General Education Capstone – Week 4 Assignment: How Influenc
General Education Capstone – Week 4 Assignment How Influencers Shape Your Individuality
Refer to the concepts in Chapter 4 of Becoming a Critical Thinker. For this assignment, you will write a 3-5 page essay with a focus on your influencers. As we grow and mature, and travel through life, we meet others who influence us along the way. These influencers shape our individuality. They help to make us who we are.
Additionally, reflect on the Four Empowering Attitudes in your essay. Make a list of three or four people who have influenced you. Explain the specific effect of their influence. (For example: My mother told me not to take candy from strangers. Her warnings caused me to be wary of meeting or paying attention to strangers.) Provide some less obvious influences, too. Indicate how each of these people has affected your individuality (based on Chapter 4 in Becoming a Critical Thinker).
Be sure to include the Four Empowering Attitudes in your essay. Address each one of these and provide your thoughts.
Paper For Above instruction
Influences play a pivotal role in shaping our sense of self and guiding our behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes. Throughout life, various individuals—some obvious and others less apparent—contribute significantly to our development of individuality. Drawing upon concepts from Chapter 4 of Becoming a Critical Thinker, this essay explores the influences that have impacted me, how they have affected my sense of self, and how the Four Empowering Attitudes bolster my capacity for critical thinking and personal growth.
Key Influencers and Their Impact
The first influential person in my life is my mother. Her guidance and moral principles, such as advising me not to accept gifts from strangers, instilled in me a cautious attitude in unfamiliar situations. Her influence fostered an awareness of personal safety and the importance of trustworthiness, which continues to underpin my interactions today. This example illustrates a direct effect of influence shaping my judgment and caution—key aspects of my individuality conceived through her teachings.
A less obvious influence was my high school art teacher, Mr. Smith. His encouragement to think creatively and challenge conventional perspectives awakened my curiosity and nurtured my unique voice. His influence encouraged me to embrace originality, fostering confidence in my individuality and opening pathways to express myself authentically.
Another influential figure is my friend, Lisa, who embodies resilience and emotional intelligence. Her ability to navigate adversity with compassion and strength has inspired me to develop greater empathy and resilience myself. Her influence reveals how personal qualities observed in others can shape one's emotional development and self-awareness.
The fourth influence comes from a mentor at work, Mr. Johnson, who emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning and adaptability. His perspective has motivated me to seek continuous growth, reinforcing the idea that personal development is ongoing and dynamic—an essential aspect of my evolving individuality.
The Four Empowering Attitudes
In my journey toward self-awareness and critical thinking, the Four Empowering Attitudes—self-awareness, self-responsibility, openness to continuous learning, and resilience—are fundamental. Each attitude supports my development by fostering reflective thinking and adaptive behavior.
Self-awareness encourages me to recognize my strengths, weaknesses, and biases. This attitude helps me critically evaluate my beliefs and actions, ensuring they align with my values and promote personal growth. For example, understanding my tendency to rush decisions has led me to adopt more deliberate thought processes.
Self-responsibility emphasizes accountability for my choices. Recognizing that my actions have consequences motivates me to act ethically and thoughtfully, reinforcing my individuality as someone who takes ownership of their life.
Openness to continuous learning allows me to remain receptive to new ideas and perspectives. Influenced by mentors and experiences, this attitude keeps me adaptable and curious, integral to evolving as an individual.
Resilience sustains me through setbacks and challenges. Observing resilience in individuals like Lisa has demonstrated how perseverance and emotional strength are vital to maintaining a healthy sense of identity and moving forward in personal development.
Together, these Four Attitudes form a critical framework that empowers me to develop a reflective, responsible, adaptable, and resilient approach to life, ultimately shaping my unique individuality.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the influences in our lives—whether family, teachers, friends, or mentors—are instrumental in shaping our individuality. Recognizing their impact, along with cultivating the Four Empowering Attitudes, fosters critical self-awareness and personal growth. By understanding how these influences interact with our attitudes, we can better navigate our development as confident, conscious, and unique individuals.
References
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- Facione, P. A. (2015). The critical thinking movement: An overview. Critical Thinking Community. Retrieved from https://www.criticalthinking.org
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- King, P., & Kitchener, K. (2004). Reflective judgment: How making decisions can develop into a moral pursuit. Advances in Developing Human Resources.
- Mezirow, J. (2000). Learning as transformation: Critical perspectives on a theory in progress. Jossey-Bass.
- Raths, J. D., Harmin, M., & Simon, S. B. (2001). Values and teaching: A handbook of core issues and practices. Corwin Press.
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- Dewey, J. (1933). How we think: A restatement of the relation of reflective thinking to the educative process. D.C. Heath.
- Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191-215.
- Johnson, M. (2007). The meaning of resilience: Understanding how individuals cope with adversity. Journal of Counseling & Development, 85(4), 472-480.