Critical and Creative Thinking: Appendix a

Associate Level Material

Appendix A

Stages of Critical Thinking

Complete the matrix by identifying the six stages of critical thinking, describing how to move from each stage to the next, and listing obstacles you may face as you move to the next stage of critical thinking.

Stages of Critical Thinking | How to Move to the Next Stage | Obstacles to Moving to the Next Stage |

EXAMPLE:The Unreflective Thinker | Examine my thinking to identify problems that affect my thinking. | Deceiving myself about the effectiveness of my thinking |

The Challenged Thinker | Accepting that there is a problem with my thinking. | Admitting that there is a problem and being humiliated or rationalizing my thought process. |

The Beginning Thinker | Taking the initiative to start correcting the problems with my thinking even though I do not fully understand what it means to think critically. | Dismissing and rationalizing my thought process and holding myself back from moving forward. |

The Practicing Thinker | Developing a plan to take control of my thoughts and understanding how I react to situations. | Failing to swallow my pride and allowing my ego to keep me from taking control of my thoughts. |

The Advanced Thinker | Understanding my strengths and weaknesses and develop habits that allow me to divulge myself deeper into thought without compromising my values. | Not completely submitting myself to the newly developed thought process I have implemented and deceiving myself about the rational of my thinking. |

Master Thinker | Assessing my progress and ensuring that I have not unintentionally avoided an aspect of my thinking process. Also I need to make sure that my values are not being questioned while continually looking for ways to advance and improve my thought process. | Deceiving myself into believing that I have reached and mastered critical thinking and have no further room for improvement. |

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