Critical Thinking & Reflective Judgment In any academic, political, social, or ethical situation there is always a complex way of coming up with solutions to problems. When children are old enough to solve problems for themselves, society aids in creating and developing critical thinking capabilities; this way, every individual is able to work through and solve their own problems on their own. In Woodhouse’s words, he defines critical thinking as “purposeful, goal-directed thinking that follows a principled, reasoned track” (42). Woodhouse also explains that thinking critically means challenging your own beliefs and thinking outside of the box; to turn the spotlight not on the issues, but on yourself and your own assumptions and arguments (42). There must be a willingness, a feeling more than enjoyment or worthiness, …show more content…
When looking at the symptoms, I have to be willing to engage a lot of habitual, practical thinking and reasoning in order to build a sound argument as to why that particular person should be diagnosed with a specific disorder. It is a recommendation for that client. That in itself is the right way to induct critical thinking into my everyday life. The client may have a strong belief that they are not bipolar because they do not understand the separation between weeks of severe sadness, lethargy and irritability, and weeks of intense feelings of happiness, restlessness, and the tendency to make unattainable plans. But, the logical path I deduct can show them why their actions fit into the Bipolar Disorder as defined in the DSM-5. This disorder can be debilitating for a person’s social and personal life, and therefore, applying my arguments to their symptoms will further prove as evidence for the diagnosis. Without my consistency with my own observations and the DSM-5, my client would assume the wrong treatment, and therefore my job and efforts would have been proven
When students become critical thinkers they are analyzing and reflecting on what they are learning, therefor advancing their skills in problem solving. Problem solving requires one to be able to tackle the problem abstractly from many points of view. Often problems can have more than one solution so it is required to be able to analyze the information and be able to apply it in various ways. In “Idiot Nation” by Michael Moore, he argues that the lack of attention political leaders give to schools in America is one of the biggest factors hindering proper education .Moore puts the blame on leaders like Dwight D. Eisenhower and William Clark, as well as the people who vote for them. The problem is that “the political leaders...have decided it’s a bigger priority to build another bomber than educate our children.”(Moore 131)Moore believes leaders put more effort into military artillery rather than proper education .The solution to America’s problems is not more bombs or weapons. The real solution are the children, the future of America. Therefore it is vital that we turn them into impeccable problem solvers, to solve America’s problems not with weapons but with knowledge. Critical thinking does just that. In an article called “How Critical is Critical Thinking” by Shawn Ryan D he makes references to the various studies of critical thinking and its relation to problem solving.
Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing written by; Gary Colombo, Robert Cullen, and Bonnie Lisle, Eighth Edition, published April, 2007 by Bedford/St. Martin’s, is a textbook about writing and critical thinking. In the first chapter of Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing, “Thinking Critically, Challenging Cultural Myths”, the Authors begin by setting a relatable scene of what it’s like for a college student. How a new found independence can be overwhelming, especially with regards to critical thinking, showing that what we have learned, needs to be re-evaluated and that an open mind in essential. "What Is Critical Thinking" In this section of the chapter the editors explain what it means to be a critical thinker. They explain that critical thinking is not just studying dates and facts, but rather taking those facts and examining them. The editors then proceed by explaining how having an open mind, and taking others' perspectives into account when formulating our own opinions on what the author is trying to say to us is important. A critical thinker takes all aspects into account and reflects on personal experience as well. The editors also point out that different cultural experiences bring different opinions. They suggest that we need to become active learners, continuously questioning the meaning behind everything, testing not only the theories of others but also our own experiences and analyzing the text rather than going for the obvious. They show that thinking outside the box is the epitome of critical thinking. Basically, we need to step outside our comfort zones and what we have always been taught. The editors also suggest that we need to re-evaluate our per...
When trying to define critical thinking you might run into some challenges along the way. Critical thinking is a widely used yet vague term that is practiced by different people in a variety of locations throughout the world. Critical thinking is a strong virtue for the majority and the worst enemy for others. Needless to say without critical thinking we would be nowhere close to where we are today pertaining to our technological and social endeavors.
According to Osmond & Darlington (2005, p.3), as a professional social worker that critical reflection could be a fundamental approach to contribute to their work. Besides, the best value of the critically reflective approach might have a chance to engage with different ideas, knowledge, feelings and theories. Thus, critical reflection is a necessary approach to every social work to contribute them to be professional.
The importance of cognitive reflection on both a personal and managerial level has grown in relevance in recent times linked to new concerns surrounding its direct effect on the way in which decisions are made. This essay aims to offer a clear overview of cognitive reflection, the test itself, how it provides one way of measuring cognitive ability and indicate why a well known and developed understanding of it is vital when considering the decision making process in practice. Further I will look to critically analyze the associated benefits and shortcomings of cognitive reflection, coming to a justified conclusion drawing on relevant theories and research.
Initial Reflective Essay When I first thought of what I wanted to do with my life after college, the first thing I thought of was helping people. The next step in deciding what I wanted to do with my life was to examine how I could accomplish this goal. I started pondering and I was thinking about how much I love to take care of my body. Health care and personal hygiene has always been an important factor in my life. So I decided to major in Health Sciences.
The ability to reflect critically on one’s experience, integrate knowledge gained from experience with knowledge possessed, and take action on insights is considered by some adult educators to be a distinguishing feature of the adult learner (Brookfield 1998; Ecclestone 1996; Mezirow 1991). Critical reflection is the process by which adults identify the assumptions governing their actions, locate the historical and cultural origins of the assumptions, question the meaning of the assumptions, and develop alternative ways of acting (Cranton 1996). Brookfield (1995) adds that part of the critical reflective process is to challenge the prevailing social, political, cultural, or professional ways of acting. Through the process of critical reflection, adults come to interpret and create new knowledge and actions from their ordinary and sometimes extraordinary experiences. Critical reflection blends learning through experience with theoretical and technical learning to form new knowledge constructions and new behaviors or insights.
Questions are something that must be asked and can be very important when reading a literary work, watching a movie, or just simply trying to understand the habits of people today. Asking questions opens up the human brain to dig farther and deeper into the meaning of why someone did something in a specific way and what purpose it has that something must be done in that way. Critical thinking is asking question and trying to hypothesize on what the answer to that question might be. Critically thinking is a healthy aspect of opening up the brain and will improve one’s thought process on how to apply critical thinking in situations where it is dependent, like a future
While the semester is over and the deadline has expired, I thought I would write this to express my true intended thoughts.
Critical thinking is a significant and essential topic in recent education. The strategy of critical thinking skills helps identify areas in one's courses as the suitable place to highlight, expand and use some problems in exams that test students' critical thinking skills.
Have you ever wished you had acted differently in a certain scenario? Many people can look back at their life and reflect on many times they did or said something they wished they would not have, or would have approached in a different way. Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. Based on this definition, critical thinking is not a primal or irrational behavior, but it is professional and organized. Although you may think of critical thinking being applicable to studying and any work at school, it is also very beneficiary in everyday life. Critical thinking can help with decisions you need to make, relationships with other people, and engaging within your community.
What is not easily recognized is the fact that the very fabric of life is dependent on the ability to think properly and make good decisions. Improper thinking is costly in the quality of life and monetarily. The result of a critical thinker that has worked to cultivate proper thinking skills includes: the ability to ask vital questions and to identify problems with clarity. A critical thinker also collects relevant information while effectively interpreting it, thinks with an open mind, uses alternative systems of thought, and understands how to communicate while working to formulate a strong solution. In summary, critical thinking is self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. Above all else, the standards of excellence are rigorous, and it entails the prospect of overcoming the challenge of sociocentrism and
Rudd, R. (2007). Defining critical thinking. Techniques: Connecting Education & Careers, 82(7) 46-49. Retrieved December 9, 2007, from EBSCOhost database.
Reflection is a process of reviewing an experience of practice in order to describe, analyse, evaluate and to inform learning about practice. (Reid, 1999). The term “Reflection” was coined by (Schon, 1991) as an intrinsic capacity for self-awareness and a sense of self in the helping relationship. As a professional social worker, reflection expands that individual’s knowledge skills and abilities; it ensures that the social worker keeps abreast with evidence-based information that enhances that individual professional development within the field. Studies show that the process of engaging in critical reflection on learning and practice is integral in fostering a student and practitioner self-awareness in the field (Fook,
Critical thinking regularly involves the capability to interpret information and make knowledgeable decisions based on such information. Additionally, problem solving is frequently theorised as the use of critical thinking skills towards the effective solution of a specific problem or towards a specific end goal. Critical thinking is the disciplined art of ensuring that you use the best thinking you are capable of in any set of circumstances. The general goal of thinking is to figure out some situation” (Critical Thinking, 2001, p.1), solve some problem, answer some questions, or resolve some issue. It also is a process in which a person pursuits reliable and pertinent information about the world. Critical thinking is often described as reasonable, ruminative, trustworthy, and a well-practiced form of thinking that assists people with deciding what they should believe in and what actions should be taken. A practiced critical thinker will ask good questions, collects pertinent data, categorizes common characteristics, logically reasons with the new data and then he or she will come to a trustworthy and dependable conclusion. Critical thinking makes use of many processes and procedures. Some processes include but is not limited to asking questions, making judgments, and identifying