What is critical

thinking?
Critical thinking is the ability to collect and analyze information to come to a
conclusion. Being able to think critically is important in virtually every industry and
applicable across a wide range of positions. That’s because critical thinking isn’t
subject-specific—rather, it’s your ability to parse through information, data, statistics,
and other details in order to identify a satisfactory solution.

Definitions of critical thinking

Various scholars have provided definitions of critical thinking, each emphasizing
different aspects of this complex cognitive process:
 Michael Scriven, an American philosopher, defines critical thinking as "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."
 Robert Ennis, professor emeritus at the University of Illinois, describes critical
thinking as "reasonable, reflective thinking focused on deciding what to believe or
do."
 Diane Halpern, a cognitive psychologist and former president of the American
Psychological Association, defines it as "the use of cognitive skills or strategies that
increase the probability of a desirable outcome."
Developing your critical thinking skills improves your problem solving skills, boosts
your data-driven decision making ability, and gives you a methodology to tackle
complex problems. Good critical thinkers are comfortable with ambiguity and are
willing to challenge their hypotheses in order to come to the best conclusions.
 Top 8 critical thinking skills
Critical thinking is essential for success in everyday life, higher education, and
professional settings. The handbook "Foundation for Critical Thinking" defines it as
a process of conceptualization, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of information.
In no particular order, here are eight key critical thinking abilities that can help you
excel in any situation:

1. Analytical thinking
Analytical thinking involves evaluating data from multiple sources in order to come
to the best conclusions. Analytical thinking allows people to reject cognitive biases
and strive to gather and analyze intricate subject matter while solving complex
problems. Analytical thinkers who thrive at critical thinking can:
 Identify patterns and trends in the data
 Break down complex issues into manageable components
 Recognize cause-and-effect relationships
 Evaluate the strength of arguments and evidence
Example: A data analyst breaks down complex sales figures to identify trends and
patterns that inform the company's marketing strategy.

2. Open-mindedness
Open-mindedness is the willingness to consider new ideas, arguments, and
information without prejudice. This critical thinking skill helps you analyze and
process information to come to an unbiased conclusion. Part of the critical thinking
process is letting your personal biases go, taking information at face value and
coming to a conclusion based on multiple points of view .
Open-minded critical thinkers demonstrate:
 Willingness to consider alternative viewpoints
 Ability to suspend judgment until sufficient evidence is gathered
 Receptiveness to constructive criticism and feedback
 Flexibility in updating beliefs based on new information
Example: During a product development meeting, a team leader actively considers
unconventional ideas from junior members, leading to an innovative solution.
 3. Problem-solving
Effective problem solving is a cornerstone of critical thinking. It requires the ability to
identify issues, generate possible solutions, evaluate alternatives, and implement
the best course of action. This critical thinking skill is particularly valuable in fields
like project management and entrepreneurship.
Key aspects of problem-solving include:
 Clearly defining the problem
 Gathering relevant information
 Brainstorming potential solutions
 Evaluating the pros and cons of each option
 Implementing and monitoring the chosen solution
 Reflecting on the outcome and adjusting as necessary
Example: A high school principal uses problem-solving skills to address declining
student engagement by surveying learners, consulting with higher education experts,
and implementing a new curriculum that balances academic rigor with practical,
real-world applications.

4. Reasoned judgment
Reasoned judgment is a key component of higher order thinking that involves
making thoughtful decisions based on logical analysis of evidence and thorough
consideration of alternatives. This critical thinking skill is important in both academic
and professional settings. Key aspects reasoned judgment include:
 Objectively gathering and analyzing information
 Evaluating the credibility and relevance of evidence
 Considering multiple perspectives before drawing conclusions
 Making decisions based on logical inference and sound reasoning
Example: A high school science teacher uses reasoned judgment to design an
experiment, carefully observing and analyzing results before drawing conclusions
about the hypothesis.

5. Reflective thinking
Reflective thinking is the process of analyzing one's own thought processes, actions,
and outcomes to gain deeper understanding and improve future performance. Good
critical thinking requires analyzing and synthesizing information to form a coherent
 understanding of a problem. It's an essential critical thinking skill for continuous
learning and improvement.
Key aspects of reflective thinking include:
 Critically examining one's own assumptions and cognitive biases
 Considering diverse viewpoints and perspectives
 Synthesizing information from various experiences and sources
 Applying insights to improve future decision-making and actions
 Continuously evaluating and adjusting one's thinking processes
Example: A community organizer reflects on the outcomes of a recent public event,
considering what worked well and what could be improved for future initiatives.

6. Communication
Strong communication skills help critical thinkers articulate ideas clearly and
persuasively. Communication in the workplace is crucial for effective teamwork,
leadership, and knowledge dissemination. Key aspects of communication in critical
thinking include:
 Clearly expressing complex ideas
 Active listening and comprehension
 Adapting communication styles to different audiences
 Constructing and delivering persuasive arguments
Example: A manager effectively explains a new company policy to her team,
addressing their concerns and ensuring everyone understands its implications.

7. Research
Critical thinkers with strong research skills gather, evaluate, and synthesize
information from various sources of information. This is particularly important in
academic settings and in professional fields that require continuous learning.
Effective research involves:
 Identifying reliable and relevant sources of information
 Evaluating the credibility and bias of sources
 Synthesizing information from multiple sources
 Recognizing gaps in existing knowledge
Example: A journalist verifies information from multiple credible sources before
publishing an article on a controversial topic.
 8. Decision-making
Effective decision making is the culmination of various critical thinking skills that
allow an individual to draw logical conclusions and generalizations. It involves
weighing options, considering consequences, and choosing the best course of
action. Key aspects of decision-making include:
 Defining clear criteria for evaluation
 Gathering and analyzing relevant information
 Considering short-term and long-term consequences
 Managing uncertainty and risk
 Balancing logic and intuition
Example: A homeowner weighs the costs, benefits, and long-term implications
before deciding to invest in solar panels for their house.

7 steps to improve
critical thinking
Critical thinking is a skill that you can build by following these seven steps. The
seven steps to critical thinking help you ensure you’re approaching a problem from
the right angle, considering every alternative, and coming to an unbiased conclusion.

First things first: When to use the 7

step critical thinking process
There’s a lot that goes into the full critical thinking process, and not every decision
needs to be this thought out. Sometimes, it’s enough to put aside bias and approach
a process logically. In other, more complex cases, the best way to identify the ideal
outcome is to go through the entire critical thinking process.
The seven-step critical thinking process is useful for complex decisions in areas you
are less familiar with. Alternatively, the seven critical thinking steps can help you
look at a problem you’re familiar with from a different angle, without any bias.
If you need to make a less complex decision, consider another problem solving
strategy instead. Decision matrices are a great way to identify the best option
between different choices.
 1. Identify the problem or question
Before you put those critical thinking skills to work, you first need to identify the
problem you’re solving. This step includes taking a look at the problem from a few
different perspectives and asking questions like:
 What’s happening?
 Why is this happening?
 What assumptions am I making?
 At first glance, how do I think we can solve this problem?
A big part of developing your critical thinking skills is learning how to come to
unbiased conclusions. In order to do that, you first need to acknowledge the biases
that you currently have. Does someone on your team think they know the answer?
Are you making assumptions that aren’t necessarily true? Identifying these details
helps you later on in the process.

2. Gather relevant information

At this point, you likely have a general idea of the problem—but in order to come up
with the best solution, you need to dig deeper.
During the research process, collect information relating to the problem, including
data, statistics, historical project information, team input, and more. Make sure you
gather information from a variety of sources, especially if those sources go against
your personal ideas about what the problem is or how to solve it.
Gathering varied information is essential for your ability to apply the critical thinking
process. If you don’t get enough information, your ability to make a final decision
will be skewed. Remember that critical thinking is about helping you identify the
objective best conclusion. You aren’t going with your gut—you’re doing research to
find the best option

3. Analyze and evaluate data

Just as it’s important to gather a variety of information, it is also important to
determine how relevant the different information sources are. After all, just because
there is data doesn’t mean it’s relevant.
Once you’ve gathered all of the information, sift through the noise and identify what
information is relevant and what information isn’t. Synthesizing all of this information
and establishing significance helps you weigh different data sources and come to
the best conclusion later on in the critical thinking process.
 To determine data relevance, ask yourself:
 How reliable is this information?
 How significant is this information?
 Is this information outdated? Is it specialized in a specific field?

4. Consider alternative points of

view
One of the most useful parts of the critical thinking process is coming to a decision
without bias. In order to do so, you need to take a step back from the process and
challenge the assumptions you’re making.
We all have bias—and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Unconscious biases (also
known as cognitive biases) often serve as mental shortcuts to simplify problem
solving and aid decision making. But even when biases aren’t inherently bad, you
must be aware of your biases in order to put them aside when necessary.
Before coming to a solution, ask yourself:
 Am I making any assumptions about this information?
 Are there additional variables I haven’t considered?
 Have I evaluated the information from every perspective?
 Are there any viewpoints I missed?

5. Draw logical conclusions

Finally, you’re ready to come to a conclusion. To identify the best solution, draw
connections between causes and effects. Use the facts you’ve gathered to evaluate
the most objective conclusion.
Keep in mind that there may be more than one solution. Often, the problems you’re
facing are complex and intricate. The critical thinking process doesn’t necessarily
lead to a cut-and-dry solution—instead, the process helps you understand the
different variables at play so you can make an informed decision.

6. Develop and communication

solutions
Communication is a key skill for critical thinkers. It isn’t enough to think for
yourself—you also need to share your conclusion with other project stakeholders. If
there are multiple solutions, present them all. There may be a case where you
implement one solution, then test to see if it works before implementing another
solution.
This process of communicating and sharing ideas is key in promoting critical
thinking within a team or organization. By encouraging open dialogue and
collaborative problem-solving, you create an environment that fosters the
development of critical thinking skills in others.

7. Reflect and learn from the

process
The seven-step critical thinking process yields a result—and you then need to put
that solution into place. After you’ve implemented your decision, evaluate whether
or not it was effective. Did it solve the initial problem? What lessons—whether
positive or negative—can you learn from this experience to improve your critical
thinking for next time?
By engaging in this metacognitive reflective thinking process, you're essentially
teaching critical thinking to yourself, refining your methodology with each iteration.
This reflective practice is fundamental in developing a more robust and adaptable
approach to problem-solving.
Depending on how your team shares information, consider documenting lessons
learned in a central source of truth. That way, team members that are making similar
or related decisions in the future can understand why you made the decision you
made and what the outcome was.