Critical Thinking Skills and How They Can Be Learned: Understanding the Building Blocks of Critical Thinking

Critical thinking skills come naturally to some people, but not to every student. Often learning critical thinking skills is necessary in order to succeed academically. How does one learn them?

First, what are the benefits of learning critical thinking skills? Why are they so important?

“Critical thinking skills enable people to evaluate, compare, analyse, critique and synthesize information.”

In the academic world, as well as the rest of the world, there are numerous critical thinkers, but many of them appear to have closed minds. They are seldom open to new thoughts, ideas or theories. In fact, many students, as well as others, believe critical thinking implies only adverse or negative criticism. Some feel that they know everything and it is all in a negative critical light. Theirs is the final word, on whatever.

The reason a student needs to learn critical thinking skills has to do with a transition of his or her attitude towards more appropriate, critical thinking. In other words, a change in attitude may be necessary for a student to be open to learn other things. Learning new, critical thinking skills is vital in order to get beyond the basic apprehension, fears and antagonistic, pessimistic negativity that is part of a closed mind set.

Critical thinking requires ongoing, proactive, well-motivated thought processes that lead towards the discovery of truth and reality.     

“Critical thinking is based upon reflective thinking that is focused on interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating information, arguments and experiences with a set of reflective attitudes, skills and abilities to guide thoughts, beliefs and actions.” (Ruggiero, 1989) 

How to learn critical thinking skills may differ from one person to another. For some, critical thinking comes easily. It is as if there is immediate openness, understanding and understanding with respect to new thoughts and ideas.  

For example, a new theory in a science course totally refutes a previous one. One student understands the theory and accepts it, while the rest of the class demonstrates a pessimistic attitude. To them, it is impossible.  

The student demonstrating true, critical thinking skills has spent time reflecting upon the new theory. He or she has interpreted it initially in accordance with his or her analysis of previous data. This appears to refute the new theory, but he or she suggests that there seems to be a missing link.

Further research carried out on the Internet, using current information, leads the student to suspect that the original theory is incorrect. The student’s final analysis and evaluation reveals not only the likelihood of the validity of the new theory, but confirms it, beyond the shadow of a doubt.           

Note that the most important aspects of critical thinking involve reflection, research, analysis and evaluation. Initially, there may be a questionable building block rendering the entire theory suspect. When subjected to inquiry, it may be proven or dis-proven.

Perhaps the key to true critical thinking lies in a student’s ability to question. Finding a suitable question may lead to an appropriate solution to the critical thinking dilemma. Students with questions seek answers and often find them, much to the amazement of other, negative critical thinkers.