1.2.1: Common Barriers to Critical Thinking Expanded
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Critical thinking is essential for effective reading and writing at the college level, but several common barriers can impede our ability to think critically. Understanding these barriers helps in developing strategies to overcome them and enhance our analytical and evaluative skills. Most of these will be covered in greater detail later on in this book, this is a broad overview.
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1. Cognitive Biases
Cognitive biases are systematic patterns of deviation from rationality in judgment. They affect our ability to think clearly and objectively, leading to errors in reasoning.
- Confirmation Bias: This occurs when we favor information that confirms our preexisting beliefs and ignore or undervalue evidence that contradicts them. In reading and writing, this can result in selective citation of sources that only support our arguments, neglecting contrary evidence.
- Anchoring Bias: This involves relying too heavily on the first piece of information encountered (the "anchor") when making decisions. For writers, this might mean sticking rigidly to an initial thesis even when new evidence suggests a different conclusion.
- Availability Heuristic: This bias leads us to overestimate the importance of information that is most readily available to us. In a research context, it may result in over-relying on easily accessible sources rather than seeking out more comprehensive and reliable information.
2. Emotional Influences
Emotions play a significant role in shaping our thoughts and decisions, often hindering our ability to think critically.
- Stress and Anxiety: High levels of stress and anxiety can cloud judgment and impede critical thinking. For students, the pressure of deadlines and academic performance can make it difficult to engage deeply with material and think critically about it.
- Personal Biases: Emotional attachment to certain beliefs or ideas can prevent us from objectively analyzing information. For example, a writer who feels strongly about a particular issue may struggle to present a balanced argument that considers multiple perspectives.
3. Lack of Information
Inadequate or incomplete information can severely limit our ability to evaluate situations and make informed decisions.
- Superficial Understanding: Skimming texts or failing to fully engage with material can result in a shallow understanding of the content. This can lead to weak arguments and poorly supported conclusions in writing.
- Over-reliance on Secondary Sources: Relying heavily on secondary sources without consulting primary data can introduce inaccuracies and biases into our analysis. Critical readers and writers need to seek out and verify original sources of information.
4. Overconfidence
Overconfidence in our knowledge and abilities can hinder critical thinking by leading to complacency and a lack of thoroughness.
- Assuming Expertise: Believing we know more than we do can prevent us from seeking additional information or questioning our assumptions. This is particularly problematic in academic writing, where a thorough and nuanced understanding is essential.
- Dismissing Feedback: Overconfidence can make us resistant to feedback and criticism, which are crucial for refining our ideas and improving our work.
5. Groupthink
Groupthink occurs when the desire for harmony or conformity in a group leads to irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcomes.
- Pressure to Conform: In academic settings, students might feel pressured to align their opinions with those of their peers or instructors, stifling independent critical thinking.
- Lack of Diverse Perspectives: Groupthink can result in a lack of diverse viewpoints, which is detrimental to critical analysis. Effective critical thinking requires considering a wide range of perspectives and challenging dominant narratives.
"Stop! Go Left! Straight ahead! Don't run over the crazy foreigner taking photos of street lights!" by LeRamz is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
Overcoming Barriers to Critical Thinking
Recognizing these barriers is the first step toward overcoming them. Strategies to enhance critical thinking in reading and writing include:
- Active Engagement: Engage deeply with texts by annotating, questioning, and discussing the material.
- Seeking Diverse Perspectives: Actively seek out and consider multiple viewpoints to broaden your understanding.
- Reflective Thinking: Regularly reflect on your thought processes and be open to adjusting your views based on new evidence.
- Emotional Regulation: Develop strategies to manage stress and emotions, such as mindfulness or taking breaks, to maintain clarity in thinking.
By addressing these barriers, students can improve their critical thinking skills, leading to more insightful reading, effective writing, and overall academic success.
Mixing and Matching Critical Thinking Barriers
"#mix and #match #mismatch: #pink and #blue #shoes" by cavale is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
Critical thinking is essential for academic success and effective problem-solving, but various barriers can impede our ability to think critically. These barriers often do not exist in isolation and can combine, creating even greater challenges. For example, you might experience cognitive biases and emotional influences simultaneously. Imagine writing a research paper on the impact of pesticide use on local agriculture with a strong personal belief that pesticides are harmful. This confirmation bias leads you to favor sources that support your view while feeling angry when encountering studies suggesting otherwise, causing selective citation and an unbalanced argument. To overcome this, actively seek out differing viewpoints, discuss your topic with those who hold different perspectives, reflect on how your emotions and biases may affect your judgment, and practice mindfulness techniques to manage emotional responses.
Another example is when a lack of information combines with overconfidence. You might feel confident about your knowledge of local water rights issues because you grew up in the area, yet rely heavily on secondary sources without seeking primary data, leading to an incomplete understanding. Overcome this by thoroughly researching primary sources like government reports, consulting local experts, regularly questioning your assumptions, and staying humble to embrace a growth mindset.
Groupthink and cognitive biases often occur together. In a group project on sustainable farming practices, you may feel pressured to conform to the group's opinion and overlook contradictory data, stifling critical thinking. Encourage open dialogue, suggest researching multiple methods, reflect on how group dynamics influence your judgment, and manage discomfort with dissenting views to promote a thorough and balanced approach.
Emotional influences can also pair with overconfidence. Preparing for a debate on immigration policies, you might feel passionately due to personal connections and dismiss opposing arguments without full consideration. Combat this by researching opposing viewpoints thoroughly, engaging in discussions with those holding different views, reflecting on how your emotions and confidence impact objectivity, and practicing stress-relief techniques to maintain rational thinking.
Lastly, lack of information and cognitive biases can overlap. Writing a report on climate change effects in the Central Valley, you might assume minimal local impacts and gather only supporting information while relying on superficial sources. Delve deeper into authoritative sources, consult climate experts, challenge your initial assumptions, and remain open to revising your views based on comprehensive evidence.
Recognizing and overcoming these mixed barriers is crucial for effective critical thinking. By actively engaging with material, seeking diverse perspectives, practicing reflective thinking, and regulating emotions, community college students can enhance their critical thinking skills and navigate academic and real-world challenges more effectively. This integrated approach ensures a more thorough, balanced, and critical analysis of issues, leading to better decision-making and problem-solving outcomes.
Examples with real world scenarios
Cognitive Biases
Critical thinking is essential for academic success and effective problem-solving. However, various barriers can impede our ability to think critically. Here’s how to recognize and overcome these barriers, illustrated with real-world examples relevant to community college students in a Central Valley, CA setting.
Example 1: You are researching the impact of agricultural policies on small farms. Initially, you believe that current policies are beneficial. To overcome confirmation bias, you deliberately read studies and reports that critique these policies. Discussing with classmates who work on different types of farms broadens your understanding and leads you to a more balanced view.
- Definition: Favoring information that confirms preexisting beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence.
- Overcoming Strategy:
- Active Engagement: Actively seek out sources that challenge your viewpoint.
- Seeking Diverse Perspectives: Engage with diverse perspectives by discussing your ideas with peers who have different viewpoints.
- Reflective Thinking: Regularly reflect on your biases and be willing to adjust your beliefs when presented with new evidence.
- Emotional Regulation: Stay open-minded and manage emotional reactions to conflicting information.
Example 2: You are researching the impact of housing policies on urban development in San Francisco. Initially, you believe that current policies are beneficial for all residents. To overcome confirmation bias, you deliberately read studies and reports that critique these policies. Discussing with classmates who live in different neighborhoods or who have different housing experiences broadens your understanding and leads you to a more balanced view.
- Definition: Favoring information that confirms preexisting beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence.
- Overcoming Strategy:
- Active Engagement: Actively seek out sources that challenge your viewpoint.
- Seeking Diverse Perspectives: Engage with diverse perspectives by discussing your ideas with peers who have different viewpoints.
- Reflective Thinking: Regularly reflect on your biases and be willing to adjust your beliefs when presented with new evidence.
- Emotional Regulation: Stay open-minded and manage emotional reactions to conflicting information.
Example 1: In a sociology paper, your initial research suggests that urbanization negatively impacts rural communities. As you continue your research, you find evidence of positive impacts, such as improved access to education and healthcare. Adjusting your thesis to reflect these new findings ensures a more accurate and comprehensive analysis.
Anchoring Bias:
- Definition: Relying too heavily on the first piece of information encountered.
- Overcoming Strategy:
- Active Engagement: Be willing to revise your thesis or initial conclusions as new evidence emerges.
- Seeking Diverse Perspectives: Consult multiple sources before forming a conclusion.
- Reflective Thinking: Question the validity of the initial information and consider alternative explanations.
- Emotional Regulation: Stay flexible and open to changing your stance based on new information.
Example 2:
In an economics paper, your initial research suggests that the high cost of living in Los Angeles is solely due to housing shortages. As you continue your research, you find evidence of other contributing factors such as zoning laws, income disparities, and economic policies. Adjusting your thesis to reflect these new findings ensures a more accurate and comprehensive analysis.
- Definition: Relying too heavily on the first piece of information encountered.
- Overcoming Strategy:
- Active Engagement: Be willing to revise your thesis or initial conclusions as new evidence emerges.
- Seeking Diverse Perspectives: Consult multiple sources before forming a conclusion.
- Reflective Thinking: Question the validity of the initial information and consider alternative explanations.
- Emotional Regulation: Stay flexible and open to changing your stance based on new information.
Example 1: While preparing a presentation on climate change, you initially rely on a few well-known websites. To ensure a thorough analysis, you explore academic journals and government reports, gaining a more nuanced understanding of climate impacts on agriculture in the Central Valley.
Availability Heuristic:
- Definition: Overestimating the importance of information that is most readily available.
- Overcoming Strategy:
- Active Engagement: Dig deeper into the topic and avoid relying solely on easily accessible sources.
- Seeking Diverse Perspectives: Use academic databases and library resources to find a range of information.
- Reflective Thinking: Assess the representativeness of readily available information.
- Emotional Regulation: Avoid jumping to conclusions based on convenience and ease of access.
Example 2:While preparing a presentation on the effects of homelessness in Los Angeles, you initially rely on a few well-known news websites. To ensure a thorough analysis, you explore academic journals, government reports, and local nonprofit studies, gaining a more nuanced understanding of the various factors contributing to homelessness in the city.
- Definition: Overestimating the importance of information that is most readily available.
- Overcoming Strategy:
- Active Engagement: Dig deeper into the topic and avoid relying solely on easily accessible sources.
- Seeking Diverse Perspectives: Use academic databases and library resources to find a range of information.
- Reflective Thinking: Assess the representativeness of readily available information.
- Emotional Regulation: Avoid jumping to conclusions based on convenience and ease of access.
Emotional Influences
Example: Facing multiple deadlines, you feel overwhelmed and struggle to focus on your assignments. By creating a detailed schedule and taking short breaks, you manage your time better and reduce anxiety, allowing for clearer and more critical thinking.
Stress and Anxiety:
- Definition: High levels of stress and anxiety can cloud judgment and impede critical thinking.
- Overcoming Strategy:
- Active Engagement: Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps to reduce stress.
- Seeking Diverse Perspectives: Discuss your stressors with peers or advisors to gain support and alternative viewpoints.
- Reflective Thinking: Reflect on past successes to build confidence.
- Emotional Regulation: Practice mindfulness, deep breathing, or take breaks to manage stress.
Example 2: As a student in a community college in a Rocky Mountain town in Colorado, you are juggling a part-time job, coursework, and volunteer work with a local conservation group. The pressure of balancing these responsibilities leaves you feeling anxious and unable to concentrate on your studies. By setting clear priorities, creating a structured weekly plan, and incorporating outdoor activities like hiking to relax, you manage your workload more effectively. This approach reduces your stress levels and enhances your ability to think critically and complete your assignments efficiently.
- Definition: High levels of stress and anxiety can cloud judgment and impede critical thinking.
- Overcoming Strategy:
- Active Engagement: Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps to reduce stress.
- Seeking Diverse Perspectives: Discuss your stressors with peers or advisors to gain support and alternative viewpoints.
- Reflective Thinking: Reflect on past successes to build confidence.
- Emotional Regulation: Practice mindfulness, deep breathing, or take breaks to manage stress.
Example: You feel strongly about immigration issues and have always believed in strict policies. During a class debate, you listen to classmates who share personal stories about the benefits of more inclusive policies. This helps you appreciate different perspectives and refine your arguments.
Personal Biases:
- Definition: Emotional attachment to certain beliefs or ideas can prevent objective analysis.
- Overcoming Strategy:
- Active Engagement: Consciously challenge your personal biases by engaging with opposing views.
- Seeking Diverse Perspectives: Involve yourself in discussions with people holding different opinions.
- Reflective Thinking: Reflect on why you hold certain beliefs and how they may bias your analysis.
- Emotional Regulation: Keep emotions in check to maintain objectivity.
Lack of Information
Example: In a history class, you are assigned to write about the Dust Bowl. Instead of just skimming a few articles, you read comprehensive accounts, watch documentaries, and analyze primary sources, resulting in a richer and more informed paper.
Superficial Understanding:
- Definition: Skimming texts or failing to fully engage with material can result in a shallow understanding.
- Overcoming Strategy:
- Active Engagement: Read materials thoroughly and take detailed notes.
- Seeking Diverse Perspectives: Cross-reference multiple sources to deepen your understanding.
- Reflective Thinking: Summarize what you've learned and identify any gaps in your knowledge.
- Emotional Regulation: Stay focused and patient, avoiding the urge to rush through material.
Example 2:In a marine biology class at a community college in Florida, you are assigned to write a report on the impact of coral bleaching. Instead of just reading a couple of articles online, you dive deeper by studying scientific journals, watching documentaries, and interviewing local marine biologists. This comprehensive approach results in a richer and more informed paper that covers various aspects of coral ecosystems and the specific causes and effects of bleaching in Florida waters.
- Definition: Skimming texts or failing to fully engage with material can result in a shallow understanding.
- Overcoming Strategy:
- Active Engagement: Read materials thoroughly and take detailed notes.
- Seeking Diverse Perspectives: Cross-reference multiple sources to deepen your understanding.
- Reflective Thinking: Summarize what you've learned and identify any gaps in your knowledge.
- Emotional Regulation: Stay focused and patient, avoiding the urge to rush through material.
Example: For a psychology paper, you initially base your arguments on textbook summaries. By accessing original studies and raw data, you gain a deeper insight into psychological theories, allowing you to present a more accurate and credible analysis.
Over-reliance on Secondary Sources:
- Definition: Relying heavily on secondary sources without consulting primary data can introduce inaccuracies and biases.
- Overcoming Strategy:
- Active Engagement: Seek out primary sources, such as original research, firsthand accounts, and raw data.
- Seeking Diverse Perspectives: Compare primary sources with secondary analyses to see different interpretations.
- Reflective Thinking: Evaluate the credibility and context of primary sources.
- Emotional Regulation: Remain diligent and avoid the temptation to take shortcuts.
Overconfidence
Example: Confident in your understanding of agricultural practices, you write an essay on sustainable farming without consulting recent studies. After receiving feedback from your professor, you realize the importance of reviewing the latest research, leading to a more informed and credible essay.
Assuming Expertise:
- Definition: Believing we know more than we do can prevent us from seeking additional information or questioning our assumptions.
- Overcoming Strategy:
- Active Engagement: Continuously seek new information and stay updated with recent research.
- Seeking Diverse Perspectives: Encourage feedback from peers and instructors to identify knowledge gaps.
- Reflective Thinking: Regularly question your assumptions and be open to learning.
- Emotional Regulation: Cultivate humility and recognize the limits of your knowledge.
Example 2:Confident in your understanding of renewable energy technologies, you write an essay on solar power implementation in suburban Orange County without consulting recent studies. After receiving feedback from your professor, you realize the importance of reviewing the latest research on technological advancements and policy changes. This leads to a more informed and credible essay that accurately reflects current trends and data.
- Definition: Believing we know more than we do can prevent us from seeking additional information or questioning our assumptions.
- Overcoming Strategy:
- Active Engagement: Continuously seek new information and stay updated with recent research.
- Seeking Diverse Perspectives: Encourage feedback from peers and instructors to identify knowledge gaps.
- Reflective Thinking: Regularly question your assumptions and be open to learning.
- Emotional Regulation: Cultivate humility and recognize the limits of your knowledge.
Example: You receive feedback on a draft of your research paper suggesting significant revisions. Initially resistant, you reflect on the feedback and realize it can enhance your argument. By making the suggested changes, your final paper is much stronger.
Dismissing Feedback:
- Definition: Overconfidence can make us resistant to feedback and criticism, which are crucial for refining our ideas and improving our work.
- Overcoming Strategy:
- Active Engagement: Actively seek out and consider constructive feedback.
- Seeking Diverse Perspectives: Discuss your work with others to gain new insights.
- Reflective Thinking: Reflect on feedback and identify areas for improvement.
- Emotional Regulation: Manage defensiveness and accept criticism as an opportunity for growth.
Groupthink
Example: In a group project, everyone agrees on a specific approach that you believe is flawed. By respectfully presenting your concerns and suggesting alternative strategies, you help the group consider different perspectives and potentially improve the project's outcome.
Pressure to Conform:
- Definition: In academic settings, students might feel pressured to align their opinions with those of their peers or instructors, stifling independent critical thinking.
- Overcoming Strategy:
- Active Engagement: Encourage open dialogue and express your own ideas confidently.
- Seeking Diverse Perspectives: Foster an environment where diverse opinions are valued.
- Reflective Thinking: Reflect on your own views and how group dynamics may influence them.
- Emotional Regulation: Stay true to your convictions while respecting others’ opinions.
Example: During a classroom discussion on environmental policies, most students support a particular policy. To ensure a comprehensive analysis, you invite a guest speaker with a different viewpoint to present their case. This exposure to diverse perspectives enriches the discussion and broadens everyone's understanding.
Lack of Diverse Perspectives:
- Definition: Groupthink can result in a lack of diverse viewpoints, which is detrimental to critical analysis. Effective critical thinking requires considering a wide range of perspectives and challenging dominant narratives.
- Overcoming Strategy:
- Active Engagement: Actively seek out and include diverse perspectives in discussions and decision-making.
- Seeking Diverse Perspectives: Engage with people from different backgrounds and experiences.
- Reflective Thinking: Reflect on the value of diverse viewpoints and how they can enhance your understanding.
- Emotional Regulation: Manage any discomfort with differing opinions and remain open-minded.
Conclusion
Recognizing and overcoming these barriers is crucial for effective critical thinking. By actively engaging with material, seeking diverse perspectives, practicing reflective thinking, and regulating emotions, community college students can enhance their critical thinking skills and navigate academic and real-world challenges more effectively.
Attributions
The content above was assisted by ChatGPT in outlining and organizing information. The final material was curated, edited, authored, and arranged through human creativity, originality, and subject expertise of the Coalinga College English Department and the Coalinga College Library Learning Resource Center and is therefore under the CC BY NC SA license when applicable. To see resources on AI and copyright please see the United States Copyright Office 2023 Statement and the following case study on using AI assistance but curating and creating with human originality and creativity.
Images without specific attribution were generated with the assistance of ChatGPT 2024 and are not subject to any copyright restrictions, in accordance with the United States Copyright Office 2023 Statement.
The above section was remixed from the following Open Educational Resources:
- Introductory Composition, Basic Reading and Writing by Lumen, Module 1: Success Skills, Section 1.3 Critical Thinking by Lumen Learning, under CC BY NC SA.
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- 1.3: Critical Thinking is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Lumen Learning.
- Advanced Composition, Critical Thinking by Andrew Gurevich, Section 1.2 Creative and Critical Thinking, under CC BY
- 1.2: Week 2 - Creative and Critical Thinking is shared under a CC BY license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Andrew Gurevich (MHCC Library Press)
- 1.3: Critical thinking is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Melissa Ashman (KPUOpen) .
- 1.3: Glance at Critical Response- Rhetoric and Critical Thinking is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by OpenStax via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.