2. Components of a good critical thinker Perception- the way we see the world Assumption- implied ideas Emotion- an individuals state of mind in relation to their environment. Language- complex systems of communication. Argument- a set of sentences, (premises and conclusion) Fallacy- incorrect reasoning resulting in misconception. Logic- principles of valid reasoning. Problem solving- a higher order cognitive process that requires control of routine and fundamental skills.
3. Critical thinkers make decisions based on taking the time to gather appropriate information, research and weighing the possible outcomes. Critical thinking allows people to compare, analyze, critique, and synthesize information. Critical thinkers keep an open mind and change there views based on new knowledge aquired. Critical thinkers examine there actions to see why they make the decisions they do.
4. Good critical thinkers know how to separate opinions from facts. Critical thinkers make better decisions which are less impulsive, leading them to be more successful in life. They also know the difference between rational thoughts and emotional impulses. Critical thinking greatly increases success in college students.
5. Good critical thinking skills require practice. To develop good critical thinking skills, it is necessary to internalize principles and apply them to everyday situations. Critical thinking requires putting aside biases when coming up with logical courses of action.
6. Critical thinking games These are a few exercises I found on the internet to help improve critical thinking skills. Critical Thinking Exercise 1: Tour Guide for an Alien Pretend that you have been assigned the task of conducting a tour for aliens who are visiting earth and observing human life. You're riding along in a blimp, and you float over a professional baseball stadium. One of your aliens looks down and becomes very confused, so you tell him that there is a game going on. Try to answer the following questions for him. What is a game? Why are there no female players? Why do people get so passionate watching other people play games?
7. More critical thinking exercises Try to determine whether each statement sounds like a fact or an opinion, and discuss with a friend or study partner. My mom is the best mom on earth. My dad is taller than your dad. My telephone number is difficult to memorize. The deepest part of the ocean is 35,813 feet deep. Dogs make better pets than turtles. Smoking is bad for your health. Eighty-five percent of all cases of lung cancer in the U.S. are caused by smoking. If you flatten and stretch out a Slinky toy it will be 87 feet long. Slinky toys are fun. One out of every hundred American citizens is color blind. Two out of ten American citizens are boring.
