Developing critical, creative and productive thinking (CCPT) skills requires an attitudinal shift. It necessitates the courage and willingness to challenge pre-conceived opinions.

In the process of developing enhanced CCPT abilities, a negative introspectiveness may result where one can feel totally isolated from the pack, intimidated and thus left questioning whether it is worth standing outside mainstream to espouse a different opinion on an issue, even if strongly held.

This can certainly be the reality particularly for the secondary and tertiary student who dares to think critically and challenge the views being advanced by a well-respected lecturer especially if he or she is the one who will determine grades at the end of a semester.

Face Value Acceptance

While relying on a handshake, a person’s word, an initial impression, and face value acceptance which still prevail in some human relationship environments, the reality is that these once dependable measures of honesty and integrity can be relied upon less and less.

In today’s society where “money” is everything, where meta-talk is common practice, where reading the fine print is of paramount necessity and where the word “truth” is no longer part of some people’s lexicons, one must be willing to challenge and question what is being contended or proposed.

In almost every aspect of daily activity and existence today, individuals are constantly required to think critically about information received and circumstances with which they are confronted. Holding the title “boss” or “teacher” is no longer enough to engender that necessary team spirit in a workplace or maintain discipline in a classroom. Those in positions of authority and decision-making require effective human behavior skills and to be a critical thinker who is able to effectively and correctly diagnose and evaluate situations and individuals.

Through repeated, negative experiences people have learned not to believe everything they hear, read or see. This is true, be it in realms of politics, commercial enterprise, media, education, science, medicine, community care, etc. - in fact - no area of living is exempt.

With the changing communication nature of our world through the information technology explosion, making right decisions about issues has become paramount. More and more, because of the complexity and competitiveness of data and detail, vital judgments have to be made, often on a daily basis, that can negatively affect both the decision-maker and others if they are in error. These judgments require critical evaluation of the data and detail to test their reliability, relevance and rationale.

Irrespective of one’s level of responsibility and authority, employees are called upon to make personal decisions that can not only affect life and limb but that can have major negative corporate and even national political implications.

Repeatedly, judgments are required to be made in which individuals have to expeditiously consider alternatives, weigh up risk factors, assess advantages and disadvantages, mentally measure
the worth of a proposal, test claims and counter claims, evaluate assertions, analyze propositions, etc.

To meet these expectations and responsibilities, one must be a critical thinker!