Theresa Woghiren Barriers that affect critical thinking

Barriers that Influence Critical Thinking.
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In this paper, I will address one internal and one external barrier that influences my critical thinking and describe how I can overcome each using chapter 3 and 4 of the book, ‘Changing Thinking in Everyday Life,’ by Robert W. Ridel.
The first barrier that affects my critical thinking is stubbornness. From the day I could comprehend things, I was bred in a staunch Christian family. Consequently, I ended up developing a particular set of opinions and beliefs about some matters. Moreover, I am naturally a very stubborn and strong willed person. These two things blended makes it very hard for someone to convince me in particular matters especially religious ones. I often get into heated arguments with some of my friends when it comes to religious matters; no matter how much someone might come up with a relatively reasonable argument, I become stubborn and neglect that opinion because I had already formed a definite set belief on the matter. Clearly, the latter example is an internal barrier affecting my critical thinking. I will overcome come it by viewing circumstances from different perspectives (Ridel, 2015). I will work on modifying my ideas in light of better insight as my opinion or standpoint is not always the right one.
The second barrier to critical thinking that I had been enculturation. This factor plays a vital role in the decision-making process of an individual as it involves how the person has been raised, societal and cultural habits (Ridel, 2015).

Primarily, it is an external barrier to critical thinking. This influence was one that I dealt with for an enormous portion of my childhood life as I was accustomed to doing things in one particular way; whether the things I did were good or bad, I still did them because my parents had taught me that that was how it ought to be done. One example is the eating disorder I developed. This problem was an indirect result of my mother’s teaching when I was young. During this time, she was big on fitness. She was a nutritionist and aerobic teacher at the same time. I spent majority of my evenings in the gym with her and we were banned from eating any ‘junk.’ However, as I grew older, I slowly sunk into her line of thinking and ended up overdoing it to the point that I developed an eating disorder. Nonetheless, through the book, I have learnt that I can overcome this barrier through independent thinking and supporting opinions with evidence and reason; not based on external influence.

References.
Ridel W, R. (2015). Chapter 3. In Critical Thinking in Everyday Life. Calm Sky Media.
Ridel W, R. (2015). Chapter 4. In Critical Thinking in Everyday Life. Calm Sky Media.