...Barriers to Critical Thinking Melinda Jones HUM/115 October 11, 2014 Donna Probst Barriers to Critical Thinking Please refer to Chapters 2 & 3 of Critical Thinking in Everyday Life for this assignment. ________________________________________ • Barrier 1: In at least 100 words, describe (1) the first barrier you chose and (2) how you plan to overcome that barrier. Refer to Chapter 3 of Critical Thinking in Everyday Life for strategies for modification of internal barriers & replacement of external barriers. The first barrier that I chose is one of the internal barriers – emotions. Emotions play a huge role in my thinking. For example, I get frustrated very easily when it comes to decision making, mostly because I am naturally an indecisive person. I am also impatient, so when faced with a tough decision that requires a lot of thinking, I get mad. It takes a lot of thinking – critical thinking – on my end to make the best decision. I also suffer from documented anxiety, so I always feel like the pressure is on. Being 28 and suffering from anxiety, I honestly have no idea how to overcome these internal barriers, so I will strive to learn all that I can in this critical thinking course, so that one day I will be able to not let my personal emotions get in the way. • Barrier 2: In at least 100 words, describe (1) the second barrier you chose and (2) how you plan to overcome that barrier. Refer to Chapter 3 of Critical Thinking in Everyday Life for strategies...
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...Critical Thinking Reflection Practicing critical thinking is essential in everyday life, for a myriad of reasons. For instance, it is imperative when solving problems because, without doing so, rational, sound decisions cannot occur. Instead, internal and external barriers prevent us from systematically working through the five steps to problem-solving. That stated, defining critical thinking adequately is substantial to understanding how to apply it seamlessly in daily situations. Dr. Ridel (2015), defines critical thinking as follows: “Critical thinking is a continuous process of evaluating information, formulating opinions based on facts,...
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...Critical Thinking Reflection Leah Kuester HUM/115 Sept 14, 2015 Cathie Alder Critical Thinking Reflection Our daily lives are filled with decisions, opinions, lessons and experiences. Happiness is something I believe we all wish to feel on a daily basis but do we always make the right choices that will lead us to this? Are we making decisions based on emotion or are we taking the time to weigh out our options, think critically and make the right choice based on fact? We can all benefit from thinking critically in our everyday lives as it is a tool to find clarity, independence and a way to truly have control of your own path in life. Barriers to Critical Thinking There is no question that when you want to change the way you think, it is going to take some practice. We are used to being a certain way and whether we want to change or not, our thoughts and actions are simply controlled by emotion at times. In order to think critically you have to learn to overcome such barriers and change the way you approach a situation. Dr. Ridel says, “Our ability to think critically isn’t certain- it’s under constant siege by forces that would rather us not.” (Ridel, 2015) In other words, it isn’t easy to think critically in a world full of barriers to doing so. He mentions that the two types of barriers are internal and external barriers. (Ridel, 2015) External referring to family, friends, teachers and the media. All figures in our lives that have a mass influence on our thoughts...
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...Critical Thinking Reflection Richie Galinato HUM 115 June 5, 2015 Marcus Anderson Critical Thinking Reflection Critical thinking is a process of multiple steps consisting of evaluating information, coming up with opinions or conclusions derived from a series of facts, and applying what was learned to solve a problem or to make a decision (Ridel, 2015). I have never thought about critical thinking but I have used it every day of my life multiple times a day and so does everyone else around me. Critical thinking is a powerful tool that I must continue to learn how sharpen and utilize. I had the misconception that critical thinking is only contemplating about a subject and figuring out an outcome, but it is much more than that. I learned that there is an actual eight step model to critical thinking. Understanding each step has allowed me refine my own critical thinking process and to find out where I was weak in certain areas. After learning about the process I have already put it to you use by critically thinking about how to pass current and future classes while also achieving a good grade in the class. Applying each step has helped me outline and implement a plan to success and has made my academic life a lot easier. Another very important subject I learned is to question everything I read or hear and to find out if the source is credible or not. With information at our fingertips through internet articles, videos and even social media, believing everything that we...
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...Critical Thinking Reflection Nicole Morris HUM/115 05/11/2015 Denise Whitter Critical Thinking Reflection While reading Critical Thinking in Everyday life (R. Ridel, 2015), I have learned a great deal about myself. While I was proud to learn I was an intermediate level thinker, I had a lot of growing to do. I came to the realization of how I’ve allowed barriers to control my way of thinking. I also learned why I’m not as advanced & how I can take my critical thinking and decision-making skills to the next level. Internal Barriers Introducing the puppeteer theory was the most “eye opening” lesson I’ve yet to experience, I had no clue how I’ve allowed barriers such broad influences on my overall decision-making abilities. I’ve learned the lesson of why it is vital not to allow your emotions control over outcomes in situations within and out of your control. Being emotionally charged can gravely hinder my critical thinking. I’ve learned that emotion over reason equals bad outcomes however; reason over emotions equals good outcomes (R. Ridel, 2015) and I keep this in mind daily while making choices. Message and Messenger When determining a credible and reliable source, I found it very meaningful to ask the question, no matter the topic, “who benefits?” and I now use this daily with sources. Asking myself this questions challenges me to research further, to where I can discover biases and unfactual opinion. If I’m confident in my sources...
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... Critical thinking is a reflection for everyone in this day and time. It is something that needs and has to be done on a daily basis. This is something that does not come natural. This is a learning process for each and every one of age. This is something we learn over the years with age. To me it is part of maturity little do we know it. It begins to come naturally as we get older. Some get it early and some do not. This course has taught me a lot in these past five weeks. I was taught how to solve problems, the difference between internal and external barriers, and how to determine my creditable resources. Solving problems is not as easy as people make it seems. We really have to use our critically thinking skills to make wise choices. We really need to think every bit of information through. Making wise decisions will help with problem solving. It is a five step model that Ridel explain and is very helpful in situations. “The five steps model is to identify the problem, discover the causes of the problem, create options to solve the problem, evaluate the best options to solve the problem, and act, monitor, and modify selected options” (Ridel, 2015). If we all follow these steps it would make our lives much easier. I did not realize how external and internal barriers can play a role in our everyday lives when it comes to thinking critically. I knew that some family can be an influence as well as social media. These things can put a pause on everyday activities...
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...External Barrier: Friends The external barrier that influenced my critical thinking skill is friends. Friends are considered to be one of the shaping agents in my life. They have become a factor of how I think based on times when making a decision or solving a problem in life. When I rationally think from past experiences, I’ve realized that my friends have the tendency to give their opinions and suggestions to hinder the way I handle certain situations. For example, the decision of whom I choose to date. Friends share bad or good stories of what they hear about this man, and I question if I should date him or not base on information given to me. It’s important the need to teach friends about thinking critically to overcome barriers. To help promote others to be critical thinkers, the need to participate critical thinking conversation helps sharpen critical thinking skills. For instance, when around friends, the conversation will be replaced with critical thinking activity such as puzzle-like games or talking points of debates. In addition, one way to overcome the external barrier of friends is to surround with new friends or mentors who are advanced critical thinkers (Ridel, 2015, pg. 54). Internal Barrier: Emotions The internal barrier that hinders my critical thinking skill is emotion. Ridel (2015) defines emotions to barriers of critical thinking as the act to “promote people ‘s impulsive actions that yield unwelcomed and counterproductive results (pg. 62).” It’s...
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...Critical Thinking Application Paper Critical thinking is method that helps people guide their behaviors and improve the quality of thinking. Many terminologies can define such complex yet logical process, creating unique characteristics, and meanings. According to Michael and Richard (summer 1987), Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, and evaluating information gathered from experience, observation, reasoning, reflection, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. Such process becomes accustom to everyday life and applies itself in every decision one makes. The process of critical thinking helps people benefits and take advances to improve not only mentally but also logically, when people apply these circumstances in an everyday lives. Looking into the basic characteristics of critical thinking, one cannot overlook its importance and what it brings to everyday activity. Functioning, evaluating, creating or even thinking has become a second nature to us. According to Paul and Elder (2001), critical thinking is that mode of thinking, which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully taking charge of the structures inherent in thinking and imposing intellectual standards upon them. Observing the importance of our logical steps naturally occurs in our minds core process. Keeping our mind constantly advancing separates humans from all other living...
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...Barriers to Critical Thinking Elissa Nava HUM/115 10/5/2015 Anthony De Vito Barriers to Critical Thinking I have recently been learning about Barriers that hinder Critical Thinking Skills. I believe that it is important to learn what might be impeding my ability to think critically if my goal is to improve those abilities. Two barriers that are keeping me from effective thinking critically are family and emotions. My family have been critical thinking barriers in my life. I grew up in with a very conservative family that went to church several times a week. As a matter of fact, my father was the music pastor in church. I even went to school at the church. People did not seem to ask many questions about the lessons we learned in church. My entire family would nod in agreement with the Pastor. We would go home and discuss what we learned in the service. The messages became common knowledge to me because I was fed them throughout the week. We were taught that questions the Word of God was wrong, that doubt was wrong. It was not until I grew older and lived on my own that I began to questions some of the things I was taught. It is important for me now to research on my own whatever I hear at church and not just accept it as truth because the pastor said it. I still ask my parents and family members for the opinion on issues and messages I her at church, but I couple that with my own reasoning and research. My emotions are definitely critical thinking...
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...Critical Thinking Reflection HUM/114 October 12, 2015 Brandi Rowley Critical Thinking Reflection The three lessons that I have learned from this course are, the Eight Steps Process to Becoming a Better Critical Thinker, Barriers to Critical Thinking, and the Five-Step Model of Problem Solving. The Eight-Step Process to Becoming a Better Critical Thinker The Eight Step process to becoming a better critical thinker is important, before this class, I really did not think that there was a process to something that I already knew/did. When working on the process of becoming a better critical thinker, it should be a good idea, to carry around a notepad. This way you can research. The first step is to recognize the need to improve your critical thinking. The second step is recognizing what barriers prevent me from developing the critical thinking skills. The third step, is trying to find out how I can modify or replace them. The fourth step is determining the reliability of the source. Fifth step is to determine the credibility of the source. Sixth step understands the steps for problem solving. The seventh reason is applying problem solving skills to your everyday life. The eight step, should lead you towards becoming a better critical thinker. Barriers to critical thinking The second lesson that I learned in this course, is the barriers there are against Critical Thinkers. Learning about what can prevent me from becoming a critical thinking...
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...Critical Thinking William Higginbottom HUM/115 June 1, 2015 Heather Karberg Critical Thinking What is critical thinking? My favorite definition of critical thinking is, “the active and reflective mental process of questioning and evaluating information to draw sound conclusions” (Critical Thinking: It's How - Not What You Think, 2013). There are three categories of critical thinking. There’s beginning, average, and advanced critical thinkers. Beginner critical thinkers tend be lazy thinkers, they are not interested in changing or challenging the way they currently think, and are comfortable with not challenging the sources of their information, of those being, the people closets to them. Average critical thinkers are aware that there are biases that affect information and they are open to challenging their beliefs and thoughts. Average critical thinkers are sometimes aware that their efforts at questioning and evaluating information, are what inhibits them from being advanced critical thinkers. It’s the average critical thinker’s inconsistent efforts that prevent them from consistently drawing sound conclusions. Advanced critical thinkers are constantly aware of the biases in information and use this information to draw more sound conclusions. Advanced critical thinkers question the source and validity of all information and attempt to purge their own biases to increase their ability to make better decisions. I would say that based on the levels of critical...
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...Critical thinking helps thinkers to act instead of reacting. Reacting results in hasty decisions that are not always well thought-out. Quick decisions can lead to error or cause more problems. By evaluating decisions a thinker is learning what works and what does not work. Critical thinking can be affected by barriers: internal and external. Family, an external barrier, helped me in a positive way to develop my critical thinking skills. According to Critical Thinking in Everyday Life, family emphasize the benefits of evaluating the reliability of information and questioning the credibility of the people who deliver it. This is true because during our informative years it is family who teaches right from wrong and encourages you to ask questions, feeding your curiosity. The way that I deal with family as being a barrier is I play the never ending question game with them. This allows me to explore different options and avenues instead of accepting what I’m being told, especially by my parents and grandparents. There are so many emotions that we have as individuals that negatively or positively influence our critical thinking. Letting emotions take the place of critical thinking and evidence that could convince others can undermine an argument (Cottrell, 2005, p.11). For instance, your opinion about the death penalty may strongly differ from someone who supports it, you might let your feelings about the issue cloud your judgment about any information/evidence that may support...
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...Barriers to Critical Thinking Avery Schwaderer HUM/115 March 7, 2016 Patricia Prince Barriers to Critical Thinking Critical thinking is the process in which an individual carefully thinks using reason, logic, and examination to identify their understanding. Many people are unreflective of their thinking and base their biases off of the culture they have lived in such as their family, friends, and media. We all have biases that are difficult to control because they are so imbedded into our way of thinking. These are what Kirby and Goodpaster label as “barriers.” As much as I would like to think critically about every subject I unfortunately I fall short in several issues like many other people do due to barriers that have formed throughout my life. One barrier I have keeping me from thinking critically is I tend to think in black and white. This is especially apparent to me right now during the presidential election. I like many others have a favorite candidate and believe that this one person is the only person good enough to do the job. That thinking is incorrect though. Many of the candidates have different qualities about them that would be suiting for the office of president. There is proof that one candidate is not right for everybody by looking at the different percentages of votes in different areas of the country. Depending on where you live, how you were raised, your occupation, and your lifestyle you are going to tend to prefer one over another because of...
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...Barriers to Critical Thinking HUM/115 One external barrier that was evident in my home was the lack was the inability to even think I could ask my father a question. My father was the adult there for it was what he said and that was it. This was crippling for me, I did not get to grow up and be that child that asked so many questions and receive answers. What I did to cope with this void and barrier in my life was dive into gaming, though it was a temporary get away from reality; it was just what I needed, so I thought. Gaming bought me deeper into a place of emotional instability. To deal with and confront this barrier I used the “Self-Directed Replacement” (Ridel, 2015) method. As time went on in life I met new people who would begin to challenge my way of thinking. I met a man who gave me advice and shared wisdom with me on how to raise my children. I have a pastor who is finishing up his masters in family counseling (children, teens, marriages, young adults). These are the men who I have chosen to look at as role models and even impart some wisdom. My father, today, speaks to me more now than ever before. I love him, he took care of my three other brothers when my mom decided to walk out on us. One internal barrier was my emotions. It was easier for me to fill a void with gaming then begin to peel back the layers of my life and hurt. Gaming became my crutch and comfort; I allowed it to keep me in a state of quick fix. I was never really willing to critically think...
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...Critical Thinking Reflection Critical Thinking in Everyday Life BY TaNesha Green 9/7/15 I have learned a lot about Critical Thinking, I believe that I am now Advanced Critical Thinker. This is the stage when you go above and beyond with your thinking process. It involves more than just Memory and Recall. Advanced thinking requires the learner to use knowledge in some meaningful way--to link learning to prior knowledge, to make comparisons and contrasts, to apply ideas to novel situations, to create some new ways of combining ideas, and to evaluate options. I have also learned about the Eight-Step Model of Critical Thinking Steps. Recognize the need to improve your Critical Thinking Skills. Use wasted time, everyone waste time the step is basically telling you that the little time you waste you can be doing something productive. What barriers inhibit me from developing my critical thinking skills? Unwarranted assumptions and stereotypes, an assumption is something we take for granted, something we believe to be true without any proof or conclusive evidence. Almost everything we think and do is based on assumptions. The assumptions may or may not be correct, but without evidence they are really only guesses. How Can I modify or replace them? I can stop assuming and do better research to get the correct answer instead of having an opinion I will have a fact. Critical thinking becomes the essence and defining of your existence. Basically, once knowledge is learned don’t...
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