1. Filters, Barriers, and Impediments
Hindrances to critical thinking

2. Filters
Allow things that meet certain criteria to flow through while preventing others
Color or shape what comes through
Can be a useful sorting mechanism
Can be a feature of mindful and reflective thinking
But also screen out valuable input if they aren’t applied mindfully

3. Barriers Keep out rather than let in
May indicate the presence of non-critical, manmade, or enculturated thinking patterns
Can be useful in some circumstances
Require some kind of monitoring
Can be removed, sometimes with heavy lifting
Unless monitored carefully, usually a hindrance to mindful, reflective thinking

4. Impediments Often involve walls or total blockages
Often involve non-critical instead of critical standards of thinking, so they may inhibit mindful thinking
Often are reflexive and habitual, so they contradict or replace reflective thinking
Must be understood before they can be thought around

5. Nosich’s Impediments Pictures formed from the news media
Pictures formed from entertainment and pop culture
All-or-nothing thinking/black and white
Us vs. them
Stereotyping
Fear

6. Nosich’s Impediments Educational practices (see p. 21) Egocentrism
Developmental Thinking
Previous Commitments
Personal Experiences
Denial

7. The Difference Between. . .
Impediment-free thinking
Highly unusual
Not likely to happen when subject is significant
AND
Impediment-aware thinking
Means you are working mindfully
Lets you make allowances for your barriers and impediments