Approximate reading time: 21 minutes

Critical thinking is a skill essential not only for psychology professionals but for everyone. Critical thinking is the skill you might use when deciding to buy a computer. You might start by considering your brand options, budget, and the features you need. This kind of thinking is about more than just logical reasoning; it involves understanding your values and emotional responses and recognising the biases and assumptions that shape your thoughts. The following is a list of critical thinking practices that will teach you how to ask the right questions, define problems in their full context, and seek out reliable, empirical evidence. It will also remind you to analyze your own biases, integrate your emotional wisdom with a rational analysis, and understand the importance of looking at what might be missing. You’ll learn to consider alternative interpretations and embrace the uncertainty that often accompanies complex issues. By the end of this section, you’ll have a deeper appreciation of how critical thinking is not just a scientific tool but a valuable life skill. The following is an updated version of Carole Wade’s (1995) critical thinking processes.

Ask Questions and Be Willing to Wonder

Curiosity precedes all scientific discoveries and is the basis for acquiring knowledge. For example, suppose you are interested in exploring what makes people happier: giving or receiving. Questions you might be wondering about could include: Are there certain types of giving that are more likely to lead to happiness? Does receiving gifts make people happier than receiving services? How do you measure happiness anyway? This curiosity and questioning is crucial in psychology, as it drives the research. In the context of our example, ‘Which makes us happier, giving or receiving?’, start by questioning common perceptions about happiness linked to giving and receiving. Explore whether societal or cultural norms influence our understanding of happiness in these contexts.

Define the Problem

We need to think about exactly what we want to know about the relationship between giving and receiving and happiness. There are many ways to define giving: it might mean donating money to charity for some people, volunteering time for others, or giving gifts to loved ones. Similarly, happiness can be interpreted in various ways, from a fleeting sense of joy to a deeper sense of fulfillment. We need to define the issue or question we are interested in. Clear definitions are vital for conducting focused and meaningful research. For our example, you will need to clarify what aspects of giving and receiving you want to examine. Are you considering emotional, material, or time-based giving? How are you defining happiness in this context – as a momentary feeling or a long-term state of well-being?

Practice Rigorous Fact-Checking

Always verify the facts and data you encounter, especially when they form the basis of your arguments or conclusions. Consult primary sources such as peer-reviewed journal articles, official reports, and government databases to ensure accuracy and reliability. If the option is available, the best primary source is going to be the first person who made the comment or created the content. This fact-checking practice is foundational in maintaining the integrity and credibility of psychological research. Coming back to our example of the effect of giving and receiving on happiness, you will need to ensure that the data come from credible sources. Look for studies that specifically address these aspects and critically consider their methodologies and conclusions.

Examine the Evidence

Empirical evidence is essential for critical thinking. While personal stories, like someone feeling happier after donating to a charity, are interesting, they’re just individual experiences and might not apply to everyone. For reliable evidence, we need to look at well-conducted research studies. In psychology, a valuable resource for this is PsycINFO, accessible through university libraries. PsycINFO is a comprehensive database that includes a wide range of scholarly work in psychology. It allows users to search for and often download original research articles, providing a solid foundation for understanding psychological concepts. Empirical evidence helps in distinguishing between anecdotal experiences and scientifically validated facts. For our example, you will need to seek out empirical studies that have investigated the relationship between giving, receiving, and happiness, and compare findings from different studies to see if there is a consensus or if results vary significantly.

Analyze Assumptions and Biases

Whenever we are reasoning about an idea, we are bound to begin with certain assumptions. For example, we might assume that giving is more likely to lead to happiness because of the common saying, “It’s better to give than to receive.” It helps if we can identify how we feel or think about an idea. All people are prone, to some degree, to confirmation bias, which is the tendency to look for evidence that supports your belief while at the same time discounting any that contradicts it. This type of bias might be reflected in the social media accounts we follow; we follow people who think like us and do not follow people who might have opposing, although possibly valid, points of view. Being aware of these biases is a crucial step in critical thinking, as it allows us to question our own perspectives and consider a broader range of viewpoints. So while you are planning the example research topic, reflect on any personal biases you might have regarding the effects of giving and receiving on happiness. Consider how your own experiences, religious beliefs, or cultural background might influence your interpretation of the data.

Integrate Emotional Awareness with Critical Analysis

Acknowledge and reflect on the emotional responses you have to the content you are considering. Understand that emotions can provide valuable insights. At the same time, you will need to maintain a balance between your emotional experience and your logical reasoning. Unfortunately, it is impossible to think about anything in a completely objective manner. Having a vested interest in an issue or personal knowledge about it often creates an emotional bias that we may not even be well aware of. Feeling strongly about something can actually get in the way of our ability to think logically. Consider any issue you feel strongly about. How easy is it to separate your emotions from your objectivity? This integration is essential in psychology, where understanding human behaviour often requires a blend of emotional intelligence and rational analysis. For example, while analyzing studies on giving and receiving, be aware of how your own feelings towards these acts might influence your understanding. Does it make you uncomfortable to accept gifts and favours? Do you like or dislike doing favours for others? Is it easy or hard for you to know what to give? Strive to balance these emotional responses with objective analysis of the research.

Avoid Oversimplification

Simplicity is comfortable, but it may not be accurate. We often strive for simple explanations for events because it saves us from the mental work required to understand the issue(s). Thinking is hard work. We may also oversimplify because we may not have access to all of the information we need to fully understand the issue. This limitation can lead us to overlook critical aspects that are essential for a comprehensive understanding. For instance, the act of giving might seem to lead to happiness for one obvious reason, but in reality, it could be influenced by a complex interplay of personal values, cultural norms, and individual psychological factors.

It’s important to resist the temptation to settle for the first explanation that comes to mind. Instead, we should cultivate the habit of digging deeper and asking clarifying questions that get at the complexity of an issue. By doing so, we can develop a more complete and full understanding of the issues. Complexity is a natural part of human psychology, and embracing it can lead to more profound and insightful conclusions. Resist the temptation to draw simple conclusions like ‘giving always makes people happier than receiving’. Consider the complexities and variables involved, such as the context of giving/receiving and individual differences in what brings happiness.

Consider What You Don’t Know

Sometimes it is easier to see what is in front of us than to imagine what is not in front of us. We should be asking ourselves, “What don’t I know about this issue?” Or, “Who is not yet part of this discussion but should be?” Or, “Have I consulted elders and experts who have more experience with this issue than I do?” What practices can help you find and pay close attention to what is missing from the discussion? Acknowledging the limits of our knowledge is a sign of intellectual humility and openness, both of which are key in the pursuit of psychological understanding. For our example, question what aspects of the relationship between giving, receiving, and happiness are still unclear or under-researched. Are there cultural or demographic groups whose experiences haven’t been adequately studied?

Consider Alternative Interpretations

Whenever you hear a news story telling you that something is good for you, it is wise to dig a little deeper. Imagine you come across a news story highlighting a study that claims giving to others improves mental health. A critical thinker would want to know more about how those studies were done. Look beyond the surface of such claims. Investigate how the study was conducted: What was the sample size? Were the participants predominantly from a specific age group or background? Consider the possibility that the type of giving (material versus emotional support) might play a role in mental health outcomes.

It’s also important to explore whether there are other factors, like the giver’s financial status or personal motivations, that could have influenced these findings. This kind of critical examination helps you understand the complexities behind psychological research and its reporting in the media. Exploring these alternative interpretations can reveal the multifaceted nature of psychological phenomena and prevent oversimplified conclusions. When encountering research that suggests a straightforward relationship between giving/receiving and happiness, consider alternative explanations. Could other factors like social support, personal values, or life circumstances be influencing this relationship?

Tolerate Uncertainty

Uncertainty is uncomfortable. We want to know why things happen, and for good reasons. We are always trying to make sense of the world, and we look for explanations. However, sometimes things are complicated and uncertain, or we don’t yet have an explanation for them. Sometimes we just have to accept that we don’t yet have a full picture of why something happens or what causes it. We need to remain open to more information. It is helpful to be able to point out what we don’t know as well as what we do. Embracing this uncertainty encourages us to continue exploring, researching, and learning. It allows us to approach psychological phenomena with a sense of curiosity and humility, acknowledging that our current understanding is incomplete and always evolving. This tolerance for uncertainty is a cornerstone of scientific inquiry, especially in psychology, where human behaviour and mental processes are often not black and white. Acknowledge that the relationship between giving, receiving, and happiness may not be fully understood and that research in this area is ongoing. Be open to new findings and perspectives that might challenge or refine current understanding.

Siddharth’s Critical Thinking in Action

After the success of his empirical baking experiment, Siddharth reflects on the critical thinking skills he employed throughout his project. His journey in building a community through baking had been more than just mixing ingredients; it was a testament to the power of critical thinking in real-life scenarios.

Ask Questions and Be Willing to Wonder

Siddharth’s project began with curiosity. He wondered how his love for baking could help foster connections among his dorm mates. Questions like “Which baked goods will bring people together?” and “Can the aroma of baking enhance social interactions?” were the seeds that grew into his project.

Define the Problem

Siddharth needed to pinpoint what he wanted to achieve. He defined his problem as: “How to use baking to create a more socially interactive and inclusive environment in the dorm?” This clear definition guided his entire project.

Practice Rigorous Fact-Checking

Before starting, Siddharth researched the psychological effects of different aromas and their impact on social behaviour. He called his father who is a renowned professional baker and consulted other credible sources, ensuring his baking choices were backed by scientific evidence.

Examine the Evidence

Siddharth understood that personal anecdotes about baking bringing people together were not enough. He needed empirical evidence, which led to his methodical approach in Part 2, where he observed and recorded the effects of different baked goods on social interaction.

Analyze Assumptions and Biases

Initially, Siddharth assumed that chocolate chip cookies would be the most effective in promoting social interaction. However, he recognised this bias and set up his experiment to test this assumption against cinnamon buns, allowing the data to lead to conclusions.

Integrate Emotional Awareness with Critical Analysis

Siddharth was passionate about baking, but he knew that he needed to balance this enthusiasm with objective analysis. His emotional connection to baking enriched his project, but his critical approach ensured that the results were valid and reliable.

Avoid Oversimplification

Understanding human behaviour is complex. Siddharth resisted the urge to oversimplify his findings. He acknowledged that factors like time of day, type of baked goods, and individual preferences all played a role in the outcome of his experiment.

Consider What You Don’t Know

Siddharth constantly asked himself what he might be missing. This led him to consider other factors like cultural preferences and dietary restrictions, which influenced his choice of international recipes.

Consider Alternative Interpretations

When analyzing his results, Siddharth remained open to different interpretations. He understood that while his findings suggested certain trends, they were not definitive answers but rather insights into a complex question.

Tolerate Uncertainty

Finally, Siddharth embraced the uncertainty inherent in human behaviour studies. He accepted that his project was just a small piece in the vast puzzle of understanding social dynamics and that there was much more to explore and learn.

Through his baking project, Siddharth not only brought his dorm mates together but also honed his critical thinking skills. He realised that these skills were invaluable, not just in academic pursuits but in everyday life.

Watch this video: 5 tips to improve your critical thinking (4.5 minutes)

“5 tips to improve your critical thinking – Samantha Agoos” video by TED-Ed is licensed under the Standard YouTube licence.