Summary: What I Learned About Critical Thinking

One of the key concepts I learned about critical thinking is the capacity to actively apply critical thinking skills to all areas of life. In the past, I primarily thought about critical thinking skills as it related to research articles. On occasions, I also thought about critical thinking skills when discussions about popular beliefs or religious aspects arose. There were times when I have rebelled against social pressures and have thought about the ways people in general are influenced by opinions and notions that are not necessarily true (or concepts that lack evidence). I have questioned things in the past, but not with conscious critical thinking efforts. The thoughts and questions were automatic and instinctual in many cases. In some ways, automatic thoughts can be associated with passive thinking. Passivity was another aspect I learned to be aware of in relation to critical thinking. Passive thinking can play a part in how easily we are influenced by social messages, media, and advertisements. In regard to advertisements, conscious and purposeful thinking about influence and persuasion can help consumers to refrain from buying unnecessary products and to save money. I thought about how many times I’ve purchased things because infomercials influenced me that I needed the product. I learned that just because a product may be helpful in some ways, that doesn’t mean I necessarily need it, and this idea taught me that critical thinking can be economical.

Sometimes we (as consumers and as social beings in general) go along with a variety of acts because we subconsciously thing we’re “supposed” to do things in a certain way. I’ve learned to apply conscious efforts in making decisions no matter how large or small the decision may be. Critical thinking involves having a mind of our own and not just going along with claims and persuasion. However, critical thinking does not mean we should reject everything. Critical thinking does not always have to take a negative stance. Regardless of my personal opinions about a particular subject, I have learned to consider all possible sides of issues and that critical thinking can be applied to problem solving strategies in every domain. The Force Field Analysis exercise Gary Hare introduced to the Media 700 group at NSO facilitated new ways of thinking about arguments and counter-arguments before deciding on a position to take regarding a particular problem. Some of the topics discussed during the Force Field Analysis exercise (which included an examination of the aspects that facilitated current states particular problems as well as factors that prevented the current states from moving toward goal states) lead me to think about unseen reasons and motives for the state of different problems and why a particular person or group of people might want to present a particular side of an issue. Things that are considered problems to some can be considered solutions to others. Therefore, it is important to consider the role of biases, motives, and possible gains when thinking about information given by particular parties. When information is given, evidence and support is should be taken into account. The methods used to gain evidence should also be examined. Having and applying knowledge of scientific methods is practical in deciding if particular claims are believable or credible.

Lastly, Critical thinking can be used as a self-correcting method. We can use critical thinking to explore our own biases and ways of thinking about, questioning, and viewing various concepts. Critical thinking is not only to be used in a negative sense or as skepticism and rejection of the ideas of others, but can also be used to ensure a proper balance of questioning and accepting information. Considering all sides of issues can help us to identify our own faulty thinking and to decide if we are considering gray areas as opposed to black or white thinking in regard to particular issues and decisions. Applying balanced thinking skills may help us to realize that we are not always correct in our judgments and may have biases in favor of ourselves. One of the most valuable lessons I have learned about applying critical thinking skills to my everyday life is to ask objective questions about subjective matters. I will apply the concepts learned within the PSY 700 Critical Thinking course in decision making and in improving academic, career, and personal matters. I know that it will take practice to master critical thinking skills and I will make conscious efforts to apply the learned concepts in daily activities and experiences.