Critical Thinking in everyday life chapter 1

Week 1 – Levels and Steps of Critical Thinking Worksheet
Note. This is a three-part assignment. Please ensure you complete all three parts.
Part 1: Critical Thinking Distribution
Complete the following True/False questions about Beginning Critical Thinker, Average Critical Thinker, and Advanced Critical Thinker. Refer to pp. 13-15 in Ch. 1 of Critical Thinking in Everyday Life.
_True__ Beginning critical thinkers are hesitant to change the way they think about topics.
_True__ Advanced critical thinkers surround themselves with people who have different opinions.
_False_ Average critical thinkers do not want to think critically at all.
_False_ Advanced critical thinkers believe everyone or everything.
__True_ Average critical thinkers are improving at detecting, addressing, and eliminating their own biases.
Respond to the following:
In a 25- to 50-word response, answer the following question:

What are the differences in the characteristics between the beginning and the advanced critical thinker?
Beginning critical thinkers are hesitant to change the way they think about topics while the advanced critical thinkers surround themselves with people who have different opinions. Whereas beginning critical thinkers try to improve but without regular practice, advanced critical thinkers apply critical thinking skills on their day to day life and thus rarely make mistakes in problem-solving and decision making. In addition, the beginning critical thinker doesn’t spend much time thinking about how they think and do not consider critical thinking as a priority as opposed to advanced critical thinkers who question almost everything and are excited to detect unsubstantiated statements.

Lastly, beginning critical thinkers do not self-evaluate themselves in terms of opinions, behavior or values and are change resistant just wanting to maintain status quo whereas advanced critical thinkers improve their bias-detecting skills in both written and oral aspects and eliminate personal biases.
Part 2: Determine Your Level
Complete the following:
Read each level carefully on pp. 14–15 in Ch. 1 and highlight the level that best describes your level of thinking. What is your critical thinking level?
Level 3: Beginning Critical Thinker I Level 4: Beginning Critical Thinker II
Level 5: Average Critical Thinker I Level 6: Average Critical Thinker II
Level 7: Advanced Critical Thinker I Level 8: Advanced Critical Thinker II
In a 25- to 50-word response, answer the following questions:
What descriptions on pp. 14–15 in Ch. 1 did you identify with that made you select this level?
I select Level 7: Advanced Critical Thinker I
This is because I surround myself with people who have different opinions. I also apply critical thinking skills on my day to day life and thus rarely make mistakes in problem solving and decision making. Furthermore, I strive to improve my bias-detecting skills in both written and oral aspects and eliminate personal biases. Moreover, I question almost everything and am excited to detect unsubstantiated statements.
How do you plan on advancing to the next level before the end of this class?
I plan to advance to Level 8: Advanced Critical Thinker II by first recognizing the need to improve my critical thinking skills. Secondly, I intend to identify the barriers that prevent me from enhancing my critical thinking skills and find a way of modifying or replacing them. Next, I will be keen in determining information reliability and credibility of the source. Also, I will develop an understanding of the problem-solving process and apply the skills in solving everyday problems in my life. And lastly, I will make critical thinking the essence and defining the characteristic of my existence.
Part 3: Eight-Step Process to Critical Thinking
Complete the following matching exercise with the Eight-Step Process to Critical Thinking. Refer to pp. 16–19 in Ch. 1 of Critical Thinking in Everyday Life.
Step 1: Recognize the need to improve your critical thinking skills
Step 2: “What barriers inhibit me from developing my critical thinking skills?”
Step 3: “How can I modify or replace them?”
Step 4: Determine the reliability of information (“message”)
Step 5: Determine the credibility of the source (“messenger”)
Step 6: Understanding the problem-solving process
Step 7: Solving problems in your everyday life
Step 8: Critical thinking becomes the essence and defining the characteristic of your existence.
__Step 2___ Identify what is stopping you from becoming a critical thinker.
__Step 1___ Acknowledge that you can improve as a critical thinker.
_Step 4____ Distinguish what is factual from fantasy.
__Step 6___ Transform into a thinker who demands research, facts, and answers.
__Step 3___ Switch and alter barriers to continuing thinking critically.
___Step 5__ Evaluate, who is authentic and has integrity.
__Step 7___ Make decisions and solve problems every day.
__Step 8___ Apply critical thinking principle.
Reference
Ridel, R. W. (2015). Critical thinking in everyday life. Phoenix, AZ: Calm Sky Media.