Sherfield and Moody Cornerstones
Topic: Think
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Critical Thinking Can Help You…
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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
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Eight Steps to Critical Thinking
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Emotional Intelligence
• Coping with social and emotional demands
• Relates to:
– personal achievement
– career success
– leadership
– life satisfaction
• As powerful as I.Q.
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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
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Look at Things Differently
• Look at:
– 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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Types of Questions
• Questions of Fact – objective
• Questions of Preference – subjective
• Questions of Judgment – logic/evidence
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Problem Solving
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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
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Fallacious Arguments
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Ad baculum
Ad hominem
Ad populum
Ad verecundiam
Bandwagon
Scare tactic
Straw argument
Appeal to tradition
Plain folks
Patriotism
Glittering generalities
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Creative Thinking
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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
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Topic Reflections
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Use credible, reliable sources
Learn to distinguish fact from opinion
Be flexible and avoid generalizations
Use emotional intelligence and restraint
Avoid stereotyping and prejudice
Reserve judgment
Do not assume – do research and ask questions
Distinguish symptoms from problems
Copyright © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc.
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