Critical Thinking

What is critical thinking?

The process of thinking carefully about a subject or idea without letting feelings or opinions affect you

What is a statement?

A claim

What is an argument?

A reason proposed to support a conclusion

What is a fact?

Something true that can be objectively verified

What is an opinion?

A subjective belief that cannot be objectively verified

What is an objective claim?

A claim that is factually true or false regardless of what people think

What is a subjective claim?

A claim that is true or false depending on what people think

What is the first intellectual standard?

Clarity: makes thinking understandable and relevant to all others

What is the second intellectual standard?

Accuracy: evaluates the validity of information

What is the third intellectual standard?

Precision: refines information to be specific and detailed

What is the fourth intellectual standard?

Relevance: focuses on information important to the issue

What is the fifth intellectual standard?

Depth: addresses the complexities of an issue

What is the sixth intellectual standard?

Breadth: considers multiple perspectives or interpretations

What is the seventh intellectual standard?

Logic: ensures thoughts are mutually supporting and coherent

What is the eighth intellectual standard?

Significance: identifies the most important elements of an argument

What is the ninth intellectual standard?

Fairness: avoids personal bias

What is the cognitive domain?

Focuses on intellectual skills like critical thinking

What are cognitive domain operations?

Methods that target beliefs

What are the elements of reasoning?

Purpose

What is the purpose of thinking?

The objective or goal of the thinking process

What is the question at issue?

Evaluating if the correct question is being asked

What is information in critical thinking?

Assessing accuracy

What are implications and consequences?

Outcomes and effects of reasoning

What are inferences?

Conclusions drawn from information

What are assumptions?

Beliefs and values influencing thinking

What is point of view?

Perspective from which the reasoning occurs

What are common thinking errors?

Fast instinctive thinking

What is System 1 thinking?

Fast

What is System 2 thinking?

Slow

What is a stereotype?

Oversimplified or snap judgments that block critical thinking

What is the Halo Effect?

Cognitive bias where a single trait defines an entire person or situation

What is Belief Perseverance?

Cognitive bias where personal beliefs shape perception and lead to confirmation bias

What is deflection in thinking?

Answering the wrong question to steer focus away from the original issue

How does critical thinking relate to disinformation?

Uses cognitive skills to detect manipulation of beliefs