Creative Problem Solving

Who was Socrates and what did he teach?

Greek Philosopher/teacher, pioneered Socratic Method,

• Taught people to question all assumptions.

• Not all ideas are correct just because authority says so.

• Examine ideas on their own merits.

• Did not support rebellion for rebellion’s sake.

What is the Socratic Method?

• Develops ideas through dialogue and questioning.

• Breaks arguments down to expose assumptions.

• All ideas are questioned, no matter who said them.

What was Trial of Socrates?

emphasized the power of questioning established sources of authority and information

How did Socrates die?

leaders of Athens sentenced him to death via hemlock for not not believing the Gods of the city

Effects of Hemlock

Body Paralysis

Bladder overwhelmed by toxicity

Frothing at the mouth

Respiratory Distress

Seizures leading to death

Delphi Project definition of Critical Thinking

"Purposeful, self-regulatory judgment which results in interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and inference, as well as an explanation of the evidential, conceptual, methodological, criteriological, or contextual considerations upon which that judgment is based."

Is the most well-known definition of CT

What is critical thinking

• Essential for human progress.

• High-demand skill in the modern economy.

• 93% of business leaders say it’s more important than your major.

• Makes us more well-rounded and employable.

layman’s definition of critical thinking

• Thinking deeply about ideas.

• Basing ideas on factual evidence, not just opinions

How to think critically?

• Categorize evidence related to the problem.

• Use knowledge to solve the problem.

• Make connections to fully understand the issue.

What is the purpose of critical thinking?

• Helps find the truth by identifying facts.

• Leads to better decisions.

• Drives innovation in today’s start-up economy.

What are the components of critical thinking?

• Perception

• Assumptions

• Emotion

• Language

• Arguments

• Fallacies

• Logic

• Problem-Solving

What is disruptive Innovation

Something Tech companies seek

ie: creating new markets & value systems to replace current business models

What is a Disruptive Plan?

a practice of CT

ie: you’re examining and assessing weaknesses & strengths within a current system to develop a more efficient plan

What is perception?

• First step in thinking.

• Not neutral – shaped by personal values.

• Example: Trishia didn’t attend many HOSA meetings. But Trishia values individual learning and getting things done so her perception is that since she studied individually instead of going to meetings her studying is completed since she studied on her own (thus accomplishing her value)

What are assumptions?

2nd component of CT

• Unexamined beliefs that shape our thinking.

• Critical thinkers question assumptions before acting.

• Don't assume something is true—analyze it!

Emotions and CT

3rd component of CT and is a critical component

• emotions influencing decisions is not a bad thing

• emotional attachments and indicators can help determine what problems to solve and how

Language and CT

4th component of CT (the nuts and bolds of CT)

• Words shape our thinking.

• Helps turn abstract ideas into reality.

• Clear wording makes problems easier to solve.

Arguments and CT

5th component of CT

• Building blocks of logical reasoning.

• Made of assumptions + premises leading to a conclusion.

• Strong arguments are backed by logic and facts.

Logical Assumptions

supported by logic and fact

Fallacies

6th component of CT

• Flawed reasoning that sounds logical but isn’t.

• Can be convincing, even when incorrect.

• Example: "The last jellybean was green, so all jellybeans must be green."

• NOT ALWAYS WRONG conclusion but OFTEN WRONG conclusion

Logic and CT

7th component of CT

• Structured thinking that checks if ideas make sense.

• Helps separate truth from falsehood.

• Replaces false premises with valid ones.

Problem Solving

Last component of CT

• CT by itself doesn’t make world cupcakes and rainbows

• find steps to apply critical thinking practically to solve problems

What is the 5-step process to problem-solving?

1. Define the objective

2. Collect relevant information

3. Generate feasible options

4. Make the decision

5. Implement and evaluate

Unproven Assumptions

Sometimes a result of our upbringing or beliefs

leads to negative consequences

Tips for evaluating options when using CT

• List pros and cons

• examine consequences of each option

• test the proposed option against your aims or objective

• risks vs gains

Manifest (Assessing Consequences)

A consequence you could have foreseen when making your decision

Latent (Assessing Consequences)

Consequence you are highly unlikely or even impossible to have forseen

What are key questions to ask when understanding a problem?

• When did the problem start?

• Can you define it in your own words? (A problem well-defined is half-solved!)

• Are there other possible definitions or solutions?

• What’s your goal? Where are you now vs. where do you want to be?

• What key facts, rules, or policies do you need to consider?

• Can you simplify the problem without oversimplifying it?

What are the key steps in solving a problem?

• Check main assumptions

• List feasible options

• synthesize your ideas to make an effective plan

• look at previous solutions to problem (learn from others)

What are key steps for evaluating and implementing a decision?

• use all available resources

• check solutions from all angles

• be clear about the manifest consequences

• have an implementation realistic plan with dates or times for completion

• contingency plan

• set time to review the decision in the light of experience with team

R-A-C-I-R-R – Resources, Angles, Consequences, Implementation, Realistic, Review

What is the Paul-Elder Framework?

3 sections:

• Reasoning: building blocks of thought that guide how we analyze and solve problems

• Intellectual standards: the qualities that make reasoning strong and reliable

• Intellectual traits: the habits of mind that promote effective critical thinking

What are the intellectual traits encouraged in education?

humility, courage, empathy, autonomy, integrity, perseverance, confidence in reason, fairmindedness.

What are the intellectual standards in the Paul-Elder Framework?

A true process of critical thinking will comply each of these following standards:

• Clarity

• Accuracy

• Precision

• Relevance

• Depth

• Breadth

• Logic

• Significance

• Fairness

What is reasoning in the Paul-Elder Framework?

• Thinking through an issue to reach solid conclusions.

• Critical thinking ≠ Regular thinking – It requires deep analysis.

• Focuses on specific thought elements for better decision-making.

What are key elements of reasoning in the Paul-Elder Framework?

• Purpose – What’s the goal?

• Problem Solving – What are you trying to fix?

• Assumptions – Are you making unchecked assumptions?

• Point of View – How do thoughts from culture, biases, and self-interest shape your thinking?

How does data relate to critical thinking in the Paul-Elder Framework?

• Data – Use facts, not guesses.

• Interpretation of Data – Tell a meaningful story with evidence.

• Concepts & Language – Make ideas clear and understandable.

• Implications & Consequences – Connect everything to your original goal.

How do you apply the Paul-Elder Framework?

• Identify the purpose

• Question assumptions

• Analyze different points of view

• Use clear language

• Back up arguments with data

• Interpret findings

• Consider implications & consequences

What is Bloom’s Taxonomy?

• A structured way to improve critical thinking.

• Created in the 1940s as a pyramid model for learning.

• Helps turn hard work into new and exciting ideas

• Blueprint of critical thought

What are the levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy?

• Create – Make something new.

• Evaluate – Judge and defend ideas.

• Analyze – Compare and connect ideas.

• Apply – Use what you know in real life.

• Understand – Explain concepts clearly.

• Remember – Recall basic facts.

Think of it as a step-by-step process: first, you remember, then understand, apply, analyze, evaluate, and finally create.

What are the action steps for applying problem-solving strategies to your health?

• Check your health – Do you have any conditions?

• Know your numbers – Blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.

• Review daily habits – Sleep, diet, exercise.

• Check your mental health – How do you feel?

• Write down your routine – Track your normal schedule

What are the two main types of problems?

1. Obstacles – Barriers in your way that slow progress.

2. System problems – When something is off track, and you need to fix it.

personal roadblocks vs. a broken system that needs repair.

What are the guidelines for brainstorming?

• Suspend judgement – Don’t criticize ideas right away.

• Go with the flow – The more unusual the idea, the better!

• Quantity matters – More ideas = better chances of finding great ones.

• Build on others' ideas – Combine ideas to improve them.

What is the principle behind brainstorming?

• Analyze – Break the problem down.

• Synthesize – Connect different ideas.

• Value – Decide which ideas are worth pursuing.

How do you run a brainstorming session?

• Define the problem

• Understand the background and history

• Write the goal like a question: “In how many ways can we...?”

• Warm up with an easy example.

• Brainstorm freely

• Choose the best ideas using selection criteria.

• Reverse brainstorm – Ask, “How can this idea fail?”

What is the Depth Mind?

• Your subconscious mind that works on problems in the background.

• Helps combine ideas and make new connections.

• Works best after preparation and when you’re relaxed.

What are the four steps of the creative thinking process?

1. Preparation – Gather information and explore solutions.

2. Incubation – Let your mind work on the problem without pressure.

3. Insight – The “Aha!” moment when a new idea appears.

4. Validation – Test the idea to see if it really works.

How can you think outside the box?

• Challenge your assumptions – Don’t accept things as they are.

• Use lateral thinking – Look at ideas from different angles.

• Find ideas in different fields and apply them to your own problem.