Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is an integrated way of examining information, ideas, and proposals.

Critical Thinking

What does it involve?

Being able to question, explore, and deal effectively with yourself, others, and life’s problems

Developing your own view of the world Being open to new ideas and willing to

analyze issues

What does it involve?

Supporting your personal views with reasons and evidence, while understanding alternative viewpoints.

Discussing your ideas with others to test and enrich your thinking.

Critical Thinking Process

Testing existing ideas and/or solutions for flaws and errors. Being able to apply logic and make

one’s own decisions.

Steps of Critical Thinking Identify and describe a problem Discriminate between fact and opinion List possible solutions and their

consequences Identify personal and/or family values that

conflict with the situation Take a defensible position based on logic

How do you make personal decisions? Do your make your decisions at the time

something happens or ahead of time?

Decision Making

Ask Yourself Is it against the law, my rules or the

teachings of my family or religion?

Ask Yourself Is it harmful to me or to others?

Ask Yourself

Would it disappoint my family or other adults who are important to me?

Ask Yourself Is it wrong to do?

Ask Yourself Could I be sorry afterward?

Ask Yourself Would I be hurt or upset if someone did this

to me?

Ask Yourself Is it within my value system?

Healthful

Ethical

Legal

Parent approval

Help Strategy

1. State the Situation Clearly identify the situation Ask yourself: what decision do I need to

make? Who is involved? Am I feeling pressure to make a decision? How much time do I have to decide?

2. List the Options What are all the possible choices you could

make? Remember that sometimes it is appropriate not to take action. Sare your options with parents or guardians, siblings, teachers, or friends. Ask for their advice

3. Weigh the Possible Outcomes Weigh the consequences of each option.

Use the HELP strategy to guide your choices.

4. Consider Values A responsible decision will reflect your

values

5. Make a Decision and Act on it Use everything you know at this point to

make a responsible decision. You can feel good that you have carefully thought about the situation and your options.

6. Evaluate the decision After you have made the decision and taken

action, reflect on what happened. What was the outcome? How did your decision affect your health and the health of those around you? What did you learn? Would you take the same action again? If not, how would our choice differ?