Cornerstone: Creating Success through Positive Change 6th edition Chapter Five: Think Copyright © 2011 by Pearson Education, Robert M. Sherfield & Patricia G. Moody, Cornerstone: Creating Success Through Positive Change, 6th Edition, Chapter 5, Slide 1

Critical Thinking Can Help You… Focus on relevant issues/problems Gather key information Understand and organize thoughts and facts Analyze problems and causes Mange priorities and develop plans Assist in problem-solving skills Help you control your emotional reactions Produce new knowledge Help you determine the accuracy of information Assist you in detecting bias and persuasion in argument Copyright © 2011 by Pearson Education, Robert M. Sherfield & Patricia G. Moody, Cornerstone: Creating Success Through Positive Change, 6th Edition, Chapter 5, Slide 2

Eight Steps to Critical Thinking STEP ONE: Understanding and Using Emotional Intelligence STEP TWO: Looking at Things Differently STEP THREE: Managing Information and Becoming Information Literate STEP FOUR: Asking Questions and Tolerating Uncertainty STEP FIVE: Identifying, Defining, Narrowing, and Solving Problems STEP SIX: Distinguishing Fact and Opinion STEP SEVEN: Seeking Truth in Arguments and Persuasion STEP EIGHT: Thinking Creatively and being Resourceful Copyright © 2011 by Pearson Education, Robert M. Sherfield & Patricia G. Moody, Cornerstone: Creating Success Through Positive Change, 6th Edition, Chapter 5, Slide 3

Did you have any thoughts or reactions? Should drugs and prostitution be legalized? Can affirmative action reverse discrimination? Should illegal aliens be given amnesty and made U.S. citizens? Should the legal drinking age be 18? Should terminally ill patients have the right to assisted suicide? Should prayer be allowed in public schools? Did you have any thoughts or reactions?

1. Understand & Use Emotional Intelligence Perceiving emotions Using emotions to facilitate thought Understanding emotions Managing emotions Pg. 101

Amygdala Part of the brain’s emotional system Protects us when we are afraid or upset Feelings before thought “Fight or flight?” based on previous experience Copyright © 2011 by Pearson Education, Robert M. Sherfield & Patricia G. Moody, Cornerstone: Creating Success Through Positive Change, 6th Edition, Chapter 5, Slide 5

2. Look at Things Differently Common issues with uncommon eyes Known problems with new skepticism Everyday conflicts with probing curiosity Daily challenges with attention to detail Clues and patterns

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3. Five Steps to Information Literacy Determine what information you need Establish where to find information and how much is needed Evaluate the reliability and accuracy of the information gathered Decide how to best use this information Determine how to document your sources clearly and precisely Copyright © 2011 by Pearson Education, Robert M. Sherfield & Patricia G. Moody, Cornerstone: Creating Success Through Positive Change, 6th Edition, Chapter 5, Slide 8

4. Tolerating Uncertainty Uncertainty causes humanity to move forward and create new knowledge, to keep asking questions and seeking truth, to let go and accept we will not know all the answers immediately Copyright © 2011 by Pearson Education, Robert M. Sherfield & Patricia G. Moody, Cornerstone: Creating Success Through Positive Change, 6th Edition, Chapter 5, Slide 10

5. Identify, Define, Narrow, Solve Problems Identify the symptoms Narrow the issue to find the root problem Research and develop a variety of solutions Evaluate all of the possible solutions Solve the problem and evaluate the results

6. Distinguish Fact v. Opinion A fact can be proven (objectively verified) An opinion has no objective proof To distinguish fact v. opinion: Take nothing for granted Consider who is making the assertion Listen for what is not said Copyright © 2011 by Pearson Education, Robert M. Sherfield & Patricia G. Moody, Cornerstone: Creating Success Through Positive Change, 6th Edition, Chapter 5, Slide 12

7. Seek Truth in Arguments & Persuasions -Fallacious Arguments Ad baculum Ad hominem Ad populum Ad verecundiam Bandwagon Scare tactic Straw argument Appeal to tradition Plain folks Patriotism Glittering generalities Pg. 115

8. Creative Thinking Aspect of critical thinking Producing something that is uniquely yours Requires internal resourcefulness Characteristics: compassion, courage, truth, dreams, risk-taking, innovation, competition, individuality, curiosity, perseverance Copyright © 2011 by Pearson Education, Robert M. Sherfield & Patricia G. Moody, Cornerstone: Creating Success Through Positive Change, 6th Edition, Chapter 5, Slide 14

Chapter Reflections Use credible, reliable sources Learn to distinguish fact from opinion Be flexible and avoid generalizations Use emotional intelligence and restraint Avoid stereotyping and prejudice and strive for objectivity Reserve judgment Do not assume – do the legwork and ask questions Distinguish symptoms from problems Copyright © 2011 by Pearson Education, Robert M. Sherfield & Patricia G. Moody, Cornerstone: Creating Success Through Positive Change, 6th Edition, Chapter 5, Slide 15