Critical Thinking Involves Identifying And Evaluating

Instructionscritical Thinking Involves Identifying And Evaluating Evid

Critical thinking involves identifying and evaluating evidence to guide thoughts and decision making. The American Psychological Association emphasizes critical thinking in psychology, highlighting it as a major learning outcome for psychology majors. Review Chapter 1, which discusses the LEARN approach to critical thinking. Identify a problem—either personal or observed but not affecting you personally—and apply the LEARN approach to analyze it.

For each step of the problem, provide an example of how you could think critically from that perspective. Share these examples with the class in the discussion forum. Then, answer the following questions: Did you notice any differences in your critical thinking examples between the personal and not personal problem? Which aspect of the LEARN approach do you think you do most? Which do you do least? Is critical thinking useful for all problems? Why or why not? Why does the American Psychological Association emphasize critical thinking for psychology majors?

Your discussion post should be at least 300 words and include at least two citations. One should cite the assigned readings, and the other should be from a peer-reviewed academic source. Web sources will not count as the second source. As a psychologist, your writing should reflect current literature in the field, referencing academic sources such as journal articles, books, or conference papers. Your reflection should be based on and responsive to these sources.

Paper For Above instruction

Critical thinking is a fundamental skill in psychology, essential for analyzing evidence and making informed decisions. The American Psychological Association (APA) underscores the importance of systematic critical thinking, particularly through frameworks like the LEARN approach, which guides individuals in examining problems comprehensively (Facione, 2015). This approach emphasizes six steps: Listen, Examine, Analyze, Reflect, Negotiate, and now Apply, to foster thorough understanding and effective solutions.

To illustrate the application of the LEARN approach, I selected a personal problem—balancing academic responsibilities with personal health. Initially, the Listen step involved attentively understanding the conflict—realizing that neglecting health was impairing my academic performance. During Examine, I gathered evidence like medical reports and academic records to assess the situation objectively. Analyzing this evidence revealed that poor time management contributed significantly to stress and health issues. Reflecting on this information, I recognized the need to prioritize self-care and develop a structured schedule. Negotiating involved considering alternatives, such as reducing course load or incorporating wellness activities into my routine, before applying specific strategies to improve my health and academic balance.

Similarly, I considered a not personal problem—an observed concern about the rising levels of misinformation on social media affecting public health decisions. Using the same steps, I listened to various perspectives, examined credible sources and evidence, analyzed the motives behind misinformation, reflected on its societal impact, and negotiated potential solutions such as promoting media literacy or fact-checking initiatives.

Comparing the two examples, I noticed that critical thinking for personal issues tended to involve more emotional reflection, while for observed problems, it was more analytical and detached. I believe I most frequently engage in the Examine step because I prioritize gathering facts, often at the expense of reflection and negotiation. Conversely, I do least well in the Negotiation phase, as it involves balancing conflicting interests, which I find challenging.

Critical thinking is useful for all problems, whether personal or societal, because it enables rigorous evaluation of evidence and minimization of biases (Halpern, 2014). The APA emphasizes critical thinking in psychology because practitioners must make evidence-based decisions that affect individuals and communities; thus, fostering these skills aligns with the discipline's scientific and ethical commitments (Kuhn, 2017).

In conclusion, applying the LEARN model enhances problem-solving and decision-making, fostering a reflective and evidence-based mindset vital for psychologists. Developing proficiency across all LEARN steps ensures a comprehensive approach to understanding complex issues, which is indispensable in the field of psychology.

References

• Facione, P. A. (2015). Critical thinking: What it is and why it counts. Insight Assessment.
• Halpern, D. F. (2014). Thought and knowledge: An introduction to critical thinking (5th ed.). Psychology Press.
• Kuhn, D. (2017). Education for critical thinking. International Journal of Education & Development, 36, 86-98.
• Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2014). Critical thinking: Tools for taking charge of your learning and your life. Pearson Education.
• Scriven, M., & Paul, R. (1987). Defining critical thinking. Critical thinking: What every person needs to survive in a rapidly changing world, 1-26.
• Facione, P. (2013). Critical thinking: Its definition and assessment. The California Academic Press.
• Lipman, M. (2003). Thinking in education. Cambridge University Press.
• Brookfield, S. D. (2012). Teaching for critical thinking: Tools and techniques to help students question their assumptions. Jossey-Bass.
• Ennis, R. H. (2011). The nature of critical thinking: An editorial perspective. Inquiry: Critical Thinking Across the Disciplines, 26(1), 4-15.
• Moore, B. N., & Parker, R. (2012). Critical thinking. McGraw-Hill Education.