Critical Thinking

Definition
Critical thinking is that mode of thinking - about any subject, content, or problem - in which the thinker
improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully taking charge of the structures inherent in
thinking and imposing intellectual standards upon them.

Critical thinking is the ability to think in an organized and rational manner in order to understand
connections between ideas and/or facts. It helps you decide what to believe in. In other words, it’s
“thinking about thinking”—identifying, analyzing, and then fixing flaws in the way we think.

 "Disciplined thinking that is clear, rational, open-minded, and informed by evidence" [16]

1.
According to Ennis, "Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and
skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information
gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or
communication, as a guide to belief and action." [27] This definition Ennis provided is highly
agreed by Harvey Siegel,[28] Peter Facione,[23] and Deanna Kuhn.[29]

The Result

A well cultivated critical thinker:

 raises vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely;

 gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it
effectively comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant
criteria and standards;
 thinks open mindedly within alternative systems of thought, recognizing and assessing, as
need be, their assumptions, implications, and practical consequences; and communicates
effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex [Link] thinking is, in short,
self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It presupposes assent
to rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective
communication and problem solving abilities and a commitment to overcome our native
egocentrism and sociocentrism.  

How to Be a Critical Thinker?

 
To become one takes time, practice, and patience. But something you can start doing today to
improve your critical thinking skills is apply the 7 steps of critical thinking to every problem you tackle
—either at work or in your everyday life.

Steps of Critical Thinking

 
1. Identify the problem or question.
Be as precise as possible: the narrower the issue, the easier it is to find solutions or answers.
 
2. Gather data, opinions, and arguments.
Try to find several sources that present different ideas and points of view.
 
3. Analyze and evaluate the data.
Are the sources reliable? Are their conclusions data-backed or just argumentative? Is there enough
information or data to support given hypotheses?
 
4. Identify assumptions.
Are you sure the sources you found are unbiased? Are you sure you weren’t biased in your search for
answers?
 
5. Establish significance.
What piece of information is most important? Is the sample size sufficient? Are all opinions and
arguments even relevant to the problem you’re trying to solve?
 
6. Make a decision/reach a conclusion.
Identify various conclusions that are possible and decide which (if any) of them are sufficiently
supported. Weigh strengths and limitations of all possible options.
 
7. Present or communicate.
Once you’ve reached a conclusion, present it to all stakeholders.
 
Top Critical Thinking Skills: Examples
 
 Analysis: the ability to collect and process information and knowledge.
 Interpretation: concluding what the meaning of processed information is.
 Inference: assessing whether the knowledge you have is sufficient and reliable.
 Evaluation: the ability to make decisions based on the available information.
 Explanation: communicating your findings and reasoning clearly.
 Self-Regulation: the drive to constantly monitor and correct your ways of thinking.
 Open-Mindedness: taking into account other possibilities and points of view.
 Problem-Solving: the ability to tackle unexpected problems and resolve conflicts.

How to think critically

Here are steps you might take when using critical thinking for problem-solving at work:
1. Identify a problem or issue.
2. Create inferences on why the problem exists and how it can be solved.
3. Collect information or data on the issue through research.
4. Organize and sort data and findings.
5. Develop and execute solutions.
6. Analyze which solutions worked or didn’t work.
7. Identify ways to improve the solution.

Being objective is a fundamental part of critical thinking. That means analyzing the problem without
allowing personal bias, emotions or assumptions to influence how you think. A strong critical thinker
will only analyze a problem based on the context and facts collected after conducting thorough and
impartial research.

Why critical thinking is important

Critical thinking skills are essential in every industry at every career level, from entry-level associates
to top executives. Good critical thinkers can work both independently and with others to solve
problems.

Issues such as process inefficiencies, management or finances can be improved by using critical
thought. Because of this, employers value and seek out candidates who demonstrate strong critical
thinking skills.

What’s the Importance of Critical Thinking in the Workplace?

5 critical thinking skills

Here are five common and impactful critical thinking skills you might consider highlighting on your
resume or in an interview:
1. Observation

Observational skills are the starting point for critical thinking. People who are observant can quickly
sense and identify a new problem. Those skilled in observation are also capable of understanding
why something might be a problem. They may even be able to predict when a problem might occur
before it happens based on their experiences.

Improve your observation skills by slowing down your pace of processing information and training
yourself to pay closer attention to your surroundings. You might
practice mindfulness techniques, journaling or actively listening during and outside of work to
thoroughly examine what you’re hearing or seeing. Then, consider if you notice trends in behavior,
transactions or data that might be helpful for your team to address.

Related: Inductive Reasoning: Definition and How To Use It

2. Analysis

Once a problem has been identified, analytical skills become essential. The ability to analyze and
effectively evaluate a situation involves knowing what facts, data or information about the problem are
important. This also often includes gathering unbiased research, asking relevant questions about the
data to ensure it’s accurate and assessing the findings objectively.

Improve your analytical skills by taking on new experiences. For example, you might read a book
about a concept you’re unfamiliar with or take an online math class to push yourself to think in new
ways and consider new ideas. Doing so can help you build the skills to interpret new information and
make rational decisions based on sound analysis.

Read more: Analytical Skills: Definitions and Examples

3. Inference

Inference is a skill that involves drawing conclusions about the information you collect and may
require you to possess technical or industry-specific knowledge or experience. When you make an
inference, that means you are developing answers based on limited information. For example, a car
mechanic may need to infer what is causing a car’s engine to stall at seemingly random times based
on the information available to them.

Improve your inference skills by placing focus on making educated guesses rather than quickly
drawing conclusions. This requires slowing down to carefully look for and consider as many clues as
possible—such as images, data or reports—that might help you evaluate a situation.

Related: Deductive Reasoning: Definition and Examples

4. Communication

Communication skills are important when it comes time to explain and discuss issues and their
possible solutions with colleagues and other stakeholders.
Improve your communication skills within the context of critical thinking by engaging in difficult
discussions, for example, in situations when you and another participant may disagree about the
topic. Maintain good communication habits, such as active listening and respect, to understand other
points of view and to be able to explain your ideas in a calm, rational manner. Doing so can help you
evaluate solutions more effectively with your colleagues.

Read more: Communication Skills: Definitions and Examples

5. Problem-solving

After you’ve identified and analyzed a problem and chosen a solution, the final step is to execute your
solution.
Problem-solving often requires critical thinking to implement the best solution and understand
whether or not the solution is working as it relates to the goal.

Improve your problem-solving skills by setting goals to acquire more industry knowledge within
your field. Problem-solving at work typically becomes easier if you have a strong understanding of
industry-specific information. It can also be helpful to observe how others around you solve problems
at work. Take note of their techniques and ask questions about their process.

More critical thinking skills

While the five skills listed above are essential to successful critical thinking, there are several soft
skills that relate to thoughtful analysis. Here are some other skills to consider when developing your
critical thinking:

 Metacognitive skills
 Inductive reasoning skills
 Creativity skills
 Decision-making skills
 Conceptual thinking skills