Critical Thinking - What Is It and Why Is It So Important - DSST - Get College Credit

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March 16, 2015

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Critical Thinking: What Is It

and Why Is It So Important?
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Critical Thinking: The Basics
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Critical thinking is a decision making process used to solve

problems. There are two aspects that define critical thinking:
1. Critical thinking is based on evidence and logical reasoning.

Emotions and memorization are not a part of logical thinking.
2. Critical thinking requires evaluating and improving your own

thought processes. As the Foundation for Critical Thinking
(http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/defining-criticalthinking/766)
explains, critical thinking relies on universal
intellectual values like clarity, relevance and consistency.
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Critical Thinking Skills: How

They Can Help You
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Logical
reasoning
techniques
have many
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positive effects, including:
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Improved cognitive skill

A foundation of logical decision making on which you can
draw, even in stressful situations; and,
Higher academic and professional achievement.
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Here are a few specific examples that (/dsst_fully_funded)
explain why your
critical thinking skills are worth developing:
Critical Thinking Forces Intellectual Self

Improvement
Focusing on evidence over emotion or ego allows you to think
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critically and consider hard facts as you assess your

performance. At its core, critical thinking is inward-focused.
The goal is to maximize your ability to think rationally. This
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sort of critical reflection is key to improving your cognitive
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Critical Thinking Allows You to Become a

Better Team Player
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There can be multiple answers to the same problem, and this

realization is important to the critical thinking process. It
allows you to be a better listener and collaborator when
October 2013
youre working as part of a group, as well as to become more

flexible in your problem solving. Plus, focusing on logical
reasoning rather than on emotion or interpersonal team
dynamics helps you check your ego at the door. That way,
you more easily can be a valuable part of a team.
Critical Thinking Leads to A More Creative

Mindset
According to Linda Elder (http://www.criticalthinking.org
/pages/dr-linda-elder/819)
and Richard Paul
(http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/dr-richard-paul/818) , of
the Foundation for Critical Thinkings Critical Thinking
10/14/2015 1:27 PM
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Community (http://www.criticalthinking.org/) , experienced

critical thinkers will naturally make more connections across
subjects. Interdisciplinary logical thinking leads to
professional and academic success
(http://liberalartssuccess.org/outcomes) .
Critical Thinking Helps You Stay Calm and

Rational Under Stress
Even in very stressful situations, critical thinkers can rely on

their logical decision making skills to make sound decisions.
Especially as you prepare for standardized tests, using logic
to help you sort through lifes challenges can be
extraordinarily helpful.
Think about the impact critical thinking skills can have in
context. Whether as part of a group project in school or in the
workplace, being an attentive listener who can identify
connections that might otherwise go unnoticed gives
10/14/2015 1:27 PM
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interdisciplinary logical thinking professional and

academic value.
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March 16, 2015