Critical thinking is the continuous application of impartial analysis in the search for objective truth.
Although its name indicates it criticism, Critical thinking is actually closer to…trial of truth” based on withholding judgments while evaluating existing and emerging data to form more accurate conclusions. Critical thinking is a ongoing process emphasizing the liquid and the continuous interpretation of information rather than the formation of static beliefs and opinions.
Research on cognitively demanding skills provides formal academic content that we can extend to less formal settings, including K-12 classrooms.
This study, for example, explores the critical role of critical thinking in improving decision-making in a variety of domains, including health, finance, and interpersonal relationships. The study highlights the importance of conducting rigorous and essential assessments of thinking, which can predict successful outcomes in complex scenarios.
Of course, this underscores the importance of integrating critical thinking development and measurement into educational frameworks to foster higher-level cognitive abilities that influence real-world problem-solving and decision-making.
Which critical thinking skills are most important?
Deciding which critical thinking skills are “most important” is not easy because prioritizing them in any order is less important than knowing what they are and when and how to use them.
However, to begin such a process, it may be helpful to identify a small sample of the broader set of thinking processes and skills that constitute the skill of critical thinking.
Let’s take a look at eight of the most important and essential critical thinking skills that everyone (students, teachers, and laypeople) should know.
8 Critical Thinking Skills Everyone Should Know
8 essential critical thinking skills
Analyze: To divide a whole into parts for examination
Example: A teacher asks students to break down a story into its basic components: characters, setting, plot, conflict, and resolution. This helps students understand how each part contributes to the overall narrative.
Assess: Evaluate the value or quality
Example: A teacher asks students to evaluate the effectiveness of two persuasive essays. Students evaluate which essay makes stronger arguments and why, taking into account factors such as evidence, tone, and logic.
Interpret” Explain the meaning or importance
Example: After reading a poem, the teacher asks students to interpret the symbolism of a recurring image, such as a river, by discussing what it might represent in the context of the poem.
Synthesize” Combine to form a coherent whole
Example: A professor asks students to write an essay combining information from multiple sources about the causes of the American Revolution, encouraging them to create a coherent argument that integrates diverse perspectives.
Infer: Drawing conclusions based on evidence
Example: A teacher presents students with a science experiment scenario and asks them to infer what might happen if a variable is changed, based on data they have already collected.
Ask
Formal or informal consultations to understand
Example: During a history lesson, the teacher encourages students to ask questions about the motivations of historical figures, which prompts deeper understanding and critical discussions about historical events.
Reflect
Remembering and interpreting experiences or ideas
Example: After completing a group project, a teacher asks students to reflect on what worked well and what could have been improved, which helps them better understand their collaborative process and learning experience.
Judge: Form an opinion or conclusion
Example: An instructor presents students with a scenario in which two solutions are proposed to solve a community problem, such as building a new park or community center. The instructor asks students to use their judgment to determine which solution would best meet the needs of the community, taking into account cost, accessibility, and potential benefits.
8 of the most important critical thinking skills
Quotes
Butler, HA (2024). Improving critical thinking skills through decision-based learning. J. Intell.12(2), Article 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence12020016
