is crucial to evaluate the strength of the supporting evidence presented. Look for evidence that is logical, factual, and verifiable. Consider the breadth and depth of the evidence provided, as well as any alternative explanations or counter-evidence that may weaken the argument’s validity.

6. Follow the logical structure of the argument

Analyzing arguments requires examining the logical structure and cohesiveness of the reasoning presented. Identify the premises, or the supporting statements, and the conclusion, or the main claim. Consider if the premises logically lead to the conclusion or if there are any gaps in reasoning. By following the logical structure, we can assess the validity of the argument’s logical flow.

Examples of how to critically analyze popular arguments

To demonstrate the application of the techniques discussed, let’s analyze a popular argument:

Argument: “The death penalty serves as an effective deterrent against crime.”

Identify logical fallacies: In this argument, there is potential for the fallacy of false cause - assuming a cause-and-effect relationship between the death penalty and crime rates without sufficient evidence.

Evaluate evidence and supporting claims: Look for studies or data that support the claim that the death penalty deters crime. Consider the quality and reliability of the sources cited.

Consider counterarguments: Engage with opposing viewpoints, such as arguments suggesting that the death penalty is not an effective deterrent, or that alternative punishments can achieve the same outcome.

Assess the credibility of the author: Consider the qualifications and biases of the individuals or organizations presenting the argument. Explore differing perspectives and research to gain a well-rounded understanding.

Weigh the strength of supporting evidence: Evaluate the quality and relevance of the evidence presented. Are there alternative explanations or counter-evidence that challenge the claim?

Follow the logical structure of the argument: Identify the premises and conclusion of the argument. Is there a logical connection between the premises and the conclusion? Are there any gaps in reasoning?

By critically analyzing popular arguments or any arguments encountered in daily life, we can sharpen our critical thinking skills and make informed judgments based on sound reasoning and evidence.

Strategy 3: Seek Multiple Perspectives

Seeking multiple perspectives is an essential component of critical thinking. It involves actively considering diverse viewpoints to gain a more well-rounded understanding of a situation. By seeking multiple perspectives, individuals can challenge their own assumptions, broaden their knowledge, and make more informed decisions. Here are some tips on how to effectively seek multiple perspectives:

Actively Engage in Dialogue

Engaging in dialogue with individuals who have different opinions or experiences is an effective way to seek multiple perspectives. This can be done through conversations, panel discussions, or even online forums. Actively listen to what others have to say, ask follow-up questions, and try to understand their point of view. By engaging in constructive dialogue, you can gain valuable insights and challenge your own biases.

Read Widely

Another way to seek multiple perspectives is to read widely on a particular topic. Look for books, articles, and research papers that present different viewpoints. Consider the sources and authors’ backgrounds to ensure you’re exposed to a diverse range of perspectives. Reading widely will not only help you understand different viewpoints but also expose you to new ideas and arguments.

Seek Out Diverse Sources of Information

In today’s digital age, it’s important to seek out diverse sources of information. Be cautious of succumbing to confirmation bias, where you only seek information that confirms your existing beliefs. Instead, deliberately seek out sources that may challenge your perspective. This might include reading news articles from different publications, following diverse voices on social media, or even attending events or conferences that feature speakers with differing opinions.

Encourage and Respect Diverse Opinions

When seeking multiple perspectives, it’s essential to create an environment that encourages and respects diverse opinions. Foster open and inclusive discussions where people feel comfortable expressing their views. Encourage others to share their thoughts and actively listen to their perspectives. By creating a safe space for diverse opinions, you can foster a culture of critical thinking and intellectual growth.

Recognize the Limitations of Your Own Perspective

Lastly, it’s important to recognize the limitations of your own perspective. Understand that your background, experiences, and beliefs shape the way you view the world. By acknowledging your biases and being open to different viewpoints, you can overcome narrow-mindedness and develop a more comprehensive understanding of complex issues.

By seeking multiple perspectives, individuals can enhance their critical thinking skills, challenge their assumptions, and make more well-informed decisions. Embrace diverse opinions, engage in dialogue, read widely, and encourage a culture of open-mindedness. By incorporating this strategy into your life, you can expand your knowledge and perspective, ultimately improving your critical thinking skills.

Strategy 4: Practice Problem Solving

Problem-solving is an essential skill in critical thinking as it helps individuals navigate complex situations and make informed decisions. By practicing problem-solving exercises, you can enhance your critical thinking skills and develop a systematic approach to tackle challenges. Here are some tips and examples to improve your problem-solving abilities:

Tip 1: Define the Problem

Before diving into finding a solution, it is crucial to clearly define the problem at hand. Take the time to understand the context, identify the underlying issues, and determine what needs to be resolved. This step ensures that you are addressing the root cause rather than just treating the symptoms.

“The formulation of the problem is often more essential than its solution, which may be merely a matter of mathematical or experimental skill.” - Albert Einstein

Tip 2: Gather Relevant Information

To solve a problem effectively, you need to gather all the necessary information. This involves researching, gathering data, and seeking insights from various sources. By collecting relevant information, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of the problem and make well-informed decisions.

Tip 3: Analyze and Evaluate Options

Once you have gathered the necessary information, it is time to analyze and evaluate your options. Consider different approaches, strategies, and potential solutions. Assess each option carefully, weighing their advantages, disadvantages, and potential outcomes. Effective critical thinkers critically evaluate each option before making a decision.

Tip 4: Implement and Monitor

After analyzing and evaluating your options, you need to implement the chosen solution. Break down the solution into actionable steps and create a plan of action. As you implement the solution, continually monitor the progress and make necessary adjustments along the way. Problem-solving is an iterative process, and monitoring allows you to assess the effectiveness of your chosen solution.

Example: Resolving a Team Conflict

Let’s take a real-life scenario to illustrate how problem-solving can be applied:

Suppose you are a manager overseeing a team, and two team members are having a conflict that is affecting the team’s overall productivity. To resolve this issue, you can apply the problem-solving process:

Define the Problem: Identify the nature of the conflict and its impact on the team and its goals. Clarify the underlying reasons for the disagreement.

Gather Relevant Information: Talk to the involved parties individually to understand their perspectives. Consider any previous incidents, team dynamics, and any other factors that may contribute to the conflict.

Analyze and Evaluate Options: Brainstorm possible solutions with the involved team members. Consider options like mediation, conflict resolution training, or reassigning tasks. Analyze the pros and cons of each option.

Implement and Monitor: Choose the most suitable solution and create an action plan. Schedule a mediation session, involve HR if necessary, and monitor the progress. Regularly check-in with the team members involved to ensure the conflict is resolved.

By following this problem-solving process, you can effectively address and resolve the conflict within your team, fostering a healthier work environment and enhancing productivity.

Problem-solving exercises provide an opportunity to sharpen your critical thinking skills. By regularly practicing problem-solving techniques, you can develop a systematic approach, improve your analytical abilities, and make better decisions in various aspects of life.

Remember, problem-solving is not just about finding a solution; it’s about understanding the problem, evaluating options, and implementing effective strategies. Embrace problem-solving as a way to enhance your critical thinking skills and navigate challenges with confidence.

Strategy 5: Reflect and Self-Evaluate

Reflection and self-evaluation are crucial components of improving critical thinking skills. Taking the time to reflect on your own thoughts and actions allows you to gain a deeper understanding of your reasoning process and identify areas for improvement. Here are some techniques for incorporating reflection and self-evaluation into your daily life:

Journaling : Keeping a journal can be an effective way to reflect on your thoughts and experiences. Take a few minutes each day to write down your reflections on a particular decision, problem-solving process, or argument analysis. This will allow you to track your progress over time and identify patterns in your thinking.

Mental check-ins : Set aside regular intervals throughout the day to mentally check in with yourself. Ask yourself questions like, “How did I arrive at this conclusion?” or “What biases or assumptions might be influencing my thinking?” This practice will help you become more aware of your cognitive processes in various situations.

Seek feedback : Actively seek feedback from others to gain different perspectives on your thinking. Engage in discussions with peers, seek input from mentors or colleagues, or join online communities where you can share your thoughts and receive constructive criticism. This feedback can help you identify blind spots and challenge your assumptions.

Identify cognitive biases : Familiarize yourself with common cognitive biases that can hinder critical thinking, such as confirmation bias, availability bias, or anchoring bias. Reflect on how these biases might impact your decision-making process, and consciously try to overcome them by seeking out contradictory information or alternative viewpoints.

Set goals for improvement : Regularly set goals for yourself to improve your critical thinking skills. These goals can be specific, such as analyzing one argument per week or actively seeking out diverse viewpoints on a particular topic. Keeping track of your progress and celebrating small victories will motivate you to continue growing.

Incorporating reflection and self-evaluation into your daily life will not only improve your critical thinking skills but also enhance your overall self-awareness and decision-making abilities. By understanding your own cognitive processes and biases, you can make more informed and rational choices. Remember, critical thinking is an ongoing journey, and with practice and reflection, you can continue to sharpen your skills and make better decisions.

In conclusion, improving critical thinking skills is crucial in today’s fast-paced and complex world. By honing these skills, individuals can make more informed decisions and navigate through the various challenges they encounter in their personal and professional lives.

Throughout this article, we have explored five effective strategies to enhance critical thinking skills.

Firstly, asking questions is a fundamental aspect of critical thinking. By asking the right questions, individuals can gather relevant information, challenge assumptions, and gain a deeper understanding of a situation. Developing the habit of asking questions can greatly enhance critical thinking skills.

Secondly, analyzing arguments is another key strategy. By critically examining the validity of arguments, individuals can spot logical fallacies and weak points. This enables them to make well-informed judgments and avoid being swayed by flawed reasoning. Examples of how to analyze popular arguments have been provided to illustrate this strategy.

Seeking multiple perspectives is the third strategy discussed. Considering different viewpoints expands one’s understanding and prevents bias. Actively seeking out diverse perspectives allows individuals to gain new insights and make more well-rounded decisions. Tips on how to incorporate this strategy into everyday life have been shared.

Next, practicing problem-solving is emphasized. Engaging in problem-solving exercises enhances critical thinking skills by encouraging individuals to approach complex problems systematically. Tips and examples of problem-solving scenarios have been provided to guide readers in developing their problem-solving abilities.

Lastly, reflection and self-evaluation play a vital role in improving critical thinking skills. Taking the time to reflect on experiences, decisions, and thought processes allows individuals to identify areas for improvement. Additionally, self-evaluation techniques enable individuals to assess their own critical thinking skills and work on further enhancing them. Incorporating reflection into daily life is essential for continuous growth and development.

Incorporating these five strategies into our lives can have a profound impact on our critical thinking abilities. By asking questions, analyzing arguments, seeking multiple perspectives, practicing problem-solving, and reflecting on our thoughts and actions, we can improve our decision-making skills and approach challenges with greater clarity and confidence.

It is important to remember that developing critical thinking skills is an ongoing process. With practice and persistence, we can continue to refine our critical thinking abilities and make better choices in all aspects of our lives. So let’s embrace these strategies and unlock our full potential for critical thinking!

Busting Myths About Impartial Analysis

The dark side of resilience: when perseverance becomes toxic, the power of storytelling in critical analysis, the inconvenient truth behind climate change, why laughter is the best medicine for analytical minds.

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Critical Thinking: Where to Begin

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If you are new to critical thinking or wish to deepen your conception of it, we recommend you review the content below and bookmark this page for future reference.

Our Conception of Critical Thinking...

"Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. In its exemplary form, it is based on universal intellectual values that transcend subject matter divisions: clarity, accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good reasons, depth, breadth, and fairness..."

"Critical thinking is self-guided, self-disciplined thinking which attempts to reason at the highest level of quality in a fairminded way. People who think critically attempt, with consistent and conscious effort, to live rationally, reasonably, and empathically. They are keenly aware of the inherently flawed nature of human thinking when left unchecked. They strive to diminish the power of their egocentric and sociocentric tendencies. They use the intellectual tools that critical thinking offers – concepts and principles that enable them to analyze, assess, and improve thinking. They work diligently to develop the intellectual virtues of intellectual integrity, intellectual humility, intellectual civility, intellectual empathy, intellectual sense of justice and confidence in reason. They realize that no matter how skilled they are as thinkers, they can always improve their reasoning abilities and they will at times fall prey to mistakes in reasoning, human irrationality, prejudices, biases, distortions, uncritically accepted social rules and taboos, self-interest, and vested interest.

They strive to improve the world in whatever ways they can and contribute to a more rational, civilized society. At the same time, they recognize the complexities often inherent in doing so. They strive never to think simplistically about complicated issues and always to consider the rights and needs of relevant others. They recognize the complexities in developing as thinkers, and commit themselves to life-long practice toward self-improvement. They embody the Socratic principle: The unexamined life is not worth living , because they realize that many unexamined lives together result in an uncritical, unjust, dangerous world."

Why Critical Thinking?

The Problem:

Everyone thinks; it is our nature to do so. But much of our thinking, left to itself, is biased, distorted, partial, uninformed, or down-right prejudiced. Yet the quality of our lives and that of what we produce, make, or build depends precisely on the quality of our thought. Shoddy thinking is costly, both in money and in quality of life. Excellence in thought, however, must be systematically cultivated.

A Brief Definition:

Critical thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it. The Result: 

  A well-cultivated critical thinker:

• raises vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely;
• gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively;
• comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards;
• thinks openmindedly within alternative systems of thought, recognizing and assessing, as need be, their assumptions, implications, and practical consequences; and
• communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems.

Critical thinking is, in short, self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It requires rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to overcoming our native egocentrism and sociocentrism. Read more about our concept of critical thinking .

The Essential Dimensions of Critical Thinking

Our conception of critical thinking is based on the substantive approach developed by Dr. Richard Paul and his colleagues at the Center and Foundation for Critical Thinking over multiple decades. It is relevant to every subject, discipline, and profession, and to reasoning through the problems of everyday life. It entails five essential dimensions of critical thinking:

At the left is an overview of the first three dimensions. In sum, the elements or structures of thought enable us to "take our thinking apart" and analyze it. The intellectual standards are used to assess and evaluate the elements. The intellectual traits are dispositions of mind embodied by the fairminded critical thinker. To cultivate the mind, we need command of these essential dimensions, and we need to consistently apply them as we think through the many problems and issues in our lives.

The Elements of Reasoning and Intellectual Standards

To learn more about the elements of thought and how to apply the intellectual standards, check out our interactive model. Simply click on the link below, scroll to the bottom of the page, and explore the model with your mouse.

Why the Analysis of Thinking Is Important If you want to think well, you must understand at least the rudiments of thought, the most basic structures out of which all thinking is made. You must learn how to take thinking apart. Analyzing the Logic of a Subject When we understand the elements of reasoning, we realize that all subjects, all disciplines, have a fundamental logic defined by the structures of thought embedded within them. Therefore, to lay bare a subject’s most fundamental logic, we should begin with these questions:

Going Deeper...

The Critical Thinking Bookstore  

Our online bookstore houses numerous books and teacher's manuals , Thinker's Guides , videos , and other educational materials .  

Learn From Our Fellows and Scholars

Watch our Event Calendar , which provides an overview of all upcoming conferences and academies hosted by the Foundation for Critical Thinking. Clicking an entry on the Event Calendar will bring up that event's details, and the option to register. For those interested in online learning, the Foundation offers accredited online courses in critical thinking for both educators and the general public, as well as an online test for evaluating basic comprehension of critical thinking concepts . We are in the process of developing more online learning tools and tests to offer the community.  

Utilizing this Website

This website contains large amounts research and an online library of articles , both of which are freely available to the public. We also invite you to become a member of the Critical Thinking Community , where you will gain access to more tools and materials.  If you cannot locate a resource on a specific topic or concept, try searching for it using our Search Tool . The Search Tool is at the upper-right of every page on the website.

50+ critical thinking questions for students

As the demand for critical thinkers increases, educators must prioritize developing students’ critical thinking skills. And, as critical thinking is a transferable skill, you can incorporate these critical thinking questions throughout the curriculum and across subjects!

At Kialo Edu , we’re committed to helping you nurture critical thinking in your students through engaging written discussions . We’ve carefully crafted a list of critical thinking questions designed to challenge students and empower them to navigate complex problems with confidence and creativity. Kialo is completely free and always will be , so why not try these questions with your students to build their critical thinking skills through discussion?

What is critical thinking?

Critical thinking is the skill of clear, rational thought. Critical thinkers go beyond accepting information at face value; they interpret and analyze information to form their own evidence-based conclusions.

They also approach questions from multiple perspectives , actively seek out opposing viewpoints, and challenge their own assumptions.

Why do students need to learn critical thinking?

Critical thinking enables students to articulate their perspective, make informed decisions, and solve problems effectively, thereby supporting their civic engagement .

Moreover, in the digital age, students can leverage critical thinking to question biases and assumptions and employ evidence-based reasoning to combat mis- and disinformation. Ultimately, mastering critical thinking equips students to succeed personally, academically, and professionally. 

By using critical thinking questions throughout lessons, you can help students build a toolkit of critical thinking skills that they can apply to tackle complex issues now and in the future.

Critical thinking questions to evaluate evidence

In today’s information-rich world, students must learn to critically evaluate the evidence they use to support their viewpoints and make informed decisions. Applying these questions in a Kialo discussion will guide students to select the strongest sources to support their claims.

• How strong is the evidence supporting your argument?
• Are there any counterexamples?
• Are there opposing viewpoints that challenge your evidence?
• How have you ensured the accuracy of your evidence?
• How does this evidence relate to the argument?
• What are the limitations of this evidence?
• Can you summarize the main evidence used to support your argument?
• How do experts in this field view your evidence?
• What might the consequences be if this evidence is flawed?
• Are the inferences being made from the data legitimate?
• Why was this methodology used?
• Was an appropriate-sized sample used?

Critical thinking questions to challenge assumptions

Using critical thinking questions to challenge assumptions teaches students to critically examine their beliefs and thought processes. This helps them identify biases and gaps in their reasoning. Kialo’s “sunburst” mini-map can help support students in visualizing the overall discussion to check that they have presented a balanced overview.

• Can you describe the assumptions you are making?
• Why do you believe this is a valid assumption?
• What if this assumption is incorrect?
• Can you make an alternative assumption?
• What evidence supports your assumption?
• What would happen if we questioned this assumption?
• How does this assumption influence your argument?
• Are there any biases influencing your assumption?
• What is the basis for your assumption?
• What are the biases or assumptions behind the information?
• How have biases or assumptions affected the framing of the problem?

Critical thinking questions to analyze perspectives

• Can you explain any alternative perspectives on this issue?
• How might someone with a different background interpret this?
• How strong are the opposing arguments?
• How might culture influence perspectives on this topic?
• How would a skeptic respond to your argument?
• How might different groups of people view this issue?
• How does historical context influence this perspective?
• How might personal experiences have shaped this perspective?
• What are the implications of accepting this perspective?

Critical thinking questions to assess the validity of arguments

Kialo discussions display arguments visually in a branching framework, so students can easily assess the validity of pros and cons and improve their own arguments. Students can even use Voting and comments to evaluate claims!

• How did you select the evidence to evaluate this argument?
• How can you assess the reliability of this evidence?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of this argument?
• How does this argument compare to others on the same issue?
• How might biases affect the evaluation of this issue?
• What benchmarks can we use to assess this claim?
• Is the reasoning logical and coherent?
• How well does this argument address counterarguments?
• Should we accept this position?
• How can you assess the value of this argument?
• Why is argument A better than argument B?

Critical thinking questions to explore consequences

• What if we had unlimited resources to solve this problem?
• How could we avoid this problem in the future?
• What if we approached the problem from a different angle?
• How would the outcome differ if we changed one variable?
• What might be the consequences or outcomes of this?
• How might this affect other outcomes?
• How might different stakeholders be affected?
• What are the long-term implications of this?
• What are the associated risks?
• Might there be any unintended consequences?
• How might this impact future developments?
• What would happen if this solution were implemented?
• How would you adapt this to create a different outcome?

Critical thinking questions to examine synthesis

• How do these ideas connect to our learning?
• How do these ideas connect to each other?
• Can you combine these viewpoints into a new perspective?
• Can you identify patterns among the different arguments?
• How can we integrate this new information into our understanding?
• What new conclusions can we draw from this evidence?
• How can we incorporate multiple perspectives in our solution?
• What is the overarching theme in these arguments?
• How might these ideas collectively influence future research?
• How do these findings relate to other research studies?

Critical thinking questions to prompt reflection

Using critical thinking questions for reflection not only gives students deeper insights into their own learning, but also fosters the development of key social-emotional learning skills like self-awareness, decision-making, and resilience.

• What did you learn from this?
• How has your perspective changed as a result of this evidence?
• What obstacles did you encounter while developing your argument?
• How do your personal beliefs influence your analysis?
• Can we identify any unanswered questions?
• How would you apply what you’ve learned to this situation?
• What insights have you gained about your own thinking?
• How do your personal experiences shape your understanding?

Use these critical thinking questions throughout your lessons to arm students with critical thinking skills for future success! Start by heading over to Kialo Edu’s Topic Library , where you’ll find hundreds of ready-made discussion prompts searchable by age and curriculum subject to maximize participation and build students’ critical thinking abilities.

We’d love to add your ideas to our inspiring list of critical thinking questions. Contact us at [email protected] or on social media.

Want to try Kialo Edu with your class?

Sign up for free and use Kialo Edu to have thoughtful classroom discussions and train students’ argumentation and critical thinking skills.

Helping Students Hone Their Critical Thinking Skills

Used consistently, these strategies can help middle and high school teachers guide students to improve much-needed skills.

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Critical thinking skills are important in every discipline, at and beyond school. From managing money to choosing which candidates to vote for in elections to making difficult career choices, students need to be prepared to take in, synthesize, and act on new information in a world that is constantly changing.

While critical thinking might seem like an abstract idea that is tough to directly instruct, there are many engaging ways to help students strengthen these skills through active learning.

Make Time for Metacognitive Reflection

Create space for students to both reflect on their ideas and discuss the power of doing so. Show students how they can push back on their own thinking to analyze and question their assumptions. Students might ask themselves, “Why is this the best answer? What information supports my answer? What might someone with a counterargument say?”

Through this reflection, students and teachers (who can model reflecting on their own thinking) gain deeper understandings of their ideas and do a better job articulating their beliefs. In a world that is go-go-go, it is important to help students understand that it is OK to take a breath and think about their ideas before putting them out into the world. And taking time for reflection helps us more thoughtfully consider others’ ideas, too.

Teach Reasoning Skills 

Reasoning skills are another key component of critical thinking, involving the abilities to think logically, evaluate evidence, identify assumptions, and analyze arguments. Students who learn how to use reasoning skills will be better equipped to make informed decisions, form and defend opinions, and solve problems. 

One way to teach reasoning is to use problem-solving activities that require students to apply their skills to practical contexts. For example, give students a real problem to solve, and ask them to use reasoning skills to develop a solution. They can then present their solution and defend their reasoning to the class and engage in discussion about whether and how their thinking changed when listening to peers’ perspectives. 

A great example I have seen involved students identifying an underutilized part of their school and creating a presentation about one way to redesign it. This project allowed students to feel a sense of connection to the problem and come up with creative solutions that could help others at school. For more examples, you might visit PBS’s Design Squad , a resource that brings to life real-world problem-solving.

Ask Open-Ended Questions 

Moving beyond the repetition of facts, critical thinking requires students to take positions and explain their beliefs through research, evidence, and explanations of credibility. 

When we pose open-ended questions, we create space for classroom discourse inclusive of diverse, perhaps opposing, ideas—grounds for rich exchanges that support deep thinking and analysis. 

For example, “How would you approach the problem?” and “Where might you look to find resources to address this issue?” are two open-ended questions that position students to think less about the “right” answer and more about the variety of solutions that might already exist. 

Journaling, whether digitally or physically in a notebook, is another great way to have students answer these open-ended prompts—giving them time to think and organize their thoughts before contributing to a conversation, which can ensure that more voices are heard. 

Once students process in their journal, small group or whole class conversations help bring their ideas to life. Discovering similarities between answers helps reveal to students that they are not alone, which can encourage future participation in constructive civil discourse.

Teach Information Literacy 

Education has moved far past the idea of “Be careful of what is on Wikipedia, because it might not be true.” With AI innovations making their way into classrooms, teachers know that informed readers must question everything. 

Understanding what is and is not a reliable source and knowing how to vet information are important skills for students to build and utilize when making informed decisions. You might start by introducing the idea of bias: Articles, ads, memes, videos, and every other form of media can push an agenda that students may not see on the surface. Discuss credibility, subjectivity, and objectivity, and look at examples and nonexamples of trusted information to prepare students to be well-informed members of a democracy.

One of my favorite lessons is about the Pacific Northwest tree octopus . This project asks students to explore what appears to be a very real website that provides information on this supposedly endangered animal. It is a wonderful, albeit over-the-top, example of how something might look official even when untrue, revealing that we need critical thinking to break down “facts” and determine the validity of the information we consume. 

A fun extension is to have students come up with their own website or newsletter about something going on in school that is untrue. Perhaps a change in dress code that requires everyone to wear their clothes inside out or a change to the lunch menu that will require students to eat brussels sprouts every day. 

Giving students the ability to create their own falsified information can help them better identify it in other contexts. Understanding that information can be “too good to be true” can help them identify future falsehoods. 

Provide Diverse Perspectives 

Consider how to keep the classroom from becoming an echo chamber. If students come from the same community, they may have similar perspectives. And those who have differing perspectives may not feel comfortable sharing them in the face of an opposing majority. 

To support varying viewpoints, bring diverse voices into the classroom as much as possible, especially when discussing current events. Use primary sources: videos from YouTube, essays and articles written by people who experienced current events firsthand, documentaries that dive deeply into topics that require some nuance, and any other resources that provide a varied look at topics. 

I like to use the Smithsonian “OurStory” page , which shares a wide variety of stories from people in the United States. The page on Japanese American internment camps is very powerful because of its first-person perspectives. 

Practice Makes Perfect 

To make the above strategies and thinking routines a consistent part of your classroom, spread them out—and build upon them—over the course of the school year. You might challenge students with information and/or examples that require them to use their critical thinking skills; work these skills explicitly into lessons, projects, rubrics, and self-assessments; or have students practice identifying misinformation or unsupported arguments.

Critical thinking is not learned in isolation. It needs to be explored in English language arts, social studies, science, physical education, math. Every discipline requires students to take a careful look at something and find the best solution. Often, these skills are taken for granted, viewed as a by-product of a good education, but true critical thinking doesn’t just happen. It requires consistency and commitment.

In a moment when information and misinformation abound, and students must parse reams of information, it is imperative that we support and model critical thinking in the classroom to support the development of well-informed citizens.

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This tool will help improve your critical thinking

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Essential Thinking Tools for Better Decision-Making and Collaboration

Effective thinking is more important than ever in today’s complex world. Whether you’re navigating personal challenges or tackling professional projects, harnessing the right thinking tools can enhance your cognitive processes, streamline decision-making, and foster creativity. This article delves deep into various thinking tools, their categories, and how you can leverage them using visual collaboration platforms like Creately.

What Are Thinking Tools?

Thinking tools are techniques, frameworks, or methodologies designed to enhance cognitive processes. These tools help individuals and teams organize their thoughts, analyze information, make decisions, solve problems, and communicate more effectively. They provide structured ways to approach tasks, helping to break down complex ideas into manageable parts, streamline decision-making, and encourage innovative thinking.

In both personal and professional contexts, thinking tools serve as visual maps to achieve clarity, increase productivity, and foster collaboration. Whether you’re tackling a complex project, brainstorming creative solutions, or evaluating different options, thinking tools give you a clearer path to move forward. By making the process of thinking more deliberate and structured, these tools ultimately help improve problem-solving, decision-making, and communication.

In the sections that follow, we’ll dive deeper into various types of thinking tools that can transform how you approach your work and enhance your mental clarity.

Categories of Thinking Tools

In a fast-paced and complex world, having the right thinking tools at your disposal enhances your ability to solve problems, make decisions, and communicate ideas effectively. These tools provide visual frameworks to structure your thoughts, enabling clearer understanding and better results. Below, we explore a range of decision-making, problem-solving, communication, and systems-thinking tools that can be valuable in a wide variety of contexts.

Decision-Making Tools

Making decisions is a critical part of any workflow, and decision-making tools can help you evaluate options and choose the best course of action. These tools simplify complex decision-making processes by organizing data and criteria into manageable formats.

Eisenhower Matrix

The Eisenhower Matrix helps prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance. It categorizes tasks into four quadrants:

• Urgent and important
• Not urgent but important
• Urgent but not important
• Neither urgent nor important

This helps to focus on what truly matters and delegate or eliminate less critical tasks.

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Second-Order Thinking

Second-order thinking encourages you to think beyond the immediate consequences of a decision. By evaluating the long-term effects or ripple effects and potential unintended outcomes, you can avoid short-sighted choices that may lead to problems down the road.

Decision Matrix

A decision matrix is a tool that allows you to compare different options based on various criteria. By assigning weights to each criterion and scoring each option, the matrix provides a clear way to identify the most favorable choice, especially when facing complex decisions.

Impact-Effort Matrix

An impact-effort matrix helps you determine which tasks are worth pursuing by weighing the potential impact against the effort required. It’s particularly useful in resource management and project planning, ensuring you allocate energy to high-impact tasks.

Ladder of Inference

The ladder of inference is a decision-making tool that helps individuals question their assumptions. It encourages you to examine the data on which your decisions are based and avoid jumping to conclusions, leading to more grounded and informed decision-making.

The OODA Loop stands for:

This cyclical process is used to make decisions in rapidly changing environments. By continuously cycling through these stages, you can stay adaptive and responsive to evolving circumstances.

Cynefin Framework

The Cynefin Framework is designed to help decision-makers understand the complexity of the situation they’re dealing with and choose the appropriate response. It divides contexts into five domains each requiring different strategies:

• Complicated

Six Thinking Hats

The six thinking hats technique encourages individuals and teams to look at decisions from multiple perspectives. Each “hat” represents a different mode of thinking— logical , emotional , optimistic , critical , creative , and process-focused —resulting in a more well-rounded approach to decision-making.

Problem-Solving Tools

Problem-solving tools help individuals and teams break down issues, analyze the root causes, and develop practical solutions. These tools are indispensable in both business and everyday life.

Conflict Resolution Diagram

The conflict resolution diagram helps identify conflicting goals and assumptions that cause problems. By resolving these conflicts logically, teams can overcome roadblocks and reach solutions more effectively.

Ishikawa Diagram

Also known as the fishbone diagram , the Ishikawa diagram is used to identify the root causes of a problem. By categorizing causes into different branches, it helps teams visually map out the factors contributing to an issue, making it easier to tackle each cause systematically.

Productive Thinking Model

The productive thinking model is a structured approach to problem-solving that combines creativity and critical thinking. It involves six steps:

• What is going on?
• What is success?
• What is the question?
• Generate answers.
• Forge the solution.
• Align resources.

This model encourages a balance between creative solutions and practical implementation.

An issue tree is a visual breakdown of a larger problem into smaller, more manageable sub-problems. It helps you trace the root cause of an issue and systematically address each contributing factor, ensuring that solutions are comprehensive and targeted.

Communication Tools

Clear communication is essential for collaboration, and these tools provide frameworks for expressing ideas and feedback effectively.

Mood Boards

Mood boards are visual collage tools that help convey the desired aesthetic and emotional tone of a project. They consist of a collection of images, colors, textures, typography, and other design elements that evoke specific feelings or concepts. Mood boards are commonly used in creative fields such as graphic design, interior design, fashion, and marketing to establish a cohesive visual direction. By assembling various elements, mood boards serve as a reference point, facilitating better communication of ideas among team members and stakeholders while providing inspiration throughout the creative process. You can use a mood board maker to create differnt mood boards based on your project context.

Situation-Behavior-Impact (SBI)

The situation-behavior-impact model is a simple yet powerful tool for giving feedback. It encourages individuals to describe a specific situation, the observed behavior, and the resulting impact. This structure helps keep feedback objective and constructive.

Minto Pyramid

The Minto Pyramid is a framework for structuring communication logically. It starts with the main idea, followed by supporting arguments and evidence. This top-down approach helps ensure that messages are clear, concise, and well-supported, making it ideal for reports and presentations.

Systems Thinking Tools

Systems thinking tools allow you to understand and analyze how different parts of a system interact with one another. These tools are particularly useful for tackling complex problems with many interdependent factors.

Iceberg Model

The Iceberg Model helps visualize the underlying structures that drive events. It encourages looking beyond the surface to uncover patterns, structures, and mental models that contribute to problems, enabling deeper understanding and more effective solutions.

Connection Circles

Connection Circles help map out relationships between different elements in a system. By identifying cause-and-effect connections, they allow teams to visualize feedback loops and dependencies, making it easier to understand how changes in one area can impact the entire system.

Concept Map

A Concept Map is a graphical tool used to represent relationships between ideas. By linking concepts with arrows and descriptive labels, concept maps help individuals and teams see the big picture and identify gaps or connections that might not be immediately obvious.

Using thinking tools can greatly enhance your ability to solve problems, make decisions, and communicate effectively. By providing structured frameworks, these tools simplify complex processes and promote a more focused, efficient approach to work. Whether you’re refining a strategy, solving a complex problem, or simply looking to improve team communication, incorporating thinking tools into your workflow can make a significant difference.

Benefits of Using Thinking Tools

Incorporating thinking tools into your cognitive processes offers a plethora of advantages. Here are five key benefits that illustrate how these tools can enhance your thinking:

1 Enhanced Clarity and Focus

Thinking tools help to organize thoughts and streamline information, making complex concepts more understandable. By visualizing ideas through diagrams or mind maps, you can clarify your objectives, identify key points, and maintain focus on essential tasks. This structured approach reduces cognitive overload and allows for more effective problem-solving.

2 Improved Decision-Making

Utilizing thinking tools enables better analysis and evaluation of options. For instance, decision-making frameworks like the Eisenhower Matrix help prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance, facilitating clearer choices. By systematically assessing information and potential outcomes, you can make informed decisions that align with your goals.

3 Increased Creativity and Innovation

Thinking tools encourage divergent thinking, enabling you to explore multiple perspectives and generate new ideas. Tools like brainstorming sessions and mind mapping foster an open environment for creativity, allowing you to connect seemingly unrelated concepts. This innovative approach can lead to breakthrough ideas and solutions that may not have emerged through traditional thinking methods.

4 Effective Collaboration

In a team setting, thinking tools facilitate collaboration by providing a common language and framework for discussion. Tools like Creately enable real-time visual collaboration, allowing team members to contribute ideas and insights simultaneously. This collaborative environment enhances communication, ensures that all voices are heard, and ultimately leads to more robust outcomes.

5 Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills

Thinking tools equip you with strategies to tackle problems from various angles. By employing tools like the Ishikawa Diagram or First Principles thinking, you can identify root causes and develop targeted solutions. This systematic approach to problem-solving not only improves your ability to address current challenges but also strengthens your critical thinking skills for future scenarios.

Integrating Creately into Your Thinking Process

Creately is a powerful visual collaboration platform that enhances your ability to utilize thinking tools effectively. With its intuitive design, you can create diagrams, flowcharts, and mind maps that bring your ideas to life.

1 Visualizing Complex Ideas

Creately allows users to transform abstract concepts into clear visuals that anyone can understand. By using diagramming tools, you can break down complex ideas into digestible parts, making it easier for your audience to grasp your points.

2 Collaborative Visualizations

One of the standout features of Creately is its collaborative capabilities. You can share your visual representations with colleagues in real time, fostering a spirit of teamwork and collective problem-solving. Creately has whiteboarding features that allows teams to collaborate virtually. This collaborative aspect ensures everyone is on the same page and can contribute to the discussion.

3 Organizing Information Systematically

Creately helps you organize information systematically, making it easier to analyze and evaluate options. You can create visual maps that outline your thought processes, enabling you to see connections and relationships between different ideas.

Final Thoughts on Integrating Thinking Tools into Your Workflow

Thinking tools are indispensable for enhancing cognitive processes, improving decision-making, and fostering creativity. By understanding the different categories of thinking tools and integrating platforms like Creately into your workflow, you can unlock new levels of clarity and productivity in your thinking.

Whether you’re an individual looking to sharpen your skills or part of a team aiming for better collaboration, leveraging these tools can significantly impact your effectiveness. Embrace the power of thinking tools and watch your ability to solve problems and generate ideas soar!

Join over thousands of organizations that use Creately to brainstorm, plan, analyze, and execute their projects successfully.

FAQs About Thinking Tools

How can i incorporate thinking tools into my daily thinking routines, can thinking tools improve my team’s collaborative thinking.

Yes, thinking tools can significantly enhance your team’s collaborative thinking by providing structured frameworks that facilitate open communication and idea sharing. Tools like brainstorming sessions, mind mapping, and visual aids such as diagrams and flowcharts help team members organize their thoughts and express their ideas clearly.

By creating a shared visual space for brainstorming and problem-solving, these tools encourage inclusivity and ensure that all perspectives are considered. This structured approach not only fosters creativity but also leads to more informed decision-making and cohesive strategies.

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Yashodhara Keerthisena is a content writer at Creately, the online diagramming and collaboration tool. She enjoys reading and exploring new knowledge.