Critical Thinking Application

Critical thinking can help people to take control of their own thinking. They learn to distinguish between what is opinion and factual reality. Moreover, the process of critical thinking helps an individual to assess what others either write or speak, and ascertain the validity of his or her comments. Throughout this paper the author, Kerri will define as well as describe critical thinking. Next Kerri will provide an example from her personal experience in applying critical thinking to a work-related decision, and the importance and benefits of critical thinking in the decision-making processes.

Critical Thinking

"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 taking charge of the structures inherent in thinking and imposing intellectual standards upon them" (Paul & Elder, 2001, p. xx). This tells us to think about the problem, analyze the problem, and solve the problem. To understand critical think a person must understand how to think. As stated above critical thinking can help people to take control of their own thinking.

Analysis allows the person to view a problem from different points of view; furthermore, to study it as well as question it. When analyzing a problem the individual must try to set aside any preconceived bias and view the problem objectively. The analysis step of critical thinking is the onset of this process. This step is to raise options, questions, information, and possible conclusions; therefore, leading the person to evaluate the available information.

Evaluation is the next step in critical thinking. This important step is used their thoughts for clarity, assumptions, bias, accuracy, and fairness. When evaluating their thoughts an individual should try look at the process from different angles and perspectives. Doing this the person can take each position and examine it critically and without prejudices.

Analyzing and evaluating ones thinking exercises the mind and improves the process of one's critical thinking skills. Just like going to the gym and exercising one's body to build muscle, critical thinking builds one's mind. Critical thinking gives us the tools to develop our minds, to take command of it, and level the playing field (Paul & Elder, 2006). People who use critical thinking learn to analyze, evaluate, and improve their own thoughts.

Critical thinkers have certain attributes that permit them to observe conditions around themselves and make educated choices that can solve either problems or dilemmas. Some of these attributes are, such as asking relevant questions, developing a sense of curiosity, not afraid of being wrong, looking for new solutions, accepting changes as well as many other attributes. Critical thinking has many specific distinctiveness and benefits, where it precisely influences decision making. Critical thinking is vital when learning to think critically, although it is important not to lose view of formulating decisions.

Furthermore, by using the preceding steps an individual will look objectively at any number of problems. By examining the facts he or she will come to an educated decision. Thus, overcoming the tendency to make hasty decisions grounded on biases