Critical Thinking:Critical Thinking:Strategies in Decision Strategies in Decision

MakingMaking

MGT/350MGT/350

Felicitator: Ron Sears MAFelicitator: Ron Sears MA

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

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

If you could go back into time—what period of time If you could go back into time—what period of time would you go back to? would you go back to?

Course ObjectivesCourse Objectives

This course develops the This course develops the analytical abilities of students analytical abilities of students and equips them with concrete and equips them with concrete skills in critical thinking and skills in critical thinking and decision making.decision making.

Syllabus ReviewSyllabus Review

AttendanceAttendance ParticipationParticipation Late AssignmentsLate Assignments Academic IntegrityAcademic Integrity Learning Teams and RolesLearning Teams and Roles WikipediaWikipedia LaptopsLaptops

First PaperFirst Paper

Share your paper on—Critical Share your paper on—Critical Thinking ApplicationThinking Application Provide an example from your personal Provide an example from your personal

experience.experience.

Notable QuotesNotable Quotes

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

Henry FordHenry Ford

At a certain age some people’s minds At a certain age some people’s minds close up. They live on their close up. They live on their intellectual fat.intellectual fat.

William Lyon PhelpsWilliam Lyon Phelps

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.

Thinking Critically Means…Thinking Critically Means…

Examining different viewpoints Examining different viewpoints Learn to think from different Learn to think from different

perspectives.perspectives. View those opinions which differ from View those opinions which differ from

yours.yours. Examine the assumptions, metaphors, Examine the assumptions, metaphors,

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

Avoid automatic responses.Avoid automatic responses.

General Working Definition of General Working Definition of Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking

A process that evaluates ideas A process that evaluates ideas through the testing of statements through the testing of statements (accuracy) and the soundness of (accuracy) and the soundness of reasoning behind them.reasoning behind them.

Is this a good recommendation or not and if not why?

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question Why is critical thinking important?Why is critical thinking important? Is there a difference between Is there a difference between

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

differently?differently? How do we prepare ourselves to new How do we prepare ourselves to new

patterns of thought?patterns of thought?

Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking Someone with Critical Thinking skills Someone with Critical Thinking skills

is able to:is able to: Understand the logical connections Understand the logical connections

between ideas.between ideas. Detect inconsistencies and common Detect inconsistencies and common

mistakes in reasoning.mistakes in reasoning. Solve problems systematically.Solve problems systematically. Reflect on the justification of one’s own Reflect on the justification of one’s own

beliefs and values.beliefs and values.

Thoughts to PonderThoughts to Ponder

Education means development of the mind Education means development of the mind from within so it will help one to take from within so it will help one to take problems apart and put them to work problems apart and put them to work based upon sound judgment. based upon sound judgment.

What if you choose to read no new books What if you choose to read no new books for the next ten years?for the next ten years? Would your mind be different?Would your mind be different?

Critical Thinking Critical Thinking QuotesQuotes

We can’t solve problems by using the same kind We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.of thinking we used when we created them.

Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein

Discovery is seeing what everybody else has Discovery is seeing what everybody else has seen, and thinking what nobody else has thought.seen, and thinking what nobody else has thought. UnknownUnknown

The human mind once stretched by a new idea The 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

Characteristics of Critical Characteristics of Critical Thinkers: Thinkers:

Strive for understandingStrive for understanding Are honest with themselvesAre honest with themselves Base judgment on evidenceBase judgment on evidence Are interested in other people’s ideasAre interested in other people’s ideas Control their feelings/emotionsControl their feelings/emotions Recognize that extreme views are Recognize that extreme views are

seldom correct.seldom correct.

Characteristics of Critical Characteristics of Critical ThinkersThinkers

Keep an open mindKeep an open mind They are very observantThey are very observant Identify key issues and raise Identify key issues and raise

questionsquestions Obtain relevant factsObtain relevant facts Evaluate the findings and form Evaluate the findings and form

judgmentsjudgments

What does the absence of What does the absence of critical thinking look like?critical thinking look like?

We blindly accept at face value all We blindly accept at face value all

justifications given by organizations justifications given by organizations

and political leaders.and political leaders. We blindly believe TV commercials.We blindly believe TV commercials. We blindly continue to hold on to old We blindly continue to hold on to old

beliefs.beliefs.

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

Do you agree or disagree with the Do you agree or disagree with the following statement and why?following statement and why?

Not only do we tend to think about the Not only do we tend to think about the world according to what we want to world according to what we want to see and what we need to see, we tend see and what we need to see, we tend to think of it in terms of what we to think of it in terms of what we expect to see.expect to see.

Follow-up DiscussionFollow-up Discussion

Are we reluctant to change our Are we reluctant to change our perceptions and ideas to perceptions and ideas to accommodate the facts, or is it easier accommodate the facts, or is it easier to maintain the status quo based upon to maintain the status quo based upon our prior experiences?our prior experiences?

Do stereotypes effect our thinking?Do stereotypes effect our thinking?

Should You Believe Should You Believe Everything You See?Everything You See?

Perception is learned from both our Perception is learned from both our own experience and through own experience and through interaction with others.interaction with others.

Is perception reality?Is perception reality?

PerceptionPerception

We often see and hear what we want to We often see and hear what we want to see and hear, based upon our past see and hear, based upon our past experiences, interests, motives, experiences, interests, motives, expectations; to stay within our comfort expectations; to stay within our comfort zone.zone.

Young girl? Or old women?

Man playing horn? Or a women’s silhouette?

A face of a native American? Or an Eskimo’s back?

Terms of Critical ThinkingTerms of Critical Thinking

AmbiguityAmbiguity AssumptionsAssumptions ValuesValues EmotionsEmotions LanguageLanguage ArgumentArgument FallacyFallacy Thinking BarriersThinking Barriers

AmbiguityAmbiguityAmbiguityAmbiguity – the existence of multiple – the existence of multiple

possible 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. Abstract – less and less specific of a Abstract – less and less specific of a

definition.definition. Arguments can have different Arguments can have different

meanings… anti-war vs. support our meanings… anti-war vs. support our troopstroops

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

Hints for Dealing with Hints for Dealing with AmbiguityAmbiguity

Try to understand the meaning of the Try to understand the meaning of the ambiguous terms.ambiguous terms.

Try to understand the context.Try to understand the context. Ask what the author means.Ask what the author means. Be aware of the emotional impact of certain Be aware of the emotional impact of certain

words.words. Ask the speaker to rephrase.Ask the speaker to rephrase. Rephrase your understanding of what they Rephrase your understanding of what they

said in your response. “Do you mean…” “I said in your response. “Do you mean…” “I understood your comment to mean…”understood your comment to mean…”

AssumptionsAssumptions

Unstated beliefs that support specific Unstated beliefs that support specific reasoning.reasoning.

Something taken to be true without Something taken to be true without proof or demonstration. proof or demonstration. Webster’s DictionaryWebster’s Dictionary

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 Influential in determining the

conclusionconclusion Sometimes necessary, if the Sometimes necessary, if the

reasoning is to make sense. reasoning is to make sense. Potentially deceptive.Potentially deceptive.

Tips for Locating Tips for Locating Assumptions:Assumptions:

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

Identify with the author or speaker, walk in Identify with the author or speaker, walk in

their shoes, understand their roletheir shoes, understand their role

Play devil’s advocate or role-reversalPlay devil’s advocate or role-reversal

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

ValuesValues Importance of certain ideas or Importance of certain ideas or

beliefs.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 Provide standards of conduct by

which we measure quality of human which we measure quality of human

behavior.behavior.

EmotionEmotion ““Leave emotion out of it!” is Leave emotion out of it!” is

impossible.impossible. Part of everything we do and thinkPart of everything we do and think Critical thinkers don’t ignore or deny Critical thinkers don’t ignore or deny

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

Do we make sound decision in a highly Do we make sound decision in a highly charged emotional state?charged emotional state?

EMOTIONSEMOTIONS Recognize feelingsRecognize feelings

Respect those that Respect those that are the result of are the result of careful thought careful thought and reflectionand reflection

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 The limits of my language are the

limits of my life to this point.limits of my life to this point.

LanguageLanguage

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

LanguageLanguage• How is language used in decision How is language used in decision

making?making? To informTo inform To explainTo explain To persuadeTo persuade

LanguageLanguage• Words can have two kinds of Words can have two kinds of

meaning:meaning: DenotativeDenotative ConnotativeConnotative

• What does each mean?What does each mean?

LanguageLanguage

• Denotative:Denotative:Dictionary meaningDictionary meaning

LanguageLanguage

• DenotativeDenotative:: Dictionary meaning:Dictionary meaning:

What is an apple?What is an apple?The firm, edible, usually rounded The firm, edible, usually rounded fruit of this tree. fruit of this tree.

LanguageLanguage

• ConnotativeConnotative:: Overtones or suggestions beyond Overtones or suggestions beyond

the dictionary meanings.the dictionary meanings. What do you think of when you What do you think of when you

hear the word apple?hear the word apple?

LanguageLanguage

• Food, Pie, Macintosh, a computer, Food, Pie, Macintosh, a computer, Adam & Eve, keeps the doctor away, Adam & Eve, keeps the doctor away, applesauce, an orchard, etc.applesauce, an orchard, etc.

ArgumentArgument A claim used to persuade others as A claim used to persuade others as

to whether something is true or false to whether something is true or false or if something should or should not or if something should or should not be done.be done. Consists of:Consists of:

IssueIssue One or more reasonsOne or more reasons ConclusionConclusion

FallacyFallacy An incorrect pattern of reasoningAn incorrect pattern of reasoning

Many fallacy’s existMany fallacy’s exist Example:Example:

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

A statement or argument based upon A statement or argument based upon a false or invalid conclusion. a false or invalid conclusion. Webster’s Webster’s DictionaryDictionary

Thinking BarriersThinking Barriers

EmotionsEmotionsAngerAngerPassionPassionDepressionDepression

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

Personal Barriers to thinking Personal Barriers to thinking (Ego Defenses)(Ego Defenses)

DenialDenial Refuse to accept reality.Refuse to accept reality.

ProjectionProjection We see in others what is really We see in others what is really

happening to us.happening to us. RationalizationRationalization

Lying to ourselves about the real Lying to ourselves about the real reasons for our behaviors and feelings.reasons for our behaviors and feelings.

Thinking ErrorsThinking Errors PersonalizationPersonalization

Thinking in which the world revolves Thinking in which the world revolves around an individualaround an individual

Polarized ThinkingPolarized Thinking There is only black or white – no There is only black or white – no

graygray CatastrophizingCatastrophizing

Always consider the worst possible Always consider the worst possible outcome (all the time)outcome (all the time)

Thinking Errors Thinking Errors (Continued)(Continued)

Selective abstractionSelective abstraction Focusing on one detail of a Focusing on one detail of a

situation and ignoring the larger situation and ignoring the larger picturepicture

OvergeneralizationOvergeneralization Drawing broad conclusions on the Drawing broad conclusions on the

basis of a single incident.basis of a single incident.

Five Phases of Critical Five Phases of Critical ThinkingThinking

Phase 1: Trigger EventPhase 1: Trigger Event Usually an unexpected event that causes Usually an unexpected event that causes

some kind of inner discomfort or some kind of inner discomfort or confusion.confusion.

Phase 2: AppraisalPhase 2: Appraisal A period of reflection and the need to find A period of reflection and the need to find

another approach to deal with the issue.another approach to deal with the issue. Phase 3: ExplorationPhase 3: Exploration

People start asking questions and People start asking questions and gathering more information.gathering more information.

Five Phases of Critical Five Phases of Critical ThinkingThinking

Phase 4: Finding AlternativesPhase 4: Finding Alternatives Also called the transition stage when old Also called the transition stage when old

ideas are either left behind and a new ideas are either left behind and a new

way of thinking begins.way of thinking begins.

Phase 5: IntegrationPhase 5: Integration Involves fitting new ideas and Involves fitting new ideas and

information into everyday usage. information into everyday usage.

Key Questions to Critical Key Questions to Critical ThinkingThinking

What are the issues and the expected What are the issues and the expected conclusions?conclusions?

What are the reasons?What are the reasons? What words or phrases are What words or phrases are

ambiguous?ambiguous? What are the value conflicts and What are the value conflicts and

assumptions?assumptions? What are the assumptions?What are the assumptions?

Key Questions to Critical Key Questions to Critical ThinkingThinking

Are 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 What reasonable conclusions are

possible?possible?

Critical thinking involves evaluating Critical thinking involves evaluating information or arguments in terms of information or arguments in terms of

their accuracy and worththeir accuracy and worth

Verbal ReasoningVerbal Reasoning Understanding and evaluating the Understanding and evaluating the

persuasive techniques found in oral and persuasive techniques found in oral and written languagewritten language

Argument AnalysisArgument Analysis Discriminating between reasons that do Discriminating between reasons that do

and do not support a particular conclusionand do not support a particular conclusion

Critical thinking involves evaluating Critical thinking involves evaluating information or arguments in terms of information or arguments in terms of

their accuracy and worththeir accuracy and worth

Decision MakingDecision Making identifying and judging several alternatives identifying and judging several alternatives

and selecting the best alternativeand selecting the best alternative Critical Analysis of Prior ResearchCritical Analysis of Prior Research

evaluating the value of data and research evaluating the value of data and research results in terms of the methods used to obtain results in terms of the methods used to obtain them and their potential relevance to particular them and their potential relevance to particular conclusions.conclusions.

Problem Solving ProcedureProblem Solving Procedure

Define the problem (not the symptom)Define the problem (not the symptom) Remove thinking barriers (bias and Remove thinking barriers (bias and

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

creative thinking)creative thinking) Select a solution (pro’s and con’s) and Select a solution (pro’s and con’s) and

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

Characteristics of Critical Characteristics of Critical Thinking & Decision MakingThinking & Decision Making

University of Phoenix ModelUniversity of Phoenix Model Framing the question Framing the question Making the decision Making the decision Evaluating the decision Evaluating the decision

University of Phoenix ModelUniversity of Phoenix Model

Learning Team AssignmentLearning Team Assignment

Prepare a 1050 to 1400 word paper Prepare a 1050 to 1400 word paper in which you analyze at least three in which you analyze at least three different types of thinking styles.different types of thinking styles.

Compare and contrast and comment Compare and contrast and comment on how each affects the critical-on how each affects the critical-thinking process.thinking process.

Apply Critical Thinking to a Apply Critical Thinking to a workplace example.workplace example.