Week 2 Barriers To Critical Thinking Help: The First Part Of
Week 2 Barriers To Critical Thinking Helpthe First Part Of This Assign
The first part of this assignment requires you to discuss two barriers to your critical thinking, using the barriers as described in the text. For each barrier, you need to describe the barrier and then identify what you can do to overcome it. You need at least 200 words for each barrier, including how you will overcome it. Responses shorter than 200 words may receive reduced credit. The second part of your assignment involves writing mechanics, where I will grade based on the number of mistakes per 100 words (0.5 points). I will calculate the mistakes per 100 words and divide by 20 to determine the deduction, with a maximum deduction of 0.5 points. Additionally, I will grade citations and references (0.5 points). Full credit is awarded if both are included when quoting material; no points are awarded if either is missing. Use quotation marks to clearly identify quoted material and do not paraphrase. Proper formatting and grammar are critical, and large sections of copied or paraphrased text will be considered academic dishonesty, which could result in severe penalties.
Paper For Above instruction
Critical thinking is an essential skill that involves analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing information to make reasoned judgments. However, several barriers can impede the development and practice of critical thinking. Among these barriers, two significant obstacles are confirmation bias and emotional reasoning. These barriers consistently hinder objective analysis and can lead to flawed conclusions if not properly addressed.
Confirmation Bias
Confirmation bias refers to the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one’s preexisting beliefs or hypotheses, while giving disproportionately less consideration to alternative possibilities. This cognitive bias can significantly hinder critical thinking because it narrows an individual’s perspective, leading to a skewed understanding of information (Nickerson, 1998). For instance, a person might seek out only evidence that supports their viewpoint while ignoring evidence that contradicts it. Such bias can result in poor decision-making and misunderstandings, especially in complex situations where objectivity is crucial.
To overcome confirmation bias, I can adopt strategies such as actively seeking out information that challenges my beliefs and engaging with diverse perspectives. This involves deliberately questioning my assumptions and considering alternative explanations or viewpoints. Additionally, I can utilize tools like devil’s advocate methods, where I argue against my initial stance, or consult with others who hold different opinions to gain broader insights (Klayman, 1995). Developing awareness of confirmation bias itself is vital, and mindfulness practices can help increase self-awareness of when I might be unconsciously favoring certain information over others. By fostering an open-minded approach, I can cultivate a more balanced and comprehensive understanding of the issues I face, enhancing my critical thinking skills.
Emotional Reasoning
Emotional reasoning involves allowing strong feelings to influence judgments, often leading to distorted perceptions of reality. When emotions dominate, individuals may interpret facts in ways that reinforce their emotional state rather than reflect objective truth. For example, feelings of anger or fear might cause someone to perceive a situation as more threatening than it objectively is, thereby impairing rational decision-making (Lerner et al., 2015). This barrier is particularly problematic because emotions are powerful and can obscure logical analysis, leading to biased or impulsive conclusions.
To overcome emotional reasoning, I plan to develop emotional awareness and regulation skills. Recognizing when my emotions are influencing my judgments is the first step; mindfulness meditation and reflective practices can help increase awareness of emotional states (Gross, 2008). Once aware, I can implement techniques such as pausing before responding or acting, and deliberately evaluating the facts separate from my feelings. Additionally, seeking objective feedback from others can provide a reality check and prevent emotional biases from clouding my judgment. By integrating emotional regulation strategies, I aim to maintain clarity and objectivity during critical thinking processes, thus improving the quality of my decisions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, overcoming cognitive biases like confirmation bias and emotional reasoning is vital for enhancing critical thinking skills. Being aware of these barriers allows individuals to implement targeted strategies, such as seeking diverse perspectives and regulating emotional responses, which promote more balanced and objective analysis. Continuous self-awareness, practice, and reflection are essential in cultivating robust critical thinking abilities that are less susceptible to bias and emotional distortion.
References
- Gross, J. J. (2008). The eMOTION regulation in everyday life. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 17(2), 111-115.
- Klayman, J. (1995). Variants of confirmation bias. Psychological Bulletin, 112(2), 241–253.
- Lerner, J. S., Li, Y., Valdesolo, P., & Kassam, K. S. (2015). Emotion and decision making. Annual Review of Psychology, 66, 799–823.
- Nickerson, R. S. (1998). Confirmation bias: A ubiquitous phenomenon in many guises. Review of General Psychology, 2(2), 175–220.