What is critical thinking in simple words?
Critical thinking refers to the thoughtful decisions taken by individual. As critical refers to the careful, analytical and evaluating. So, critical thinking is refers to the decisions made by evaluating an checking the facts before accepting or taking action on them.
Example,
When someone says tea or coffe is unhealthy, normal thinking will accept it as it is. But when does critical thinking comes, they will ask for questions, evidence and fact about it.
In critical thinking, one take decision based on rational and logical way rather than simply accepting it.
Simple pattern of critical thinking is below,
Receive any Information –> Then Ask questions about it —> Verify all facts and info. and data —- > Take a proper, good or smart decisions
Critical Thinking Skills
A good observation
In critical thinking, observation is of about checking and evaluating the facts, details of event or activity properly in order to make a good judgement. When you have observe a certain activity on multiple parameters, then you take a better decisions.
Analysis
This involves study of information, it is done when information is more, or there is comparison of two things. So, for critical thinking, one needs to break things down into the small things to understand it, show their relationships and patters. So, this is important skills, as poor analysis results in wrong decisions.
Questioning and evaluating
Questions regarding the truth of the things, then assessing their validity, evidence, reliability etc. Study it from the perspective of bias, reasoning, logics and then made a proper sound conclusions.
Self Evaluation (reflection)
It is most important thing. It involves to review your own thought process, study your mistakes and bias while study or doing some work. This mainly involve to ask self a question that, Do you take proper decisions on evidence basis or just on your assumptions you have taken a decisions.
Examples of Critical Thinking
Student and teacher example:-
A student has low marks in exam. A teacher may consider him lazy and he dont study properly.
But, in critical thinking, he or she will analyze his habits, study patterns, check attendence and papers and look into his problems, issues. Then they will provide proper guidance on study, before reaching to any conclusion.
Newspaper
Some people read newspaper and accept it as a truth.
Critical thinker, will first understand the information, ex dringking 1 litre water helps preven kidney diseases. Then he will verify the facts based on scientific knowledge and if found true then only trust on it.
Nurse
Nurse has to take many decision during her duty hours. She can just accept everything because that may cause problem in the patient.
Ex. a patient is compain of chest pain, then nurse will check vitals signs, ask about pain of the patient as how much and how long the pain starts, review doctors order and consult with senior staff. Then she take a proper decisions.