Definition
of Critical Thinking
A rational and self-regulated
process of evaluating the validity or value of a claim or belief. This
process involves three activities:
- gathering appropriate information,evaluating alternative answers
with respect to this information,
- provisionally choosing the
answer best supported by the information.
Characteristics
of Critical Thinkers
A. Critical thinkers conceptualize
the broad outline of a question to be addressed.
1. They seek and compare
various points of view dealing with the question.2. They recognize analogous
situations and transfer insights to the question. 3. They raise and clarify
fundamental issues related to the question.4. They generate, as possibilities
to investigate, alternative answers to the question,
5. They recognize similarities
and differences among the alternative answers.
B. Critical thinkers gather
information appropriate to evaluating alternative answers.
1. They develop a workable
approach to gathering information needed to answer the question.2. They identify reliable
sources of information.3. They take account of possible
biases in the information that they collect. 4. They distinguish relevant
from irrelevant information.
5. They distinguish significant
from insignificant information.
C. In using this information
to evaluate alternative answers, critical thinkers identify assumptions
and personal biases.
1. They search for and evaluate
unstated assumptions inherent in the question and its alternative answers.2. They strive to identify
their own personal biases and to control for them.
3. They consistently adopt
an attitude of skepticism as they attempt to answer questions.
D. In using this information
to evaluate alternative answers, critical thinkers use rational processes
of thought.
1. They distinguish among
fact, opinion, inference, interpretation, and judgement in the information.2. They make inferences from
the information that are based on rules of logic.3. They recognize when the
information contradicts a proposed answer.4. They explore the implications
and possible consequences of alternative answers.
5. They can present a coherent
summary of their thinking at any point during their evaluation of alternative
answers.
E. Based on their evaluation
of alternative answers, critical thinkers make a tentative choice from
among them.
1. They can communicate their
reasons for making the choice in a manner that allows others to examine
the reasons.2. They realize that their
choice is tentative, and they are open to reexamining the question if
new information arises that contradicts their choice.
3. They continue to collect
more information about the area related to the question in order to
see if it leads them to question their choice.
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