critical thinking assumption

8/8/2019 Critical Thinking Assumption

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Critical Thinking:Critical Thinking:

Strategies in Decision MakingStrategies in Decision Making

MGT/350MGT/350

Felicitator: Ron Sears MAFelicitator: Ron Sears MA


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IntroductionsIntroductions Who are you?Who are you?

What do you do?What do you do?

What do you want out of this course?What do you want out of this course?

Fun factFun fact Answer one of these questions:Answer one of these questions:

What movie or TV character would you most like to be?What movie or TV character would you most like to be?

What two people dead or alive would you like to haveWhat two people dead or alive would you like to havelunch with?lunch with?

If you could go back into timeIf you could go back into timewhat period of time wouldwhat period of time wouldyou go back to?you go back to?


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Course ObjectivesCourse Objectives

This course develops the analyticalThis course develops the analytical

abilities of students and equips themabilities of students and equips themwith concrete skills in critical thinkingwith concrete skills in critical thinkingand decision making.and decision making.


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Syllabus ReviewSyllabus Review

AttendanceAttendance

ParticipationParticipation Late AssignmentsLate Assignments

Academic IntegrityAcademic Integrity

Learning Teams and RolesLearning Teams and Roles WikipediaWikipedia

LaptopsLaptops


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First PaperFirst Paper

Share your paper onShare your paper onCritical ThinkingCritical ThinkingApplicationApplication

Provide an example from your personalProvide an example from your personalexperience.experience.


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Notable QuotesNotable Quotes

Thinking is the hardest work there is,Thinking is the hardest work there is,which is probably why so few engage in it.which is probably why so few engage in it.

Henry FordHenry Ford

At a certain age some peoples mindsAt a certain age some peoples minds

close up. They live on their intellectual fat.close up. They live on their intellectual fat. William Lyon PhelpsWilliam Lyon Phelps


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Learn Team DiscussionLearn Team Discussion

Define critical thinking.Define critical thinking.

Come to a consensus.Come to a consensus. Select a spoke person.Select a spoke person.


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Thinking Critically MeansThinking Critically Means

Examining different viewpointsExamining different viewpoints

Learn to think from different perspectives.Learn to think from different perspectives.

View those opinions which differ fromView those opinions which differ fromyours.yours.

Examine the assumptions, metaphors, &Examine the assumptions, metaphors, &

analogies of your own viewpoints & ofanalogies of your own viewpoints & ofothers.others.

Avoid automatic responses.Avoid automatic responses.


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General Working Definition ofGeneral Working Definition of

Critical ThinkingCritical ThinkingA process that evaluates ideas through theA process that evaluates ideas through the

testing of statements (accuracy) and thetesting of statements (accuracy) and the

soundness of reasoning behind them.soundness of reasoning behind them.


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Is thisa good recommendation or not and if not why?


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Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question Why is critical thinking important?Why is critical thinking important?

Is there a difference between thinking andIs there a difference between thinking and

critically thinking?critically thinking? Can we train ourselves to thinkCan we train ourselves to think

differently?differently?

How do we prepare ourselves to newHow do we prepare ourselves to newpatterns of thought?patterns of thought?


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Thoughts to PonderThoughts to Ponder

Education means development of the mind fromEducation means development of the mind from

within so it will help one to take problems apartwithin so it will help one to take problems apart

and put them to work based upon soundand put them to work based upon soundjudgment.judgment.

What if you choose to read no new books forWhat if you choose to read no new books forthe next ten years?the next ten years?

Would your mind be different?Would your mind be different?


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Critical Thinking QuotesCritical Thinking Quotes We cant solve problems by using the same kind ofWe cant solve problems by using the same kind of

thinking we used when we created them.thinking we used when we created them.

Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein

Discovery is seeing what everybody else has seen,Discovery is seeing what everybody else has seen,

and thinking what nobody else has thought.and thinking what nobody else has thought.

UnknownUnknown

The human mind once stretched by a new ideaThe human mind once stretched by a new idea

never goes back to its original dimensions.never goes back to its original dimensions.

Oliver Wendell HomesOliver Wendell Homes


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Characteristics of Critical Thinkers:Characteristics of Critical Thinkers:

Strive for understandingStrive for understanding

Are honest with themselvesAre honest with themselves

Base judgment on evidenceBase judgment on evidenceAre interested in other peoples ideasAre interested in other peoples ideas

Control their feelings/emotionsControl their feelings/emotions

Recognize that extreme views are seldomRecognize that extreme views are seldomcorrect.correct.


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Characteristics of Critical ThinkersCharacteristics of Critical Thinkers

Keep an open mindKeep an open mind

They are very observantThey are very observant

Identify key issues and raise questionsIdentify key issues and raise questions

Obtain relevant factsObtain relevant facts

Evaluate the findings and form judgmentsEvaluate the findings and form judgments


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What does the absence of criticalWhat does the absence of critical

thinking look like?thinking look like? We blindly accept at face value allWe blindly accept at face value all

justifications given by organizations andjustifications given by organizations and

political leaders.political leaders.

We blindly believe TV commercials.We blindly believe TV commercials.

We blindly continue to hold on to oldWe blindly continue to hold on to oldbeliefs.beliefs.


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Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

Do you agree or disagree with the followingDo you agree or disagree with the followingstatement and why?statement and why?

Not only do we tend to think about theNot only do we tend to think about theworld according to what we want to seeworld according to what we want to see

and what we need to see, we tend to thinkand what we need to see, we tend to thinkof it in terms of what we expect to see.of it in terms of what we expect to see.


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PerceptionPerception

We often see and hear what we want to seeWe often see and hear what we want to seeand hear, based upon our past experiences,and hear, based upon our past experiences,

interests, motives, expectations; to stayinterests, motives, expectations; to staywithin our comfort zone.within our comfort zone.


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Young girl? Orold women?


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Man playinghorn? Or awomens

silhouette?


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A face of anative

American? Or

an Eskimosback?


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Terms of Critical ThinkingTerms of Critical Thinking

AmbiguityAmbiguity

AssumptionsAssumptions

ValuesValues

EmotionsEmotions

LanguageLanguage

ArgumentArgument FallacyFallacy

Thinking BarriersThinking Barriers


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AmbiguityAmbiguity

AmbiguityAmbiguity the existence of multiplethe existence of multiplepossible meanings for a word or phrase.possible meanings for a word or phrase.

Words and language is everything.Words and language is everything.

Words often have multiple meaning.Words often have multiple meaning.

AbstractAbstract less and less specific of aless and less specific of adefinition.definition.

Arguments can have different meaningsArguments can have different meaningsantianti--war vs. support our troopswar vs. support our troops

Words can also be emotionally based.Words can also be emotionally based.


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AssumptionsAssumptions

Unstated beliefs that support specificUnstated beliefs that support specificreasoning.reasoning.

Something taken to be true without proofSomething taken to be true without proofor demonstration.or demonstration. Websters DictionaryWebsters Dictionary


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Assumptions Can Be . . .Assumptions Can Be . . .

Can be hidden or unstated.Can be hidden or unstated.

Taken for granted.Taken for granted. Influential in determining the conclusionInfluential in determining the conclusion

Sometimes necessary, if the reasoning isSometimes necessary, if the reasoning is

to make sense.to make sense. Potentially deceptive.Potentially deceptive.


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Tips for Locating Assumptions:Tips for Locating Assumptions:

Look for ideas that support the reason.Look for ideas that support the reason.

Identify with the author or speaker, walkIdentify with the author or speaker, walkin their shoes, understand their rolein their shoes, understand their role

Play devils advocate or rolePlay devils advocate or role--reversalreversal

Creatively think about other possibilities.Creatively think about other possibilities.


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ValuesValues Importance of certain ideas or beliefs.Importance of certain ideas or beliefs.

Does our values influences behavior?Does our values influences behavior?

Ideas that people see as worthwhile.Ideas that people see as worthwhile.

Provide standards of conduct by which weProvide standards of conduct by which we

measure quality of human behavior.measure quality of human behavior.


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EmotionEmotionLeave emotion out of it! is impossible.Leave emotion out of it! is impossible.

Part of everything we do and thinkPart of everything we do and think

Critical thinkers dont ignore or denyCritical thinkers dont ignore or deny

emotions; accept and manage them.emotions; accept and manage them.

QuestionQuestion Do we make sound decision in a highlyDo we make sound decision in a highly

charged emotional state?charged emotional state?


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EMOTI

ON

SEMOTI

ON

S Recognize feelingsRecognize feelings

Respect those thatRespect those thatare the result ofare the result ofcareful thought andcareful thought and

reflectionreflection


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LanguageLanguage The landscape of the mind.The landscape of the mind.

The software of the brain.The software of the brain.

The limits of my language are the limitsThe limits of my language are the limitsof my life to this point.of my life to this point.


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LanguageLanguage How is language used in decision making?How is language used in decision making?


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LanguageLanguage How is language used in decision making?How is language used in decision making?

To informTo inform

To explainTo explain

To persuadeTo persuade


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LanguageLanguage Words can have two kinds ofWords can have two kinds of

meaning:meaning:

DenotativeDenotative

ConnotativeConnotative

What does each mean?What does each mean?


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LanguageLanguage

Denotative:Denotative:

Dictionary meaningDictionary meaning


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LanguageLanguage

DenotativeDenotative::

Dictionary meaning:Dictionary meaning:What is an apple?What is an apple?

The firm, edible, usually rounded fruitThe firm, edible, usually rounded fruit

of this tree.of this tree.


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LanguageLanguage

ConnotativeConnotative::

Overtones or suggestions beyond theOvertones or suggestions beyond thedictionary meanings.dictionary meanings.

What do you think of when you hear theWhat do you think of when you hear theword apple?word apple?


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LanguageLanguage

Food, Pie, Macintosh, a computer, Adam &Food, Pie, Macintosh, a computer, Adam &Eve, keeps the doctor away, applesauce,Eve, keeps the doctor away, applesauce,

an orchard, etc.an orchard, etc.


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ArgumentArgument

A claim used to persuade others as toA claim used to persuade others as towhether something is true or false or ifwhether something is true or false or if

something should or should not be done.something should or should not be done. Consists of:Consists of:

IssueIssue

One or more reasonsOne or more reasons ConclusionConclusion


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FallacyFallacyAn incorrect pattern of reasoningAn incorrect pattern of reasoning

Many fallacys existMany fallacys exist

Example:Example:

Common belief fallacy: We assume a statement isCommon belief fallacy: We assume a statement istrue based on the evidence that others believe it.true based on the evidence that others believe it.

A statement or argument based upon aA statement or argument based upon afalse or invalid conclusion.false or invalid conclusion. Websters DictionaryWebsters Dictionary


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Thinking BarriersThinking Barriers

EmotionsEmotions

AngerAnger

PassionPassionDepressionDepression

StressStress

Bias (values and beliefs)Bias (values and beliefs)


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Personal Barriers to thinkingPersonal Barriers to thinking

(Ego Defenses)(Ego Defenses) DenialDenial

Refuse to accept reality.Refuse to accept reality.

ProjectionProjection We see in others what is really happening toWe see in others what is really happening to

us.us.

RationalizationRationalization Lying to ourselves about the real reasons forLying to ourselves about the real reasons for

our behaviors and feelings.our behaviors and feelings.


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Thinking ErrorsThinking Errors

PersonalizationPersonalization Thinking in which the world revolvesThinking in which the world revolves

around an individualaround an individual Polarized ThinkingPolarized Thinking

There is only black or whiteThere is only black or white no grayno gray

CatastrophizingCatastrophizingAlways consider the worst possibleAlways consider the worst possible

outcome (all the time)outcome (all the time)


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Thinking ErrorsThinking Errors (Continued)(Continued)

Selective abstractionSelective abstraction

Focusing on one detail of a situationFocusing on one detail of a situationand ignoring the larger pictureand ignoring the larger picture

OvergeneralizationOvergeneralization

Drawing broad conclusions on the basisDrawing broad conclusions on the basisof a single incident.of a single incident.


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Five Phases of Critical ThinkingFive Phases of Critical Thinking

Phase 4: Finding AlternativesPhase 4: Finding Alternatives

Also called the transition stage when old ideasAlso called the transition stage when old ideas

are either left behind and a new way ofare either left behind and a new way of

thinking begins.thinking begins.

Phase 5: IntegrationPhase 5: Integration

Involves fitting new ideas and informationInvolves fitting new ideas and information

into everyday usage.into everyday usage.


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Key Questions to CriticalKey Questions to Critical

ThinkingThinking What are the issues and the expectedWhat are the issues and the expected

conclusions?conclusions?

What are the reasons?What are the reasons?

What words or phrases are ambiguous?What words or phrases are ambiguous?

What are the value conflicts andWhat are the value conflicts and

assumptions?assumptions?

What are the assumptions?What are the assumptions?


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Key Questions to CriticalKey Questions to Critical

ThinkingThinkingAre there any fallacies in the reasoning?Are there any fallacies in the reasoning?

How good is the evidence?How good is the evidence?

Are there rival causes?Are there rival causes?

Are the statistics deceptive?Are the statistics deceptive?

What significant information is omitted?What significant information is omitted?

What reasonable conclusions are possible?What reasonable conclusions are possible?


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Critical thinking involves evaluatingCritical thinking involves evaluatinginformation or arguments in terms ofinformation or arguments in terms of

their accuracy and worththeir accuracy and worth

Verbal ReasoningVerbal Reasoning

Understanding and evaluating the persuasiveUnderstanding and evaluating the persuasivetechniques found in oral and written languagetechniques found in oral and written language

Argument AnalysisArgument Analysis

Discriminating between reasons that do and doDiscriminating between reasons that do and do

not support a particular conclusionnot support a particular conclusion


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Critical thinking involves evaluatingCritical thinking involves evaluatinginformation or arguments in terms ofinformation or arguments in terms of

their accuracy and worththeir accuracy and worth

Decision MakingDecision Making

identifying and judging several alternatives andidentifying and judging several alternatives and

selecting the best alternativeselecting the best alternative Critical Analysis of Prior ResearchCritical Analysis of Prior Research

evaluating the value of data and research results inevaluating the value of data and research results in

terms of the methods used to obtain them and theirterms of the methods used to obtain them and their

potential relevance to particular conclusions.potential relevance to particular conclusions.


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Problem Solving ProcedureProblem Solving Procedure

Define the problem (not the symptom)Define the problem (not the symptom)

Remove thinking barriers (bias and logical)Remove thinking barriers (bias and logical)

Gather all relevant factsGather all relevant facts Generate solutions (brainstorming,Generate solutions (brainstorming,

creative thinking)creative thinking)

Select a solution (pros and cons) andSelect a solution (pros and cons) and

have a back up planhave a back up plan Implement and evaluateImplement and evaluate


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Characteristics of CriticalCharacteristics of Critical

Thinking & Decision MakingThinking & Decision Making University of Phoenix ModelUniversity of Phoenix Model

Framing the questionFraming the question

Making the decisionMaking the decision

Evaluating the decisionEvaluating the decision


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University of Phoenix ModelUniversity of Phoenix Model


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Learning Team AssignmentLearning Team Assignment

Prepare a 1050 to 1400 word paper inPrepare a 1050 to 1400 word paper inwhich you analyze at least three differentwhich you analyze at least three different

types of thinking styles.types of thinking styles. Compare and contrast and comment onCompare and contrast and comment on

how each affects the criticalhow each affects the critical--thinkingthinkingprocess.process.

Apply Critical Thinking to a workplaceApply Critical Thinking to a workplaceexample.example.

critical thinking assumption

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