Core Concepts: Critical Thought

Critical thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it. Critical thinking is, in short, self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It requires rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem solving abilities and a commitment to overcome our native egocentrism and sociocentrism (Elder and Paul, 2006).

Critical thinking is that mode of thinking about any subject, content, or problem in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing it (Foundation for Critical Thinking).

There are several concepts in regard to critical thinking which one should be familiar with such as:

1. The Stages of Critical Thinking Development ( Retrieved from www.criticalthinking.org )

• The stages of critical thinking development is a valuable tool to use to assess where students are in their level of thinking perhaps at the beginning of the semester versus the end of the semester.  It is optimal, that the student progress from the lower stage to one of the more advanced stages after being in a course that actively strives to develop critical thinking, while applying it to issues within the political realm. In order to further students thinking from one stage to another, the other concepts on this page can be used. Here are the stages:
  Stage 1: Unreflective Thinker (unaware of significant problems in our thinking)

  Stage 2: Challenged Thinker (becoming aware of problems in our thinking)

Stage 3: Beginning Thinker ( impoving but without regular practice)

Stage 4:Practicing Thinker (recognizing the need for regular practice)

Stage 5: Advanced Thinker (advancing in keeping without practice)

Stage 6: Master Thinker (good habits of thought are becoming natural)

 

2. Journey to Critical Thinking - The Elements of Thought

• The Elements of Thought graphic illustrates what our thoughts are comprised of.  When discussing political issues and being engaged politically, students should be actively aware of the elements of their thoughts and how they each impact who they are, their perspectives, their  political views & activism or lack thereof.

3. Quality of Thought and Reasoning

• As has been established and widely discussed, today’s undergraduate students are the most disengaged politically (in comparison to previous generations).  For many of them, thinking critically does not come natural and the quality of their thoughts rarely comes to mind.  Many of them don’t know why they think the way they do, and do very little to challenge their everyday mundane thoughts.  In order for students to become engaged politically, they must first become informed citizens who have the  basic skills of examining their ‘everyday  thoughts’.  After this, their capability of thinking through the policy/political issues in a manner that is high in quality and thoroughly examined will likely increase.  These intellectual standards and the questions that accompany the graphic are useful tools to assist students in assessing their thoughts and improving upon the quality of their thoughts/ reasoning.

4. Intellectual Traits

• After students have become more intimate with the elements of their thoughts and the overall quality, they can go one step further in making sure that their thinking reflects these key Intellectual Traits.  If their thinking does reflect many of these traits/virtues they will be in a better position to make thorough analyses of political issues.

To view the graphics and for more information on these concepts, please see "The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts & Tools" (pdf). The full Miniature Guide can be obtained in the FOCUS library in the CTLT.

How could you further enhance critical thought in your curriculum? Record your thoughts to refer to later - use the following text box and PRINT or use the FOCUS Notes Document (keep this document open and continue to use it as you progress through the modules - don't forget to save.

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