Critical Thinking Application Paper

Critical Thinking Application Paper

MGT 350 Critical Thinking Strategies in Decision Making

Sept.27, 2010

Critical Thinking Application Paper

In problem solving and decision making, I would consider critical thinking as the most important form of thinking. A person’s approach to thought needs to change from the natural thinking process to critically thinking in order to evaluate a non-biased solution in any situation or conflict. When critically thinking, our ego is scrutinized because we are not out to win an argument or to protect the ego. In critical thinking, a more reasonable and logical answer is trying to be found. Critical thinkers attempt to disassociate personal beliefs with the way they approach a problem and use special traits in the thinking process, which is known as “fair-mindedness”. When it comes time to start thinking critically on a project, we sometimes find it difficult to switch into the critical thinking mode. The main traits that are usually involved in critical thinking would be:

Self-awareness

When we take into consideration the influences of bias and motives, and realize how we use our personal assumptions, biases, prejudices, and points of view, we are becoming self-aware.

Rationality

Whenever we begin using rationality in critical thinking, we begin adding several different factors. We start to push emotions and first impressions off to the side and start using reasoning. We begin looking for facts and evidence rather than here say and word of mouth. We follow this evidence wherever it leads and concern ourselves with finding a better explanation than just being right. We analyze all situations by asking questions and eliminating confusion. Nothing is taken for granted.

Open-mindedness

When all reasonable inferences are evaluated, the variety of possible perspectives and viewpoints have been considered, along with the acceptance of ideas that explains the evidence better, makes it simpler, covers more...