3.0 Critical Thinking Skills

What is critical thinking?

You have probably heard of critical thinking before, but how is it important?

Often, it is easier to see how critical thinking might be important at school because of the learning-oriented environment, but the ability to be critical about information is relevant to every aspect of our lives, whether in English when understanding text or in other school subjects, the workplace, and even our personal lives or relationships.

Nearly every opportunity a person has to make a decision or choice about anything is an opportunity to use critical thinking skills. This can range from comparing prices of music albums to making a decision about a first vehicle. In English courses, critical thinking assists you to understand and respond to all texts you encounter in life.

Critical thinking skills are also valuable for conflict resolution. Conflict can occur in any setting, often when we least expect it. Our reactions to conflict are the result of a decision we have to make or that we have made already. Sometimes, our reactions must be impulsive, but this might cause even more conflict! Critical thinking can help us solve problems and address conflicts more easily.

Interestingly, if a person makes critically informed decisions, even impulsive decisions are made more effectively (a nice side effect, right?). The accomplishment of all critical thinking is that you are ensuring you have more control and understanding of situations you face or choices you make.

What are assumptions?

You will encounter this term a lot when attempting to negotiate conflict and problem solve. When someone makes an assumption about another person or situation, they are making an inaccurate statement or “guess” that is not based on factual information. Assumptions can also be explained as forming conclusions about a prediction without supportive evidence.

 The tricky part is often assumptions are made unknowingly. We might not know until it's too late! Assumptions appear frequently in literary texts because they can create irony and conflict amongst characters, but the same situations are observable in real life when we make accidental assumptions about situations or people we don't fully understand or know.

How do we battle assumptions (our own and those of others)? Always ask for or provide specific clarification in communication when necessary. Collect or communicate accurate and complete information in order to be as informed or informative as possible in situations where clear communication is important. What other ideas to prevent assumption-forming can you think of?