Critical Critical ThinkingThinkingHow you can remove yourself How you can remove yourself

from predictable, routine, from predictable, routine, repetitive, reactionary thought repetitive, reactionary thought

patterns and take charge of patterns and take charge of your mind.your mind.

Characteristics of Characteristics of Everyday ThinkingEveryday Thinking

We like predictabilityWe like predictabilityOur world is plagued with uncertaintyOur world is plagued with uncertaintyA common human shortcoming is the blind acceptance of what another tells usA common human shortcoming is the blind acceptance of what another tells us

Characteristics of thinking that play Characteristics of thinking that play important roles in our livesimportant roles in our livesDreaming, analyzing, reflecting, judging, memorizing, concentrating, forgetting, and Dreaming, analyzing, reflecting, judging, memorizing, concentrating, forgetting, and reasoningreasoning

To live a more effective life, you must To live a more effective life, you must become more aware of the advantages and become more aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the way you’re thinking disadvantages of the way you’re thinking now.now.

How Are You How Are You Thinking?Thinking?

Are you on automatic Are you on automatic pilot?pilot?Is your thinking Is your thinking mindless and mindless and routine?routine?Is everything black-Is everything black-&-white and &-white and absolute?absolute?Do you look for what Do you look for what is the “right” point is the “right” point of view and “correct” of view and “correct” or “incorrect” ways or “incorrect” ways to think?to think?

Do you take the time Do you take the time to look for explana-to look for explana-tions, tions, interpretations, and interpretations, and conclusions about conclusions about issues?issues?Do you evaluate Do you evaluate many different points many different points of view selecting the of view selecting the best of them?best of them?Do you develop Do you develop multiple viewpoints multiple viewpoints on issues?on issues?

Thinking on Thinking on Automatic PilotAutomatic Pilot

Many of our daily activities are like computer Many of our daily activities are like computer programsprogramsThey silently operate in the background controlling and They silently operate in the background controlling and directing much of our thinking and behaviordirecting much of our thinking and behaviorWe develop routine and repetitive thinking habits that We develop routine and repetitive thinking habits that are largely outside of conscious controlare largely outside of conscious control

Automatic Mental Control ProcessesAutomatic Mental Control ProcessesThese are daily activities that occur without much These are daily activities that occur without much thought or awarenessthought or awareness

Automatic PilotsAutomatic PilotsCoordinated mental programs of which we’re largely Coordinated mental programs of which we’re largely unawareunaware

Why do errors occur Why do errors occur when we’re on automatic when we’re on automatic

pilot?pilot? Being tired, fatigued, rushed for Being tired, fatigued, rushed for

time, or distracted causes errorstime, or distracted causes errors The most common errors:The most common errors:

Selection errorsSelection errors: What is needed is selected, but it is : What is needed is selected, but it is not what is correctnot what is correct

Execution errorsExecution errors: What is executed is not completed: What is executed is not completed

Interference errorsInterference errors: A stronger mental process : A stronger mental process interferes with the execution of a relatively weaker interferes with the execution of a relatively weaker oneone

Blending errorsBlending errors: Two or more automatic pilots are : Two or more automatic pilots are triggered and blendedtriggered and blended

How can mental errors be How can mental errors be managed?managed?

Be extra vigilant, monitoring your Be extra vigilant, monitoring your actions in situations where you actions in situations where you acted automatically in the pastacted automatically in the past

Miscues produce certain side Miscues produce certain side effects. Use these side effects to effects. Use these side effects to guide and direct future actionsguide and direct future actions

Set up cues to break out of habitual Set up cues to break out of habitual thinking patternsthinking patterns

Mindless ThinkingMindless Thinking The tendency to process information without The tendency to process information without

attention to details in a rather routine and attention to details in a rather routine and predictable mannerpredictable manner

Characteristics of Mindless ThinkingCharacteristics of Mindless ThinkingBecoming trapped in categoriesBecoming trapped in categories

The characteristics of a category are assumed to apply across the The characteristics of a category are assumed to apply across the board: stereotypingboard: stereotypingBlindly following requestsBlindly following requests

The questions of “Why am I doing this?” or “What other options for The questions of “Why am I doing this?” or “What other options for thinking and behaving do I have?” are not askedthinking and behaving do I have?” are not askedActing from a single perspective or mindsetActing from a single perspective or mindset

Acting as if one set of rules applies to every situationActing as if one set of rules applies to every situationFailing to consider alternative perspectives on issuesFailing to consider alternative perspectives on issues

““I’m right and my point of view is the correct one,” there is no compromiseI’m right and my point of view is the correct one,” there is no compromise

Consequences of Consequences of Mindless ThinkingMindless ThinkingMindless Thinking Creates Four Mindless Thinking Creates Four

Consequences:Consequences: A narrow self-imageA narrow self-image

A narrow self-image produces a limited definition of A narrow self-image produces a limited definition of your your self and restricts your experience of lifeself and restricts your experience of life

It adversely affects your relationshipsIt adversely affects your relationshipsThe response to the behaviors of others will be The response to the behaviors of others will be

automatic, automatic, predictable, and inappropriate for the situationpredictable, and inappropriate for the situation It produces learned helplessnessIt produces learned helplessness

A series of failures can produce a mindset of having no A series of failures can produce a mindset of having no choice and a generalization is made that “I am a choice and a generalization is made that “I am a

failure”failure” You become easily influenced by othersYou become easily influenced by others

The responsibility for the choices in your life are The responsibility for the choices in your life are turned turned over to over to another another

Three Ways to Defeat Three Ways to Defeat MindlessnessMindlessness

Recognize the signs of mindless behavior, and Recognize the signs of mindless behavior, and take action to prevent it’s recurrencetake action to prevent it’s recurrenceMindlessness is defeated when you developMindlessness is defeated when you develop MindfulnessMindfulness: becoming aware of the conditions : becoming aware of the conditions where mindless thinking prevailswhere mindless thinking prevails

Actively resist attempts by others to tell you Actively resist attempts by others to tell you how to think and behavehow to think and behaveAllowing others to tell you how to think and behave removes responsibility from your life and Allowing others to tell you how to think and behave removes responsibility from your life and also makes you a robot allowing others to program you to do what they wantalso makes you a robot allowing others to program you to do what they want

Search for ways to make decisions and gain Search for ways to make decisions and gain control over your lifecontrol over your lifeLife begins to have meaning whenever you work to regain a sense of mastery and control Life begins to have meaning whenever you work to regain a sense of mastery and control over yourselfover yourself

Absolute & Extreme Ways Absolute & Extreme Ways of Thinkingof Thinking

Irrational BeliefsIrrational BeliefsExtremist ways of thinking that are absolutistic Extremist ways of thinking that are absolutistic

demands on yourself, others, or the worlddemands on yourself, others, or the world Recognizing irrational beliefsRecognizing irrational beliefs

Pay attention to absolutist language: Pay attention to absolutist language: must, should, would, have to, need to, ought must, should, would, have to, need to, ought to; every, always, never, nothing, certain, totally, essential, only, absolutely, to; every, always, never, nothing, certain, totally, essential, only, absolutely, positively; awful, terrible, horrible; can’t, impossiblepositively; awful, terrible, horrible; can’t, impossible

Irrational beliefs tend to dominate how youIrrational beliefs tend to dominate how you

think about yourself, others, and the worldthink about yourself, others, and the worldThey help to distort your perceptions, keep you stressed-out, and prevent you from They help to distort your perceptions, keep you stressed-out, and prevent you from taking constructive actions in your lifetaking constructive actions in your life

Managing Absolutistic & Managing Absolutistic & Extreme Ways of Extreme Ways of

ThinkingThinkingExamine the objective factsExamine the objective facts

Look at all sides of an argument or situation --- including your Look at all sides of an argument or situation --- including your part in itpart in it

Interpret events in a balanced Interpret events in a balanced mannermannerAccept the fact that yours is not the only way of perceiving and Accept the fact that yours is not the only way of perceiving and interpreting a situation and try to see it from others’ interpreting a situation and try to see it from others’ perspective(s)perspective(s)

Develop plans to overcome the Develop plans to overcome the problem and reduce negative problem and reduce negative emotionsemotionsMental change must be backed up with behavioral changeMental change must be backed up with behavioral change

Patterns of How People Patterns of How People ThinkThink

Dualism/Received KnowledgeDualism/Received KnowledgeBelieving that information is either correct or incorrect, right or wrong, Believing that information is either correct or incorrect, right or wrong, and there are fixed ways of looking at the world. This leads to difficulty in and there are fixed ways of looking at the world. This leads to difficulty in independent thinking.independent thinking.

Multiplism/Subjective KnowledgeMultiplism/Subjective KnowledgeUncertainties, doubts, and unknowns do exist and these, in turn, Uncertainties, doubts, and unknowns do exist and these, in turn, naturally. This leads to considering multiple and alternate points of view. naturally. This leads to considering multiple and alternate points of view.

Relativism/Prodedural KnowledgeRelativism/Prodedural KnowledgeRecognition that points of view differ in quality and that good ones are Recognition that points of view differ in quality and that good ones are supported by evidence, facts, and other criteria. This leads to supported by evidence, facts, and other criteria. This leads to independent thinking and analyzing information as well as drawing independent thinking and analyzing information as well as drawing appropriate conclusions.appropriate conclusions.

Thinking Thinking CriticallyCriticallyPurposeful, reasoned, evaluative, constructive thinking that takes in all sides of an issue in Purposeful, reasoned, evaluative, constructive thinking that takes in all sides of an issue in

order to understand it as fully as possibleorder to understand it as fully as possible

Three Characteristics of Critical ThinkingThree Characteristics of Critical Thinking There is a purpose to Critical ThinkingThere is a purpose to Critical Thinking

It involves deliberate, conscious goal-directed thought and reflectionIt involves deliberate, conscious goal-directed thought and reflection

Critical Thinking is reasonedCritical Thinking is reasonedIt emphasizes your ability to examine all of the information relevant It emphasizes your ability to examine all of the information relevant to an issue and come to an accurate conclusionto an issue and come to an accurate conclusion

Critical Thinking constructively evaluates more than Critical Thinking constructively evaluates more than one side of an issue as well as its positive and one side of an issue as well as its positive and negative attributesnegative attributesIt goes beyond “black-&-white” thinking and looks for facts, It goes beyond “black-&-white” thinking and looks for facts, evidence, and proofevidence, and proof

Principles of Principles of Critical ThinkingCritical ThinkingKnowledge is acquired through thinking, reasoning, and Knowledge is acquired through thinking, reasoning, and questioning, and knowledge is based on factsquestioning, and knowledge is based on factsBelief is not knowledge. Beliefs are Belief is not knowledge. Beliefs are opinionsopinions acted upon acted upon as ifas if they they were facts.were facts.

Opinions are not based on facts, knowledge, or reasoning.Opinions are not based on facts, knowledge, or reasoning.

Critical thinking is an Critical thinking is an activeactive process based on applying direct process based on applying direct analytic, synthetic, and assessment skills to the information being analytic, synthetic, and assessment skills to the information being received.received.

It is only from learning It is only from learning howhow to think that you learn to think that you learn whatwhat to to thinkthinkThe unquestioning acceptance of what another says as fact is not The unquestioning acceptance of what another says as fact is not learning nor is it part of the skill of critical thinking. It inhibits any learning nor is it part of the skill of critical thinking. It inhibits any learning from taking place.learning from taking place.

Learning Learning howhow to think does not involve rote memorization. to think does not involve rote memorization.

To become educated, you need to learn how to gather, analyze, To become educated, you need to learn how to gather, analyze, synthesize, assess, and apply data for yourself.synthesize, assess, and apply data for yourself.

Principles of Principles of Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking

Critical thinking is an organized and systematic process Critical thinking is an organized and systematic process used to judge the effectiveness of an argumentused to judge the effectiveness of an argumentIt is void of emotional constrictions and is, consequently, It is void of emotional constrictions and is, consequently, unbiased.unbiased.

In order to be most effective, the critical thinker must have In order to be most effective, the critical thinker must have data and facts available to him/her for a rebuttal of the data and facts available to him/her for a rebuttal of the argument.argument.

Critical thinking is based on empirical evidence.Critical thinking is based on empirical evidence.

Critical thinking is a search for meaningCritical thinking is a search for meaningThe meaning is for yourself in what the author or speaker says, The meaning is for yourself in what the author or speaker says, implies, and insinuates.implies, and insinuates.

It’s a way of making sense out of what you’re reading or It’s a way of making sense out of what you’re reading or hearing in order to find the validity of the data being hearing in order to find the validity of the data being presented.presented.

Principles of Principles of Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking

Critical thinking is a skill that can be learnedCritical thinking is a skill that can be learnedIt’s based on It’s based on activeactive, , logical reasoninglogical reasoning, on , on facts and evidencefacts and evidence, and , and a a desire to learndesire to learn..Your attitude toward learning is all important in being a critical Your attitude toward learning is all important in being a critical thinker. It is important that a high value be placed on learning in thinker. It is important that a high value be placed on learning in order for learning to be useful.order for learning to be useful.The skill of a critical thinker is learned by doing and by an The skill of a critical thinker is learned by doing and by an interchange of information and ideas with others who are interchange of information and ideas with others who are assessing the same things. Hearing and assessing opposing assessing the same things. Hearing and assessing opposing points of view are necessary for a decision to be well-founded. In points of view are necessary for a decision to be well-founded. In this way, your ideas and arguments can be presented and this way, your ideas and arguments can be presented and evaluated.evaluated.You must be actively involved in exchanging thoughts and ideas You must be actively involved in exchanging thoughts and ideas in order to become a critical thinker. Sitting passively by isn’t in order to become a critical thinker. Sitting passively by isn’t how any skill is learnedhow any skill is learned

A critical thinker needs to be a good listener, researcher, and A critical thinker needs to be a good listener, researcher, and questioner.questioner.

Developing & Developing & Evaluating Evaluating

Explanations About Explanations About BehaviorBehavior Understand Important Understand Important

TerminologyTerminologyTerms, concepts, & principles Terms, concepts, & principles must be understood & correctly must be understood & correctly used, & their underlying used, & their underlying structure must be explored.structure must be explored.

Recognize Underlying Recognize Underlying AssumptionsAssumptionsIdentify the assumptions Identify the assumptions underlying explanations of underlying explanations of behavior, challenging old behavior, challenging old assumptions & developing new assumptions & developing new ways of thinking.ways of thinking.

Use Questions to get Use Questions to get Relevant InformationRelevant InformationUse questions to guide & direct Use questions to guide & direct your search for information your search for information asking questions in the form of asking questions in the form of educated guesseseducated guesses..

Pay Close Attention to the Pay Close Attention to the Evidence an Explanation Evidence an Explanation is Based Uponis Based UponKnow the difference between Know the difference between an observation and an an observation and an inference.inference.Include personal qualities & Include personal qualities & situational factors in your situational factors in your explanations.explanations.

Explanations Explanations mustmust fit the fit the Underlying EvidenceUnderlying EvidenceSufficient grounds for your Sufficient grounds for your explanation should exist.explanation should exist.Make sure that your Make sure that your explanations aren’t too far explanations aren’t too far removed from the underlying removed from the underlying evidence.evidence.

Managing Attribution Managing Attribution ErrorsErrors

Attribution: Making judgments about the Attribution: Making judgments about the causes of behaviorcauses of behavior

Attribution errors distort interpretations Attribution errors distort interpretations of your own and others’ actionsof your own and others’ actionsWe explain behavior through internal We explain behavior through internal ((personalpersonal) or ) or external (external (situationalsituational) factors.) factors.

We tend to explain others’ behavior as being We tend to explain others’ behavior as being internallyinternally motivated, while our own behavior is motivated, while our own behavior is externallyexternally motivated. motivated.

Putting yourself in another’s shoes enhances Putting yourself in another’s shoes enhances your capacity to your capacity to correctly explain their actionscorrectly explain their actions

Looking at Looking at Attribution ErrorsAttribution Errors

Three kinds of information help us assign Three kinds of information help us assign causalitycausalityDistinctiveness: Distinctiveness: the uniqueness of a situationthe uniqueness of a situation

Consistency: Consistency: the sameness from situation-to-situationthe sameness from situation-to-situation

Consensus: Consensus: others acting the same wayothers acting the same way

BiasesBiasesActor-observer bias: Actor-observer bias: explaining others’ behavior via explaining others’ behavior via internal causes, while our own via external causesinternal causes, while our own via external causes

Defensive attribution: Defensive attribution: successes attributed to internal successes attributed to internal causes, failures due to external causescauses, failures due to external causes

Just-world hypothesis: Just-world hypothesis: good things happen to good good things happen to good people, bad things happen to bad peoplepeople, bad things happen to bad people

Monitoring Your Own Monitoring Your Own BehaviorBehavior

Take the time to look at what caused your Take the time to look at what caused your behaviorbehaviorRationalizing or making excuses for your behavior doesn’t help you find the causes.Look for physical, emotional, psychic, or situational causes.

Pay attention to the mistake(s) expressing Pay attention to the mistake(s) expressing them possibly in a joking mannerthem possibly in a joking mannerAdmitting to a mistake is the first step to doing something about it. It shows you to be an intelligent, competent person.

Let others know you’re actively doing Let others know you’re actively doing something about your problem behaviorssomething about your problem behaviorsBe open and honest with yourself and others. If you need to ask forgiveness, do so in a sincere manner.

Insuring Accuracy in Insuring Accuracy in Explaining BehaviorExplaining Behavior

Don’t confuse observations with Don’t confuse observations with inferencesinferences

Be sensitive to how personal qualities and Be sensitive to how personal qualities and situational factors contribute to any situational factors contribute to any behaviorbehavior

Take care not to get trapped by Take care not to get trapped by attribution errorsattribution errors

Make sure your explanation of the Make sure your explanation of the behavior is based on acceptable evidence, behavior is based on acceptable evidence, is relevant, and selected only after is relevant, and selected only after alternations or conclusions have been alternations or conclusions have been ruled outruled out