©2003 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. Study Skills Topic 5 Critical Thinking PowerPoint by JoAnn Yaworski

©2003 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. Making Decisions & Solving Problems  How can you make good decisions?  How do you analyze a problem?  Why should you identify a wide range of solutions?  How can you evaluate possible solutions?  What factors should be considered in selecting a solution?

©2003 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. Problem Solving Requires... Critical Thinking  careful analysis of the situation  ways to resolve it

©2003 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. Decision Making  Decision making is a process of thinking critically about choices.  A decision means you will take a specific course of action. Action oriented Points to an outcome

©2003 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. Types of Decisions  Routine decisions  Impulsive decisions  Reasoned decisions

©2003 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. Routine Decisions  Routine decisions are safe, habitual choices that make your life run smoothly and eliminate the need to make choices constantly.  Example: You always order a pizza with cheese, pepperoni, and mushrooms.

©2003 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. Impulsive Decisions  Impulsive decisions are instant choices that are not well thought out or planned.  Example: At the last minute, you decide to cut class and take a ride to the lake with your friends.

©2003 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. Reasoned Decisions  Reasoned decisions are choices in which alternatives are identified and weighed in light of predicted outcomes.  Example: You decided to take child psychology next semester because it is required in your major and you have taken the prerequisites.

©2003 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. Reasoned Decisions  Consider risks.  Predict short-term outcomes.  Predict long-term outcomes.  Evaluate the consequences in terms of your life’s goals.  Make a conscious choice based on your predictions.

©2003 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. A Model for Problem Solving Goal state Present state Solution Paths

©2003 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. Problem Solving Processes  Step 1: Specify the Problem  Step 2: Analyze the Problem  Step 3: Formulate Possible Solution Paths  Step 4: Evaluate Possible Solution Paths  Step 5: Choose a Solution  Step 6: Evaluate Your Solution

©2003 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. Step 1: Specify the Problem  State the problem  Specify the problem in a way that allows you to solve it.  Express the problem verbally or in writing.  Focus on specifics.

©2003 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. Step 2: Analyze the Problem  Seek other perspectives.  Be flexible in your analysis.  Consider various strands of impact.  Brainstorm all possibilities.  Research for more information.

©2003 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. Step 3: Formulate Possible Solution Paths  Brainstorm for possible solutions.  Be creative.  Consider similar problems and their solutions.

©2003 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. Step 4: Evaluate Solution Paths  Weigh the advantages of each solution.  Weigh the disadvantages of each solution.  Eliminate impractical solutions.  Consider immediate results of each solution.  Consider long-term results of each solution.  Map out details for each possible solution.

©2003 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. Step 5: Choose a Solution Which is…  compatible with your life goals.  compatible with our priorities.  the least risky.  the most practical.

©2003 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. Step 6: Evaluate Your Solution  Look for evidence that you solution is working.  If it is not working, reconsider the problem.  Choose an alternative solution.

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