Critical Thinking? What It Is and Why It's Important ?

A 2014 study of 400 representatives showed that 91% of people accept that decisive reasoning is a significant piece of finding true success in the work environment. On the other side, does this imply that an absence of decisive reasoning can impede outcome in the work environment?

But don't worry, in today's article, you'll look at 15 ways to develop critical thinking!

A 2014 study of 400 representatives showed that 91% of people accept that decisive reasoning is a significant piece of finding true success in the work environment. On the other side, does this imply that an absence of decisive reasoning can impede outcome in the work environment?

But don't worry, in today's article, you'll look at 15 ways to develop critical thinking!

1. CALL ASSUMPTIONS INTO QUESTION

There is no rejecting that. Individuals expect countless things about their environmental factors. You accept things about your working environment, your connections, and above all, yourself.

Making assumptions reduces opportunities for innovation, but when you put those assumptions into question, they turn into an extensive critical thinking process, which often leads to innovative ideas!

Scrutinizing your presumptions assists you with fundamentally assessing all that you assume you know, and in itself is an extraordinary instrument for fostering your decisive reasoning.

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2. BE SELF-AWARE

When you become more self-aware, it simply means that you become more aware of your values, thought process, personality, and morals. But did you also know that when you become self-aware, you develop your critical thinking skills at the same time?

This is correct! As you objectively reflect on what defines you, your likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, goals and dreams, you are honing your critical thinking skills. This self-awareness will also help you realize the need to develop critical thinking skills.

3. ADOPT TedEd's Five-STEP PROCESS

In a 2016 video, TedEd framed five stages that can assist you with creating decisive reasoning and tackle various sorts of issues. The initial step is to comprehend and form your inquiry.

It essentially implies that you should comprehend the reason why you went with a specific choice, and the "why" behind your decisive reasoning!

At this point, it is equally important to understand the biases and facts surrounding this decision. Next, you have to collect your information. This is basically an extension of the first process, but much more intense.

At this point, based on your understanding of your question, you collect relevant information that may influence your decision. The next and most important step is submission. Here, you need to take action and apply everything you've discovered.

At this point, you need to start thinking critically by asking important questions:

What values ​​and concepts have you adopted now?

Does your idea here make sense?

Do you have any kind of assumptions in your mind?

Your answers to these questions will help you understand the meaning behind your decision, which can influence or enhance your conclusions. Moving forward, the fourth step involves understanding the implications of your decisions.

When making a decision, always try to consider the long and short term effects, as this will help you see things more clearly. Finally, you should explore other points of view before taking any action. Your point of view is simply one among many, so why stick with it?

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4. EVALUATE YOUR MENTAL PROCESS

Fun fact: the human brain works just like a computer! It collects and processes information, and can store this information for later use.

Now that you have a formula for how the mind works, doesn't this suggest that you can better understand the inner workings of our minds? Sure you can! You can study how your brain receives and processes information, how you react to certain situations

This understanding is a great way to become mentally efficient, and as you may have already guessed, mental efficiency is a necessary factor for critical thinking! Evaluating your mental process also gives you the ability to properly analyze situations before making important decisions.

1) A second of critical awareness equals a lifetime of blind work.

2) The criticism may be unpleasant, but it is necessary. It's like pain to the human body: it draws attention to what's wrong.

3) Wait for people to criticize your personality, but don't wait for someone to tell you who you are.

— Wolf Male

5. ASK QUESTIONS

At the point when you are not exceptionally certain about something, clarify pressing issues. At the point when you don't especially figure out something, get clarification on pressing issues. Posing inquiries is without a doubt one of the most mind-blowing ways of getting data.

It could be a person or even a search engine, but what matters is the fact that you made the effort to learn, which in itself is essential to critical thinking! However, it is not just about asking the questions, but what you do with the answer is just as important!

Do you swallow the answer without questioning any of it? Or do you accept the answer after you have verified every part of it? If you go with the second option, congratulations, you're on the path to developing your critical thinking skills!

6. LEARN HOW TO INVESTIGATE

In #5, we mentioned that you need to investigate the answers. Here, you'll see how to properly investigate all the information you find. The first step is to identify and evaluate all the evidence that is present.

Have you been exposed to this type of situation or challenge in the past? How did you react? What did the experience teach you? Then, you collect and analyze the data, and this is where you determine the facts of the situation, and what each fact means to you!

At long last, you make a move in view of the finishes of your examinations. Exploring circumstances, instead of following up without really thinking, brings down your possibilities settling on a terrible choice. All things considered, it levels up your decisive reasoning abilities, while additionally assisting you with settling on better choices.

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7. PATTERN RECOGNITION

Patterns are everywhere, you just have to be willing to see them! You can start by trying to notice the patterns around you; around your home, workplace, or even with friends. You can also identify patterns in your thought process!

Trying to spot patterns is a kind of brain exercise, and since you have to look beyond the obvious to see patterns, it's only natural that you develop your critical thinking abilities! So, the next time you feel the need to exercise your brain, focus your attention on something, and try to find interesting patterns. And remember, you don't always have to find patterns, the thought process is just as important!

8. BE A DREAMER

According to a 2009 study conducted at the University of British Columbia, the "executive network," which is the region of the brain associated with problem-solving, is also the region of the brain that lights up during daydreaming.

When you daydream, you create new, complex worlds, and interesting ideas. And usually, when you're daydreaming, it's an imaginary solution to a difficult problem that reality puts before you.

You're stuck in traffic, of course you've dreamed of having the ability to fly, or being the fastest person alive! To constantly activate your brain's executive network that improves critical thinking, the study suggests daydreaming as often as you can. So go ahead and think about the unicorn, and then think of ways to justify the existence of this unicorn in our world.

9. FEED YOUR MIND

The human mind, just like the body in which it lives, needs food. To stay mindful, it is important that we develop our imaginative abilities. But how do we do that?

For starters, reading stretches the boundaries of reason, and it kind of forces you to be creative. Have you ever read a fantasy book without a picture in your head?

This is your imagination at work! Meditation is another great way to feed your mind! This incredibly powerful and ancient practice is a fun way to clear your mind, and help you manage anxiety and stress. If your mind is constantly unavailable, it's really hard to think about work.

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10. BE OPEN TO OTHER POINTS OF VIEW

Earlier in this article, exploration of other perspectives was mentioned, how about we take a closer look at that? Most of the time, arguments happen because you are not willing to accept the person's point of view.

Sometimes, you also suffer from inner conflict simply because you refuse to think of more than one point of view! Now, if you stick to only one point of view, you are depriving yourself of the opportunity to explore the situation from another angle!

but that is not all. You also turn down an opportunity to learn more about the situation or challenge.

However, when you accept and analyze diverse points of view, you are embarking on a journey of critical thinking that puts these points side by side, and helps you see the pros and cons of each. Therefore, by being open to diverse viewpoints, you are simultaneously improving your critical thinking skills.

11. LEARN TO FORM YOUR OWN OPINIONS

Critical thinking teaches you how to think for yourself. Critical thinking aims to help you form your own opinions, based on the information you have been able to gather.

To form your own opinion, ask about your biases and assumptions - constantly feed your mind - think deeply and objectively about your values, strengths and weaknesses - and write down the important things, as this will help you express your thoughts properly.

12. DEFINE THE PROBLEM

You can list the benefits of critical thinking, and one of the primary functions of critical thinking is problem solving. But before you can solve any problem, you must take the time to properly identify the problem.

Defining a problem is not just about knowing exactly what problem you need to solve, it is also about looking at the problem from a variety of perspectives and asking important questions.

You can ask yourself questions like:

What is the cause of this problem?

Why is it happening at this time?

Am I making assumptions?

What are the different ways I can solve this problem?

By answering these questions, you should have a better understanding of this problem, and also how you can build an ideal solution for it.

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13. LEARN TO ACCEPT CRITICISM

Some would argue that criticism is bad, and oddly enough, they would have some points that might sound compelling. They could argue that criticism is an attack on your creative effort, and tends to discourage a person.

But you know, criticism isn't a bad thing! In fact, accepting criticism is a quick way to improve at what you do! Instead of seeing constructive criticism as an attack on your work or personality, learn to see it as an opportunity to identify holes in your work. If Critic finds a loophole or bug, will this bug happen again? of course not! But accepting criticism isn't all there is to it; It is also important to think about and understand the facts of criticism, and this can only be achieved through critical thinking.

Now, it's safe to say that constructive criticism is a learning opportunity, right?

14. CONTINUOUS SELF-EVALUATION

Self-evaluation, a tried and trusted way to find out if you are biased in forming your opinions or when making your decisions. Self-evaluation is the process of booking yourself for investigation. This helps you define your thought process, current values, and most importantly it assesses your strengths, as well as areas where you need to make improvements.

The self-assessment process requires a heavy dose of critical thinking and consistency, but at the end of it, you'll be glad you did it!

15. TRY CREATIVE WRITING

There is a fine line between creative writing and critical thinking! And if you are very passionate about developing your critical thinking, then creative writing is another thing you must try! We know what you'll think. "I'm not good at writing stories or poems."

Well, that's kind of the point we're going to make. You don't have to be a talented creative writer, you just have to write!

This is because creative writing develops your creative thinking, and yes, it is a great exercise for sharpening your critical thinking! So, the next time you need to sharpen your mind, try your hand at creative writing.

Who knows? You might be the next Nobel Prize winner for literature!

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