Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking

"While you listen to information, you interpret and assign meaning to the spoken words. When you go the next step and engage in critical thinking, you think carefully about what another person has said to you and you also evaluate the believability of the spoken message. Just as speakers can get carried away with their message's urgency and importance, so listeners can end up believing false or dangerous ideas that have been made to appear reasonable. Consequently it is essential for you as a listener to stay alert so that you are ready to challenge and raise questions about what you are listening to. It is when functioning as a critical thinker that you make a commitment to think for yourself." (Gamble & Gamble, Communication Works, 183-4)

California State University, Chico-Critical Thinking

Cthink

Indiana University, Bloomington-Critical Thinking

Resources

Application: If you were to design a test to evaluate critical thinking, what elements would it contain? How do you think you would do on the test? What skills do you need to develop to improve your critical thinking?

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