what is a synonym of critical thinking

Top 10 Positive & Impactful Synonyms for “Critical Thinking” (With Meanings & Examples)

By Alexis Ingram

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Analytical reasoning, reflective judgment, and thoughtful critique—positive and impactful synonyms for “critical thinking” enhance your vocabulary and help you foster a mindset geared toward making a positive impact. So, we had to ask: What are the top ten positive & impactful synonyms for “critical thinking”?

The top 10 positive & impactful synonyms for “critical thinking” are analytical reasoning, insightful analysis, reflective judgment, strategic thought, problem-solving, logical inquiry, independent thinking, objective evaluation, rational analysis, and thoughtful critique. Using these synonyms helps you enhance both your communication and psychological resilience in several meaningful ways.

In the table below, you can see all these top ten synonyms including their descriptions, why they are positive and impactful synonyms for “critical thinking,” and example sentences that highlight how you can use each of these. We’ll then also share ten benefits of why you should use these synonyms, ten interesting facts about the word “critical thinking,” and a brief history of the development of our alphabet.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | ‍ O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Here Are the Top 10 Positive & Impactful Synonyms for “Critical Thinking”

Our list of positive & impactful synonyms for “critical thinking” help you expand your vocabulary and enhance both your communication and psychological resilience in several meaningful ways ( you can read more about it in the next section ).

That’s why it’s so important to focus on synonyms that can be used in a positive and impactful way.

Critical Thinking : the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment Oxford Dictionary

Our top ten synonyms for “critical thinking” exemplify the beauty of our language—their meaning is not just fixed but can be shaped by the context they are used in. 

10 Benefits of Using More Positive & Impactful Synonyms

Our positive & impactful synonyms for “critical thinking” help you expand your vocabulary and enhance both your communication and psychological resilience in several meaningful ways:

• Encouraging Positive Framing : Using positive synonyms allows for a more optimistic and affirmative way of expressing thoughts. This can influence not only the speaker’s or writer’s mindset but also positively impact the audience’s perception and reaction.
• Improving Emotional Intelligence : Learning different positive synonyms helps in accurately expressing emotions. This aids in emotional intelligence, as one can more precisely convey feelings and understand the emotions of others.
• Enhancing Persuasive Communication : In persuasive writing and speaking, using positive synonyms can be more effective in convincing an audience, as people generally respond better to positive language.
• Broadening Emotional Vocabulary : A range of positive synonyms enriches your emotional vocabulary. It’s one thing to say you’re “happy” and another to express that you’re “elated,” “joyful,” or “content.” Each word carries a unique emotional hue.
• Creating a Positive Atmosphere : The use of positive language can create a more constructive and encouraging atmosphere in both personal and professional settings. This can lead to better teamwork, more effective communication, and improved interpersonal relationships.
• Enhancing Creative Writing : For those engaged in creative writing, a repertoire of positive synonyms can help in vividly depicting scenes, characters, and emotions, making the narrative more engaging and lively.
• Improving Mental Health and Well-being : Regularly using and thinking in terms of positive words can influence one’s mental state and outlook on life. Positive language has been linked to greater well-being and a more optimistic outlook.
• Improving Cognitive Flexibility : Expanding your vocabulary with positive synonyms enhances your cognitive flexibility. This means you become more adept at thinking creatively and adapting your language use to different situations. The mental exercise involved in learning and using a variety of positive words can also contribute to overall cognitive health, keeping your mind sharp and responsive.
• Building Social Skills and Empathy : When you have a variety of positive words at your disposal, you’re better equipped to offer compliments, encouragement, and empathetic responses in social interactions.
• Facilitating Conflict Resolution : In situations of conflict, the use of positive language can help de-escalate tension. Having a range of positive synonyms allows for more constructive and diplomatic communication.

Overall, your use of positive synonyms not only broadens your vocabulary but also positively influences your thought processes, emotional expression, and interpersonal interactions.

10 Interesting Facts About the Phrase “Critical Thinking”

Let’s take a step back and have a look at some interesting facts about the word “critical thinking” .

• Etymological Roots : The term “critical thinking” combines “critical,” from the Greek “kritikos,” meaning “able to discern,” and “thinking,” which pertains to the process of considering or reasoning about something. This combination underscores the concept’s foundation in discernment and analysis.
• Historical Development : Although the concept of critical thinking can be traced back to Socrates’ method of questioning over 2,500 years ago, the formal term “critical thinking” gained prominence in educational and philosophical discourse in the 20th century.
• Socratic Method : Socrates is often considered the father of critical thinking due to his development of the Socratic Method, which involves asking systematic questions to challenge assumptions and stimulate critical thinking.
• Bloom’s Taxonomy : In 1956, Benjamin Bloom and others developed Bloom’s Taxonomy, a framework for categorizing educational goals that places critical thinking at the highest level, emphasizing its importance in learning.
• John Dewey : American philosopher and educator John Dewey is another pivotal figure in the development of the concept of critical thinking, advocating for it as an essential component of education and democracy in the early 20 th century.
• Cognitive Psychology : Research in cognitive psychology has significantly influenced the understanding of critical thinking, revealing it as a complex process that involves various cognitive skills, including analysis, evaluation, and inference.
• Critical Thinking Tests : There are standardized tests specifically designed to assess critical thinking abilities, such as the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal and the Cornell Critical Thinking Tests, underscoring its measurable nature.
• Global Education : Educational systems worldwide have increasingly recognized the importance of critical thinking, incorporating it into curricula and standards to prepare students for the challenges of the modern world.
• Interdisciplinary Relevance : Critical thinking is valued across disciplines, from the sciences and humanities to business and law, demonstrating its universal applicability in problem-solving and decision-making.
• Technology and Critical Thinking : The rise of digital media has both challenged and facilitated critical thinking, with the vast availability of information necessitating enhanced skills in analysis and evaluation to discern truth from misinformation.

A Brief History of Our Alphabet

The story of our alphabet has a rich and compelling history , beginning with ancient civilizations and carrying forward into the present day.

The history of our modern alphabet is a fascinating journey that spans several millennia and cultures. It’s commonly referred to as the Latin or Roman alphabet, and here’s a brief overview of its evolution:

• Phoenician Alphabet (circa 1050 BCE) : The story begins with the Phoenician alphabet, one of the oldest writing systems known to use a one-to-one correspondence between sounds and symbols. This Semitic alphabet had about 22 consonants, but no vowels, and was primarily used for trade.
• Greek Alphabet (circa 800 BCE) : The Greeks borrowed and adapted the Phoenician script. Crucially, they introduced vowels, making it one of the first true alphabets where each symbol represented a distinct sound (both vowel and consonant). The Greek alphabet had a significant influence on the development of other alphabets.
• Etruscan Alphabet (circa 700 BCE) : The Etruscan civilization in Italy adapted the Greek alphabet to their own language. While Etruscan was largely replaced by Latin, their version of the alphabet was a key predecessor to the Roman one.
• Latin Alphabet (circa 700 BCE – Present) : The Latin alphabet emerged from the adaptation of the Etruscan script. Ancient Rome used this alphabet, and it spread across Europe as the Roman Empire expanded. The original Latin alphabet did not contain the letters J, U, and W. These were added much later along with other modifications to suit different languages and phonetic needs.
• Modern Variations : Today, the Latin alphabet is the most widely used alphabetic writing system in the world. It has undergone various changes to accommodate different languages and sounds. For instance, English—among other languages—added letters like ‘J’, ‘U’, and ‘W’, while other languages incorporate additional characters like ‘Ñ’ in Spanish or ‘Ç’ in French.

This evolution reflects not just linguistic changes but also cultural and historical shifts, as the alphabet was adapted by different societies across centuries.

Final Thoughts

Expanding your vocabulary is akin to broadening your intellectual horizons and enhancing your capacity to express your thoughts and emotions with precision. By embracing additional synonyms for “critical thinking,” you’re not just learning new terms, but you’re also gaining nuanced ways to communicate positivity and impact.

The more words you have at your disposal, the more accurately and vividly you can paint your thoughts into speech and writing. So, by growing your vocabulary, especially with positive and impactful words, you’re empowering yourself to engage more effectively and inspiringly with the world around you.

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• What Is Critical Thinking? | Definition & Examples

What Is Critical Thinking? | Definition & Examples

Published on May 30, 2022 by Eoghan Ryan . Revised on May 31, 2023.

Critical thinking is the ability to effectively analyze information and form a judgment .

To think critically, you must be aware of your own biases and assumptions when encountering information, and apply consistent standards when evaluating sources .

Critical thinking skills help you to:

• Identify credible sources
• Evaluate and respond to arguments
• Assess alternative viewpoints
• Test hypotheses against relevant criteria

Table of contents

Why is critical thinking important, critical thinking examples, how to think critically, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about critical thinking.

Critical thinking is important for making judgments about sources of information and forming your own arguments. It emphasizes a rational, objective, and self-aware approach that can help you to identify credible sources and strengthen your conclusions.

Critical thinking is important in all disciplines and throughout all stages of the research process . The types of evidence used in the sciences and in the humanities may differ, but critical thinking skills are relevant to both.

In academic writing , critical thinking can help you to determine whether a source:

• Is free from research bias
• Provides evidence to support its research findings
• Considers alternative viewpoints

Outside of academia, critical thinking goes hand in hand with information literacy to help you form opinions rationally and engage independently and critically with popular media.

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Critical thinking can help you to identify reliable sources of information that you can cite in your research paper . It can also guide your own research methods and inform your own arguments.

Outside of academia, critical thinking can help you to be aware of both your own and others’ biases and assumptions.

Academic examples

However, when you compare the findings of the study with other current research, you determine that the results seem improbable. You analyze the paper again, consulting the sources it cites.

You notice that the research was funded by the pharmaceutical company that created the treatment. Because of this, you view its results skeptically and determine that more independent research is necessary to confirm or refute them. Example: Poor critical thinking in an academic context You’re researching a paper on the impact wireless technology has had on developing countries that previously did not have large-scale communications infrastructure. You read an article that seems to confirm your hypothesis: the impact is mainly positive. Rather than evaluating the research methodology, you accept the findings uncritically.

Nonacademic examples

However, you decide to compare this review article with consumer reviews on a different site. You find that these reviews are not as positive. Some customers have had problems installing the alarm, and some have noted that it activates for no apparent reason.

You revisit the original review article. You notice that the words “sponsored content” appear in small print under the article title. Based on this, you conclude that the review is advertising and is therefore not an unbiased source. Example: Poor critical thinking in a nonacademic context You support a candidate in an upcoming election. You visit an online news site affiliated with their political party and read an article that criticizes their opponent. The article claims that the opponent is inexperienced in politics. You accept this without evidence, because it fits your preconceptions about the opponent.

There is no single way to think critically. How you engage with information will depend on the type of source you’re using and the information you need.

However, you can engage with sources in a systematic and critical way by asking certain questions when you encounter information. Like the CRAAP test , these questions focus on the currency , relevance , authority , accuracy , and purpose of a source of information.

When encountering information, ask:

• Who is the author? Are they an expert in their field?
• What do they say? Is their argument clear? Can you summarize it?
• When did they say this? Is the source current?
• Where is the information published? Is it an academic article? Is it peer-reviewed ?
• Why did the author publish it? What is their motivation?
• How do they make their argument? Is it backed up by evidence? Does it rely on opinion, speculation, or appeals to emotion ? Do they address alternative arguments?

Critical thinking also involves being aware of your own biases, not only those of others. When you make an argument or draw your own conclusions, you can ask similar questions about your own writing:

• Am I only considering evidence that supports my preconceptions?
• Is my argument expressed clearly and backed up with credible sources?
• Would I be convinced by this argument coming from someone else?

If you want to know more about ChatGPT, AI tools , citation , and plagiarism , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

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• ChatGPT citations
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 Plagiarism

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Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

Critical thinking skills include the ability to:

You can assess information and arguments critically by asking certain questions about the source. You can use the CRAAP test , focusing on the currency , relevance , authority , accuracy , and purpose of a source of information.

Ask questions such as:

• Who is the author? Are they an expert?
• How do they make their argument? Is it backed up by evidence?

A credible source should pass the CRAAP test  and follow these guidelines:

• The information should be up to date and current.
• The author and publication should be a trusted authority on the subject you are researching.
• The sources the author cited should be easy to find, clear, and unbiased.
• For a web source, the URL and layout should signify that it is trustworthy.

Information literacy refers to a broad range of skills, including the ability to find, evaluate, and use sources of information effectively.

Being information literate means that you:

• Know how to find credible sources
• Use relevant sources to inform your research
• Understand what constitutes plagiarism
• Know how to cite your sources correctly

Confirmation bias is the tendency to search, interpret, and recall information in a way that aligns with our pre-existing values, opinions, or beliefs. It refers to the ability to recollect information best when it amplifies what we already believe. Relatedly, we tend to forget information that contradicts our opinions.

Although selective recall is a component of confirmation bias, it should not be confused with recall bias.

On the other hand, recall bias refers to the differences in the ability between study participants to recall past events when self-reporting is used. This difference in accuracy or completeness of recollection is not related to beliefs or opinions. Rather, recall bias relates to other factors, such as the length of the recall period, age, and the characteristics of the disease under investigation.

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Meaning of critical thinking in English

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• adjudication
• interpretable
• interpretive
• interpretively
• reinterpret
• reinterpretation
• reinvestigate
• reinvestigation

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critical thinking

[ krit -i-k uh l thing -king ]

The questions are intended to develop your critical thinking.

Word History and Origins

Origin of critical thinking 1

Example Sentences

Being a pilot requires a particular reliance on critical thinking, preparing for a variety of situations and keeping calm and mission-focused, all of which are incredible skills to bring into a new business.

For one, our education system can equip people with critical thinking skills, media literacy and an understanding of the forces at work when people make truth judgments.

They need to be well-prepared and informed and capable of critical thinking.

It’s not possible to entirely shut out what they’re saying, but it’s best to do your own critical thinking.

What I worry about is that people aren’t learning critical thinking skills.

In court, labelers could argue that they were just trying to give students choices, while encouraging critical thinking.

For those in the movement, this means cultivating an attachment to Israel while fostering critical thinking.

A little debate and critical thinking are good for everyone.

But his timid foray into critical thinking brings swift and severe punishment.

The shift is most evident in our schools, where critical thinking has replaced rote learning as the central goal of education.

Ordinary propaganda, for instance, is quite ineffective on people trained in critical thinking.

So far as we conduct each of these processes in the light of the other, we get valid discovery or verified critical thinking.

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critical thinking

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• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Critical Thinking
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• Oklahoma State University Pressbooks - Critical Thinking - Introduction to Critical Thinking
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critical thinking , in educational theory, mode of cognition using deliberative reasoning and impartial scrutiny of information to arrive at a possible solution to a problem. From the perspective of educators, critical thinking encompasses both a set of logical skills that can be taught and a disposition toward reflective open inquiry that can be cultivated . The term critical thinking was coined by American philosopher and educator John Dewey in the book How We Think (1910) and was adopted by the progressive education movement as a core instructional goal that offered a dynamic modern alternative to traditional educational methods such as rote memorization.

Critical thinking is characterized by a broad set of related skills usually including the abilities to

• break down a problem into its constituent parts to reveal its underlying logic and assumptions
• recognize and account for one’s own biases in judgment and experience
• collect and assess relevant evidence from either personal observations and experimentation or by gathering external information
• adjust and reevaluate one’s own thinking in response to what one has learned
• form a reasoned assessment in order to propose a solution to a problem or a more accurate understanding of the topic at hand

Theorists have noted that such skills are only valuable insofar as a person is inclined to use them. Consequently, they emphasize that certain habits of mind are necessary components of critical thinking. This disposition may include curiosity, open-mindedness, self-awareness, empathy , and persistence.

Although there is a generally accepted set of qualities that are associated with critical thinking, scholarly writing about the term has highlighted disagreements over its exact definition and whether and how it differs from related concepts such as problem solving . In addition, some theorists have insisted that critical thinking be regarded and valued as a process and not as a goal-oriented skill set to be used to solve problems. Critical-thinking theory has also been accused of reflecting patriarchal assumptions about knowledge and ways of knowing that are inherently biased against women.

Dewey, who also used the term reflective thinking , connected critical thinking to a tradition of rational inquiry associated with modern science. From the turn of the 20th century, he and others working in the overlapping fields of psychology , philosophy , and educational theory sought to rigorously apply the scientific method to understand and define the process of thinking. They conceived critical thinking to be related to the scientific method but more open, flexible, and self-correcting; instead of a recipe or a series of steps, critical thinking would be a wider set of skills, patterns, and strategies that allow someone to reason through an intellectual topic, constantly reassessing assumptions and potential explanations in order to arrive at a sound judgment and understanding.

In the progressive education movement in the United States , critical thinking was seen as a crucial component of raising citizens in a democratic society. Instead of imparting a particular series of lessons or teaching only canonical subject matter, theorists thought that teachers should train students in how to think. As critical thinkers, such students would be equipped to be productive and engaged citizens who could cooperate and rationally overcome differences inherent in a pluralistic society.

Beginning in the 1970s and ’80s, critical thinking as a key outcome of school and university curriculum leapt to the forefront of U.S. education policy. In an atmosphere of renewed Cold War competition and amid reports of declining U.S. test scores, there were growing fears that the quality of education in the United States was falling and that students were unprepared. In response, a concerted effort was made to systematically define curriculum goals and implement standardized testing regimens , and critical-thinking skills were frequently included as a crucially important outcome of a successful education. A notable event in this movement was the release of the 1980 report of the Rockefeller Commission on the Humanities that called for the U.S. Department of Education to include critical thinking on its list of “basic skills.” Three years later the California State University system implemented a policy that required every undergraduate student to complete a course in critical thinking.

Critical thinking continued to be put forward as a central goal of education in the early 21st century. Its ubiquity in the language of education policy and in such guidelines as the Common Core State Standards in the United States generated some criticism that the concept itself was both overused and ill-defined. In addition, an argument was made by teachers, theorists, and others that educators were not being adequately trained to teach critical thinking.

Critical Thinking in Reading and Composition

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Critical thinking is the process of independently analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information as a guide to behavior and beliefs.

The American Philosophical Association has defined critical thinking as "the process of purposeful, self-regulatory judgment. The process gives reasoned consideration to evidence , contexts , conceptualizations, methods, and criteria" (1990). Critical thinking is sometimes broadly defined as "thinking about thinking."

Critical thinking skills include the ability to interpret, verify, and reason, all of which involve applying the principles of logic . The process of using critical thinking to guide writing is called critical writing .

Observations

• " Critical Thinking is essential as a tool of inquiry. As such, Critical Thinking is a liberating force in education and a powerful resource in one’s personal and civic life. While not synonymous with good thinking, Critical Thinking is a pervasive and self-rectifying human phenomenon. The ideal critical thinker is habitually inquisitive, well-informed, trustful of reason, open-minded, flexible, fair-minded in evaluation, honest in facing personal biases, prudent in making judgments, willing to reconsider, clear about issues, orderly in complex matters, diligent in seeking relevant information, reasonable in the selection of criteria, focused in inquiry, and persistent in seeking results which are as precise as the subject and the circumstances of inquiry permit." (American Philosophical Association, "Consensus Statement Regarding Critical Thinking," 1990)
• Thought and Language "In order to understand reasoning [...], it is necessary to pay careful attention to the relationship between thought and language . The relationship seems to be straightforward: thought is expressed in and through language. But this claim, while true, is an oversimplification. People often fail to say what they mean. Everyone has had the experience of having their \ misunderstood by others. And we all use words not merely to express our thoughts but also to shape them. Developing our critical thinking skills, therefore, requires an understanding of the ways in which words can (and often fail to) express our thoughts." (William Hughes and Jonathan Lavery, Critical Thinking: An Introduction to the Basic Skills , 4th ed. Broadview, 2004)
• Dispositions That Foster or Impede Critical thinking "Dispositions that foster critical thinking include [a] facility in perceiving irony , ambiguity , and multiplicity of meanings or points of view; the development of open-mindedness, autonomous thought, and reciprocity (Piaget's term for the ability to empathize with other individuals, social groups, nationalities, ideologies, etc.). Dispositions that act as impediments to critical thinking include defense mechanisms (such as absolutism or primary certitude, denial, projection), culturally conditioned assumptions, authoritarianism, egocentrism, and ethnocentrism, rationalization, compartmentalization, stereotyping and prejudice." (Donald Lazere, "Invention, Critical Thinking, and the Analysis of Political Rhetoric." Perspectives on Rhetorical Invention , ed. by Janet M. Atwill and Janice M. Lauer. University of Tennessee Press, 2002)
• Critical Thinking and Composing - "[T]he most intensive and demanding tool for eliciting sustained critical thought is a well-designed writing assignment on a subject matter problem. The underlying premise is that writing is closely linked with thinking and that in presenting students with significant problems to write about—and in creating an environment that demands their best writing—we can promote their general cognitive and intellectual growth. When we make students struggle with their writing, we are making them struggle with thought itself. Emphasizing writing and critical thinking , therefore, generally increases the academic rigor of a course. Often the struggle of writing, linked as it is to the struggle of thinking and to the growth of a person's intellectual powers, awakens students to the real nature of learning." (John C. Bean,  Engaging Ideas: The Professor's Guide to Integrating Writing, Critical Thinking, and Active Learning in the Classroom , 2nd ed. Wiley, 2011) - "Finding a fresh approach to a writing assignment means that you must see the subject without the blinders of preconception. When people expect to see a thing in a certain way, it usually appears that way, whether or not that is its true image. Similarly, thinking based on prefabricated ideas produces writing that says nothing new, that offers nothing important to the reader. As a writer, you have a responsibility to go beyond the expected views and present your subject so that the reader sees it with fresh eyes. . . . [C]ritical thinking is a fairly systematic method of defining a problem and synthesizing knowledge about it, thereby creating the perspective you need to develop new ideas. . . . " Classical rhetoricians used a series of three questions to help focus an argument . Today these questions can still help writers understand the topic about which they are writing. An sit? (Is the problem a fact?); Quid sit (What is the definition of the problem?); and Quale sit? (What kind of problem is it?). By asking these questions, writers see their subject from many new angles before they begin to narrow the focus to one particular aspect." (Kristin R. Woolever, About Writing: A Rhetoric for Advanced Writers . Wadsworth, 1991)

Logical Fallacies

Ad Misericordiam

Appeal to Authority

Appeal to Force

Appeal to Humor

Appeal to Ignorance

Appeal to the People

Begging the Question

Circular Argument

Complex Question

Contradictory Premises

Dicto Simpliciter , Equivocation

False Analogy

False Dilemma

Gambler's Fallacy

Hasty Generalization

Name-Calling

Non Sequitur

Poisoning the Well

Red Herring

Slippery Slope

Stacking the Deck

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What Is Critical Thinking? | Meaning & Examples

Critical thinking is the process of analyzing information logically and overcoming assumptions, biases, and logical fallacies. Developing critical thinking skills allows us to evaluate information as objectively as possible and reach well-founded conclusions.

Critical thinking example

Thinking critically is a crucial part of academic success, professional development, civic engagement, and personal decision-making.

Table of contents

What is critical thinking, why is critical thinking important, critical thinking strategies.

Critical thinking is the process of evaluating information and arguments in a disciplined and systematic way. It involves questioning assumptions, assessing evidence, and using logical reasoning to form well-reasoned judgments.

Key critical thinking skills:

• Avoiding unfounded assumptions
• Identifying and countering biases
• Recognizing and refuting logical fallacies

These practices enable us to make informed decisions, analyze evidence objectively, consider multiple perspectives, reflect on our own biases, and seek reliable sources.

Critical thinking is enhanced by the deliberate study of biases, logical fallacies, and the different forms of reasoning:

• Deductive reasoning: Drawing specific conclusions from general premises
• Inductive reasoning: Generalizing from specific observations
• Analogical reasoning: Drawing parallels between similar situations
• Abductive reasoning: Inferring the most likely explanation from incomplete evidence

When assessing sources, critical thinking requires evaluating several factors:

• Credibility: Check the author’s qualifications and the publication’s reputation.
• Evidence: Verify that the information is supported by data and references.
• Bias: Identify any potential biases or conflicts of interest.
• Currency: Ensure the information is up-to-date and relevant.
• Purpose: Understand the motivation behind the source and whether it aims to inform, persuade, or sell.

Critical thinking is crucial to decision-making and problem-solving in many domains of life. Social media disinformation and irresponsible uses of AI make it more important than ever to be able to distinguish between credible information and misleading or false content.

Developing critical thinking skills is an essential part of fostering independent thinking, allowing us to:

• Make informed decisions
• Solve complex problems
• Evaluate the logic of arguments

In the process of developing these skills, we become less susceptible to biases, fallacies, and propaganda.

Examples of critical thinking

Critical thinking is an essential part of consuming any form of media, including news, marketing, entertainment, and social media. Media platforms are commonly used to promote biased or manipulative messages, often in a subtle way.

Critical thinking in media example

A news segment claims eating chocolate daily improves cognitive function. After reading more about the research, you find the study had a small sample size and was funded by a chocolate company, indicating bias. This leads you to conclude the claim is unreliable.

Critical thinking is fundamental in logic, math, law, science, and other academic and professional domains. The scientific method is a quintessential example of systematized critical thinking.

Critical thinking in science example

• Formulate a hypothesis.
• Design experiments.
• Analyze data.
• Draw conclusions.
• Revise the hypothesis if necessary.

Academic research requires advanced critical thinking skills.

Critical thinking academic example

• Evaluating the methodology of each study to determine their reliability and validity
• Checking for potential biases, such as funding sources or conflicts of interest
• Comparing the sample sizes and demographics of the studies to understand the context of their findings
• Synthesizing the results, highlighting common trends and discrepancies, and considering the limitations of each study

Critical thinking enhances informed decision-making by equipping us to recognize biases, identify logical fallacies, evaluate evidence, consider alternative perspectives, and learn to identify credible sources.

Key strategies:

• Recognize biases.
• Identify logical fallacies.
• Evaluate sources and evidence.
• Consider alternative perspectives.

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Definition of critical thinking noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

critical thinking

• The school encourages critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Students are encouraged to develop critical thinking instead of accepting opinions without questioning them.
• The book shows you how to apply critical thinking to your studies.
• Critical thinking skills enable students to evaluate information.

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What is Critical Thinking?

Critical Thinking Definition

September 2, 2005, by The Critical Thinking Co. Staff

The Critical Thinking Co.™ "Critical thinking is the identification and evaluation of evidence to guide decision making. A critical thinker uses broad in-depth analysis of evidence to make decisions and communicate their beliefs clearly and accurately."

Other Definitions of Critical Thinking: Robert H. Ennis , Author of The Cornell Critical Thinking Tests "Critical thinking is reasonable, reflective thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe and do."

A SUPER-STREAMLINED CONCEPTION OF CRITICAL THINKING Robert H. Ennis, 6/20/02

Assuming that critical thinking is reasonable reflective thinking focused on deciding what to believe or do, a critical thinker:

1. Is open-minded and mindful of alternatives 2. Tries to be well-informed 3. Judges well the credibility of sources 4. Identifies conclusions, reasons, and assumptions 5. Judges well the quality of an argument, including the acceptability of its reasons, assumptions, and evidence 6. Can well develop and defend a reasonable position 7. Asks appropriate clarifying questions 8. Formulates plausible hypotheses; plans experiments well 9. Defines terms in a way appropriate for the context 10. Draws conclusions when warranted, but with caution 11. Integrates all items in this list when deciding what to believe or do

Critical Thinkers are disposed to:

1. Care that their beliefs be true, and that their decisions be justified; that is, care to "get it right" to the extent possible. This includes the dispositions to

a. Seek alternative hypotheses, explanations, conclusions, plans, sources, etc., and be open to them b. Endorse a position to the extent that, but only to the extent that, it is justified by the information that is available c. Be well informed d. Consider seriously other points of view than their own

2. Care to present a position honestly and clearly, theirs as well as others'. This includes the dispositions to

a. Be clear about the intended meaning of what is said, written, or otherwise communicated, seeking as much precision as the situation requires b. Determine, and maintain focus on, the conclusion or question c. Seek and offer reasons d. Take into account the total situation e. Be reflectively aware of their own basic beliefs

3. Care about the dignity and worth of every person (a correlative disposition). This includes the dispositions to

a. Discover and listen to others' view and reasons b. Avoid intimidating or confusing others with their critical thinking prowess, taking into account others' feelings and level of understanding c. Be concerned about others' welfare

Critical Thinking Abilities:

Ideal critical thinkers have the ability to (The first three items involve elementary clarification.)

1. Focus on a question

a. Identify or formulate a question b. Identify or formulate criteria for judging possible answers c. Keep the situation in mind

2. Analyze arguments

a. Identify conclusions b. Identify stated reasons c. Identify unstated reasons d. Identify and handle irrelevance e. See the structure of an argument f. Summarize

3. Ask and answer questions of clarification and/or challenge, such as,

a. Why? b. What is your main point? c. What do you mean by…? d. What would be an example? e. What would not be an example (though close to being one)? f. How does that apply to this case (describe a case, which might well appear to be a counter example)? g. What difference does it make? h. What are the facts? i. Is this what you are saying: ____________? j. Would you say some more about that?

(The next two involve the basis for the decision.)

4. Judge the credibility of a source. Major criteria (but not necessary conditions):

a. Expertise b. Lack of conflict of interest c. Agreement among sources d. Reputation e. Use of established procedures f. Known risk to reputation g. Ability to give reasons h. Careful habits

5. Observe, and judge observation reports. Major criteria (but not necessary conditions, except for the first):

a. Minimal inferring involved b. Short time interval between observation and report c. Report by the observer, rather than someone else (that is, the report is not hearsay) d. Provision of records. e. Corroboration f. Possibility of corroboration g. Good access h. Competent employment of technology, if technology is useful i. Satisfaction by observer (and reporter, if a different person) of the credibility criteria in Ability # 4 above.

(The next three involve inference.)

6. Deduce, and judge deduction

a. Class logic b. Conditional logic c. Interpretation of logical terminology in statements, including (1) Negation and double negation (2) Necessary and sufficient condition language (3) Such words as "only", "if and only if", "or", "some", "unless", "not both".

7. Induce, and judge induction

a. To generalizations. Broad considerations: (1) Typicality of data, including sampling where appropriate (2) Breadth of coverage (3) Acceptability of evidence b. To explanatory conclusions (including hypotheses) (1) Major types of explanatory conclusions and hypotheses: (a) Causal claims (b) Claims about the beliefs and attitudes of people (c) Interpretation of authors’ intended meanings (d) Historical claims that certain things happened (including criminal accusations) (e) Reported definitions (f) Claims that some proposition is an unstated reason that the person actually used (2) Characteristic investigative activities (a) Designing experiments, including planning to control variables (b) Seeking evidence and counter-evidence (c) Seeking other possible explanations (3) Criteria, the first five being essential, the sixth being desirable (a) The proposed conclusion would explain the evidence (b) The proposed conclusion is consistent with all known facts (c) Competitive alternative explanations are inconsistent with facts (d) The evidence on which the hypothesis depends is acceptable. (e) A legitimate effort should have been made to uncover counter-evidence (f) The proposed conclusion seems plausible

8. Make and judge value judgments: Important factors:

a. Background facts b. Consequences of accepting or rejecting the judgment c. Prima facie application of acceptable principles d. Alternatives e. Balancing, weighing, deciding

(The next two abilities involve advanced clarification.)

9. Define terms and judge definitions. Three dimensions are form, strategy, and content.

a. Form. Some useful forms are: (1) Synonym (2) Classification (3) Range (4) Equivalent expression (5) Operational (6) Example and non-example b. Definitional strategy (1) Acts (a) Report a meaning (b) Stipulate a meaning (c) Express a position on an issue (including "programmatic" and "persuasive" definitions) (2) Identifying and handling equivocation c. Content of the definition

10. Attribute unstated assumptions (an ability that belongs under both clarification and, in a way, inference)

(The next two abilities involve supposition and integration.)

11. Consider and reason from premises, reasons, assumptions, positions, and other propositions with which they disagree or about which they are in doubt -- without letting the disagreement or doubt interfere with their thinking ("suppositional thinking")

12. Integrate the other abilities and dispositions in making and defending a decision

(The first twelve abilities are constitutive abilities. The next three are auxiliary critical thinking abilities: Having them, though very helpful in various ways, is not constitutive of being a critical thinker.)

13. Proceed in an orderly manner appropriate to the situation. For example:

a. Follow problem solving steps b. Monitor one's own thinking (that is, engage in metacognition) c. Employ a reasonable critical thinking checklist

14. Be sensitive to the feelings, level of knowledge, and degree of sophistication of others

15. Employ appropriate rhetorical strategies in discussion and presentation (orally and in writing), including employing and reacting to "fallacy" labels in an appropriate manner.

Examples of fallacy labels are "circularity," "bandwagon," "post hoc," "equivocation," "non sequitur," and "straw person."

Dewey, John Critical thinking is "active, persistent, and careful consideration of any belief or supposed form of knowledge in the light of the grounds that support it and the further conclusions to which it tends (Dewey 1933: 118)."

Glaser (1) an attitude of being disposed to consider in a thoughtful way the problems and subjects that come within the range of one's experiences, (2) knowledge of the methods of logical inquiry and reasoning, and (3) some skill in applying those methods. Critical thinking calls for a persistent effort to examine any belief or supposed form of knowledge in the light of the evidence that supports it and the further conclusions to which it tends. (Glaser 1941, pp. 5-6).

Abilities include: "(a) to recognize problems, (b) to find workable means for meeting those problems, (c) to gather and marshal pertinent information, (d) to recognize unstated assumptions and values, (e) to comprehend and use language with accuracy, clarity and discrimination, (f) to interpret data, (g) to appraise evidence and evaluate statements, (h) to recognize the existence of logical relationships between propositions, (i) to draw warranted conclusions and generalizations, (j) to put to test the generalizations and conclusions at which one arrives, (k) to reconstruct one's patterns of beliefs on the basis of wider experience; and (l) to render accurate judgments about specific things and qualities in everyday life." (p.6)

MCC General Education Initiatives "Critical thinking includes the ability to respond to material by distinguishing between facts and opinions or personal feelings, judgments and inferences, inductive and deductive arguments, and the objective and subjective. It also includes the ability to generate questions, construct, and recognize the structure of arguments, and adequately support arguments; define, analyze, and devise solutions for problems and issues; sort, organize, classify, correlate, and analyze materials and data; integrate information and see relationships; evaluate information, materials, and data by drawing inferences, arriving at reasonable and informed conclusions, applying understanding and knowledge to new and different problems, developing rational and reasonable interpretations, suspending beliefs and remaining open to new information, methods, cultural systems, values and beliefs and by assimilating information."

Nickerson, Perkins and Smith (1985) "The ability to judge the plausibility of specific assertions, to weigh evidence, to assess the logical soundness of inferences, to construct counter-arguments and alternative hypotheses."

Moore and Parker , Critical Thinking Critical Thinking is "the careful, deliberate determination of whether we should accept, reject, or suspend judgment about a claim, and the degree of confidence with which we accept or reject it."

Delphi Report "We understand critical thinking to be purposeful, self-regulatory judgment which results in interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and inference, as well as explanation of the evidential, conceptual, methodological, criteriological, or contextual considerations upon which that judgment is based. CT is essential as a tool of inquiry. As such, CT is a liberating force in education and a powerful resource in one's personal and civic life. While not synonymous with good thinking, CT is a pervasive and self-rectifying human phenomenon. The ideal critical thinker is habitually inquisitive, well-informed, trustful of reason, open-minded, flexible, fair-minded in evaluation, honest in facing personal biases, prudent in making judgments, willing to reconsider, clear about issues, orderly in complex matters, diligent in seeking relevant information, reasonable in the selection of criteria, focused in inquiry, and persistent in seeking results which are as precise as the subject and the circumstances of inquiry permit. Thus, educating good critical thinkers means working toward this ideal. It combines developing CT skills with nurturing those dispositions which consistently yield useful insights and which are the basis of a rational and democratic society."

A little reformatting helps make this definition more comprehensible:

We understand critical thinking to be purposeful, self-regulatory judgment which results in

• interpretation

as well as explanation of the

• methodological
• criteriological

considerations upon which that judgment is based.

Francis Bacon (1605) "For myself, I found that I was fitted for nothing so well as for the study of Truth; as having a mind nimble and versatile enough to catch the resemblances of things … and at the same time steady enough to fix and distinguish their subtler differences; as being gifted by nature with desire to seek, patience to doubt, fondness to meditate, slowness to assert, readiness to consider, carefulness to dispose and set in order; and as being a man that neither affects what is new nor admires what is old, and that hates every kind of imposture."

A shorter version is "the art of being right."

Or, more prosaically: critical thinking is "the skillful application of a repertoire of validated general techniques for deciding the level of confidence you should have in a proposition in the light of the available evidence."

HELPFUL REFERENCE: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/logic-informal/

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Glossary of Critical Thinking Terms

accurate : Free from errors, mistakes, or distortion. Correct connotes little more than absence of error; accurate implies a positive exercise of one to obtain conformity with fact or truth; exact stresses perfect conformity to fact, truth, or some standard; precise suggests minute accuracy of detail. Accuracy is an important goal in critical thinking, though it is almost always a matter of degree. It is also important to recognize that making mistakes is an essential part of learning and that it is far better that students make their own mistakes, than that they parrot the thinking of the text or teacher. It should also be recognized that some distortion usually results whenever we think within a point of view or frame of reference. Students should think with this awareness in mind, with some sense of the limitations of their own, the text's, the teacher's, the subject's perspective. See perfections of thought. ambiguous : A sentence having two or more possible meanings. Sensitivity to ambiguity and vagueness in writing and speech is essential to good thinking. A continual effort to be clear and precise in language usage is fundamental to education. Ambiguity is a problem more of sentences than of individual words. Furthermore, not every sentence that can be construed in more than one way is problematic and deserving of analysis. Many sentences are clearly intended one way; any other construal is obviously absurd and not meant. For example, "Make me a sandwich." is never seriously intended to request metamorphic change. It is a poor example for teaching genuine insight into critical thinking. For an example of a problematic ambiguity, consider the statement, "Welfare is corrupt." Among the possible meanings of this sentence are the following: Those who administer welfare programs take bribes to administer welfare policy unfairly; Welfare policies are written in such a way that much of the money goes to people who don't deserve it rather than to those who do; A government that gives money to people who haven't earned it corrupts both the giver and the recipient. If two people are arguing about whether or not welfare is corrupt, but interpret the claim differently, they can make little or no progress; they aren't arguing about the same point. Evidence and considerations relevant to one interpretation may be irrelevant to others. analyze : To break up a whole into its parts, to examine in detail so as to determine the nature of, to look more deeply into an issue or situation. All learning presupposes some analysis of what we are learning, if only by categorizing or labeling things in one way rather than another. Students should continually be asked to analyze their ideas, claims, experiences, interpretations, judgments, and theories and those they hear and read. See elements of thought. argue : There are two meanings of this word that need to be distinguished: 1) to argue in the sense of to fight or to emotionally disagree; and 2) to give reasons for or against a proposal or proposition. In emphasizing critical thinking, we continually try to get our students to move from the first sense of the word to the second; that is, we try to get them to see the importance of giving reasons to support their views without getting their egos involved in what they are saying. This is a fundamental problem in human life. To argue in the critical thinking sense is to use logic and reason, and to bring forth facts to support or refute a point. It is done in a spirit of cooperation and good will. argument : A reason or reasons offered for or against something, the offering of such reasons. This term refers to a discussion in which there is disagreement and suggests the use of logic and the bringing forth of facts to support or refute a point. See argue. to assume : To take for granted or to presuppose. Critical thinkers can and do make their assumptions explicit, assess them, and correct them. Assumptions can vary from the mundane to the problematic: I heard a scratch at the door. I got up to let the cat in. I assumed that only the cat makes that noise, and that he makes it only when he wants to be let in. Someone speaks gruffly to me. I feel guilty and hurt. I assume he is angry at me, that he is only angry at me when I do something bad, and that if he's angry at me, he dislikes me. Notice that people often equate making assumptions with making false assumptions. When people say, "Don't assume", this is what they mean. In fact, we cannot avoid making assumptions and some are justifiable. (For instance, we have assumed that people who buy this book can read English.) Rather than saying "Never assume", we say, "Be aware of and careful about the assumptions you make, and be ready to examine and critique them." See assumption, elements of thought. assumption : A statement accepted or supposed as true without proof or demonstration; an unstated premise or belief. All human thought and experience is based on assumptions. Our thought must begin with something we take to be true in a particular context. We are typically unaware of what we assume and therefore rarely question our assumptions. Much of what is wrong with human thought can be found in the uncritical or unexamined assumptions that underlie it. For example, we often experience the world in such a way as to assume that we are observing things just as they are, as though we were seeing the world without the filter of a point of view. People we disagree with, of course, we recognize as having a point of view. One of the key dispositions of critical thinking is the on-going sense that as humans we always think within a perspective, that we virtually never experience things totally and absolutistically. There is a connection, therefore, between thinking so as to be aware of our assumptions and being intellectually humble. authority : 1) The power or supposed right to give commands, enforce obedience, take action, or make final decisions. 2) A person with much knowledge and expertise in a field, hence reliable. Critical thinkers recognize that ultimate authority rests with reason and evidence, since it is only on the assumption that purported experts have the backing of reason and evidence that they rightfully gain authority. Much instruction discourages critical thinking by encouraging students to believe that whatever the text or teacher says is true. As a result, students do not learn how to assess authority. See knowledge. bias : A mental leaning or inclination. We must clearly distinguish two different senses of the word ’’bias’’. One is neutral, the other negative. In the neutral sense we are referring simply to the fact that, because of one's point of view, one notices some things rather than others, emphasizes some points rather than others, and thinks in one direction rather than others. This is not in itself a criticism because thinking within a point of view is unavoidable. In the negative sense, we are implying blindness or irrational resistance to weaknesses within one's own point of view or to the strength or insight within a point of view one opposes. Fairminded critical thinkers try to be aware of their bias (in sense one) and try hard to avoid bias (in sense two). Many people confuse these two senses. Many confuse bias with emotion or with evaluation, perceiving any expression of emotion or any use of evaluative words to be biased (sense two). Evaluative words that can be justified by reason and evidence are not biased in the negative sense. See criteria, evaluation, judgment, opinion...... To read the full article, join the  Center for Critical Thinking Community Online ; you will find this article in the Libraries there. The Center for Critical Thinking Community Online is the world’s leading online community dedicated to teaching and advancing critical thinking. Featuring the world's largest library of critical thinking articles, videos, and books, as well as learning activities, study groups, and a social media component, this interactive learning platform is essential to anyone dedicated to developing as an effective reasoner in the classroom, in the professions, in business and government, and throughout personal life. Join the community and learn explicit tools of critical thinking. Back to top Synonyms of critical as in particular as in urgent as in crucial as in essential More from M-W To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In Thesaurus Definition of critical Synonyms & Similar Words hypercritical overcritical faultfinding discriminating unforgiving pettifogging uncharitable Antonyms & Near Antonyms undiscriminating undemanding importunate necessitous life - and - death life - or - death unimportant noncritical low - pressure nonthreatening fundamental instrumental indispensable insignificant inconsequential must - have all - important of the essence prerequisite significant substantial consequential nonelective unnecessary nonessential dispensable unessential inessential superfluous Try This Instead Synonym chooser. How does the adjective critical contrast with its synonyms? Some common synonyms of critical are captious , carping , censorious , faultfinding , and hypercritical . While all these words mean "inclined to look for and point out faults and defects," critical may also imply an effort to see a thing clearly and truly in order to judge it fairly. When might captious be a better fit than critical ? While the synonyms captious and critical are close in meaning, captious suggests a readiness to detect trivial faults or raise objections on trivial grounds. Where would carping be a reasonable alternative to critical ? The synonyms carping and critical are sometimes interchangeable, but carping implies an ill-natured or perverse picking of flaws. When could censorious be used to replace critical ? The words censorious and critical can be used in similar contexts, but censorious implies a disposition to be severely critical and condemnatory. When can faultfinding be used instead of critical ? Although the words faultfinding and critical have much in common, faultfinding implies a querulous or exacting temperament. When is it sensible to use hypercritical instead of critical ? The words hypercritical and critical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hypercritical suggests a tendency to judge by unreasonably strict standards. Examples of critical in a Sentence These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'critical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples. Articles Related to critical Everyone's a Critic 8 obscure words for those who pass judgment 9 Ways to Criticize Words for calling someone out Thesaurus Entries Near critical Cite this entry. “Critical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/critical. Accessed 6 Aug. 2024. More from Merriam-Webster on critical Nglish: Translation of critical for Spanish Speakers Britannica English: Translation of critical for Arabic Speakers Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! Can you solve 4 words at once? Word of the day. See Definitions and Examples » Get Word of the Day daily email! Popular in Grammar & Usage Plural and possessive names: a guide, commonly misspelled words, how to use em dashes (—), en dashes (–) , and hyphens (-), absent letters that are heard anyway, how to use accents and diacritical marks, popular in wordplay, 8 words for lesser-known musical instruments, it's a scorcher words for the summer heat, 7 shakespearean insults to make life more interesting, plant names that sound like insults, 10 words from taylor swift songs (merriam's version), games & quizzes. Stack Exchange Network Stack Exchange network consists of 183 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow , the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Q&A for work Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Is there a word for someone who won't think critically? [closed] Is there a word for someone who won't think through issues and instead comes to others hoping that they will think for them and solve problems for them? A word that is more specific to a lack of critical thinking skills than "lazy"? single-word-requests pejorative-language 2 on Stack Overflow and some other online forums, there is the concept of a help vampire .... –  Hellion Commented Jan 17, 2017 at 21:00 1 It's not clear what you're asking - are you more interested in the lack of ability to think logically, or the lack of desire to do so? I.e., stupid vs lazy? –  John Feltz Commented Jan 17, 2017 at 21:01 The lack of desire, but I was hoping for something a little more specific to someone who refuses to think than lazy...but still something along those lines –  Heather Commented Jan 17, 2017 at 21:03 1 uncritical refers to being superficial and not analyzing or looking in detail at something. But it does not imply doing so out of laziness. It sounds like you are looking for being uncritical out of laziness, not out of inability to be critical. –  Drew Commented Jan 17, 2017 at 21:05 Yes, those people are dependent. Dunno a noun for them. There are many reasons why people can't think for themselves, mostly because they are too neurotic and only believe in what the "other" says due to their own psychic and psychological dependency on others. Like every problem in life, they think other people can solve whatever their problem is instead of trying to figure it out themselves. –  Lambie Commented Jan 17, 2017 at 22:45 3 Answers 3 The person in the scenario that you have portrayed isn't necessarily lacking the ability of critical thinking and is very much as you say, lazy . But to answer the question: According to Cambridge Dictionary: Critical Thinking means: the process of thinking carefully about a subject or idea, without allowing feelings or opinions to affect you. Which basically means objective, unbiased or disinterested in one's thinking and analysis. The opposite of it could be biased, subjective or emotional thinking . The opposite of critical thinking can also be uncritical thinking . If by critical thinking the writer loosely means - the ability of logical analysis (even though there are clear distinctions), then the person might be illogical . If by critical thinking the writer loosely means the quality of carefully and logically assessing claims or statements to evaluate their beliefs and position, then the opposite might be dogmatic, narrow-minded, intransigent, doctrinaire. You could call them a lemming . Meaning one who follows a leader unthinkingly, possibly to their own demise. So, this person does not think for themselves and instead looks to one they consider a leader to do their thinking for them (possibly to their own detriment). Alternatively, along the same lines, you could call them a sheep , following the second definition: a. A person regarded as timid, weak, or submissive. b. One who is easily swayed or led. 1 How does this describe someone who is too lazy to think through a problem and wants someone else to do it for them? Can you expand on your answer? –  BladorthinTheGrey Commented Jan 17, 2017 at 22:01 Edited to expand upon answer. I admit lemming does not refer specifically to a lack of critical thinking skills, but it seems @Heather is asking for a word for one who chooses not to think for themselves and looks for another to do their thinking, rather than one who is unable to do their own thinking, so I believe "lemming" is applicable. –  Cameron Commented Jan 17, 2017 at 22:04 I see where you're coming from now! I'm more used to these people being called sheep and as I've been typing this you've added that definition +1 –  BladorthinTheGrey Commented Jan 17, 2017 at 22:08 The term simple-minded comes to mind. The Free Dictionary defines it as: Lacking in subtlety or sophistication; artless or naive More often than not, simple-minded individuals will lack critical thinking. 1 I agree with your assertion that simple-minded individuals tend to lack critical thinking but that doesn't mean that people who lack critical thinking are simple-minded. The term tends to be used as an insult, anyway, which I doubt is what the OP is looking for. –  BladorthinTheGrey Commented Jan 17, 2017 at 22:04 Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged single-word-requests pejorative-language or ask your own question . Featured on Meta We've made changes to our Terms of Service & Privacy Policy - July 2024 Announcing a change to the data-dump process Hot Network Questions PhD in computational mathematics without a strong mathematical background What purpose did the lower-right "Enter" key serve on the original Mac 128k keyboard? How would life on a planet perceive gamma radiation from a supernova explosion? Why is There a Spelling Shift in the Stem of Verb "reperire"? Count number display: "99+" vs full number What's wrong with constructions like "Dragons are big, green, and eat people."? How accurate is my phone's magnetometer? No room for radials Who checks and balances SCOTUS? 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Cubic Concatenation Democrats have decided to publicly label Donald Trump 'weird' and it's about time Millions of american voters likely spent the past eight or so years watching trump and the maga circus and thinking: 'wow, this is all very weird.'. At long last, Democrats have leaned into the word “weird.” Vice President Kamala Harris , now the Democratic Party’s presumptive presidential nominee, has started using it to describe convicted felon and former President Donald Trump. It seems Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz , who’s on Harris’ vice presidential candidate list, led the charge, succinctly saying of Trump and his running mate this weekend: “These guys are just weird.” There are millions upon millions of American voters ‒ certainly liberals and independents, and I’d bet a decent slice of conservatives ‒ who have spent the past eight or so years watching Trump and the MAGA circus and thinking: “Wow, this is all very weird.” Donald Trump is very, very weird, and we've known this for some time The rise of Trumpism and the bizarre chaos it ushered in ‒ from family members lost down conspiratorial rabbit holes to the denial of facts and abandonment of shared reality ‒ has given us election lies and Trump-branded Bibles and Rudy Giuliani giving an insane news conference outside a landscaping business in Philadelphia and a dude called the QAnon Shaman wearing a horned fur cap as he joined an attack of the U.S. Capitol. “Weird” may be the nicest possible description. It’s certainly the most apt label for Trump and his unhinged rants, his nonsensical stories about sharks or Hannibal Lecter , his blabbering cruelty and unfiltered spouting of whatever odd thought passes through his hate-addled mind. Kamala Harris should keep leaning into Trump's weirdness It’s all weird. He’s surrounded by lackeys who are weird and go on Fox News and say weird things about Trump being the greatest president of all time. He is supported by slavish Republicans who once openly denounced him , and their hypocrisy is weird. His running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, has a slew of past interviews in which he derided “childless cat ladies” and suggested the votes of people who have children should count more than the votes of those who don’t. And that’s all really weird. Plus, he has a tech-bro vibe that’s weird and impersonal ‒ but mainly weird. Waiting on Trump: When is Trump's 'big boy press conference'? His campaign deflected when I asked. Tim Walz, with Minnesota-nice, hit the nail on the head by calling Trump weird Last week, Gov. Walz said on MSNBC , “These guys are just weird. They’re running for He-Man Women Haters Club or something. That’s what they’re doing. That’s just not what people are interested in.”  Yes. YES! Finally! We've watched so much weirdness from Trump world over the years We’ve spent years watching all-praise-be-to-Trump types getting three different kinds of worked up over drag queens and books about gay penguins and transgender school kids who just want to be allowed to exist. The moment President Joe Biden stepped aside and endorsed Harris for the top of the ticket, MAGA Republicans started labeling her a “DEI candidate,” a blatantly racist description of an accomplished politician and sitting vice president. The GOP presidential nominee is a twice-impeached, one-term president who was convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in a case involving hush money paid to an adult film star. He has had multiple bankruptcies , faces hundreds of millions of dollars in fines from a civil fraud ruling and was found liable of sexual abuse . And he is revered by the Republican Party's evangelical base. Do you want to know what’s weird to a majority of Americans who are just trying to live their lives? EVERYTHING IN THOSE PREVIOUS THREE PARAGRAPHS! Joe Biden didn't bust out the 'weird' word, but he should have For some reason, Biden’s campaign didn’t directly hit Trump with the W-word. But as soon as he stepped aside, Walz, the Harris campaign and other Democratic leaders wasted no time calling the former president what he is: weird. Harris VP pick? Republicans, pay attention to who Harris picks for VP. One of them should scare us. Trump never laughs. He’s rarely seen in public with his wife, Melania. He regularly says stuff like this from a recent rally : “We won in 2016. We did much better in 2020, but it was rigged. It was rigged.” A lot of people throughout the Trump era have looked at his rallies or listened to him or one of his minions on TV and probably quietly said: “How in the heck is anyone taking these weirdos seriously?” The word 'weird' fits. It works. It's concise and comfortingly spot on. This is a smart labeling move by Harris and the Democrats. “Weird” captures an almost-exhausted emotion many of us have felt but failed to identify. And it’s directed where it should be, at Trump's MAGA disciples and the elected Republicans who fall in line. It’s not a broad labeling of his supporters along the lines of Hillary Clinton’s “basket of deplorables.” This isn’t punching down. It’s cutting to the chase. It’s pointing at the bizarre characters and charlatans who willfully turned our politics toxic and sold ‒ and continue to sell ‒ snake oil and scapegoats to millions of Americans. What Harris and Co. are rightfully saying to Trump and the Republican leaders in his sway is simple: “Enough. You all are really freakin’ weird.” Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on X, formerly Twitter,  @RexHuppke  and Facebook  facebook.com/RexIsAJerk You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page , on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter . Help Center Synonyms for Critical thinking skill 30 other terms for critical thinking skill - words and phrases with similar meaning. Alternatively The Daily Wildcat Study finds universities lack in promoting critical thinking skills. Students may not be getting their money’s worth out of their increasing expensive educations, according to “Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses,” a 2011 book by sociologists Richard Arum and Josipa Roska. Arum and Roska claim that four-year undergraduate students receive little to no learning in four-year universities, based off a study that included an essay-based critical thinking, analytical reasoning and communication skills test called the Collegiate Learning Assessment. In their study, Roska and Arum had a sample of four-year undergraduates take the CLA during their freshman year. The same students then took the test again during their senior year, and their scores saw very little improvement. On average, scores improved less than one-half of one standard deviation from the students’ freshman year, with one-third of students improving by less than a single point out of a 100-point scale. A follow-up study of the same students found that two years later, 7 percent of them were unemployed and 16 percent were underemployed after graduation. At the UA, a gauge of critical thinking skills is not a general requirement to enter the university. The admissions process differs depending on the type of application filled out, according to Kasey Urquidez, associate vice president of student affairs and dean of undergraduate admissions. There are two different applications for prospective undergraduates: the basic undergraduate application and the application for the Honors College. The basic undergraduate application and honors application both have essay questions, but the questions are very different. “The undergraduate essay is more of the student telling us about their self,” Urquidez said, “but the Honors College does ask a critical thinking question.” This year’s critical thinking question was based on the idea of basic human rights and how an education at the UA would contribute to knowledge of and engagement with those rights. Urquidez said she believes the reason critical thinking questions only appear on the honors applications is not because the university does not care about critical thinking skills, but because university research has shown that other areas correlate more to a higher graduation rate. “Students must have critical thinking skills to be successful in the real world,” Urquidez said, “but we are just not there yet. GPA s and test scores have worked well in telling us who will successfully graduate.” Susan Miller-Pinhey, marketing and events manager at Career Services, said that graduates at the UA have a better opportunity than most at landing a job. “Employers love us,” she said. “I would be surprised if that study was talking about us.” According to this year’s Career Services Employer Guide, 6,494 students received bachelor’s degrees during the 2012-2013 academic year. Meanwhile, according to the Career Services statistical year review, 1,673 students reported acceptance of a job. The same report also showed that 1,075 students reported admission into graduate school. Students at the UA have different opinions on whether their time at the university has improved their market appeal and their critical thinking skills. Clinton Ewell, a vocal performance freshman, said he believes that his critical thinking will improve and hopes the UA will help him become successful. “Students and the university must maintain an incentive for increasing our critical thinking skills,” Ewell said. “That is why I am trying to incorporate business as my minor.” Ethan Posey, an anthropology senior, said that while happy with his education, he has some doubts about whether the university has helped him prepare for the job market. “I have learned a lot about doing research and understanding the world critically,” Posey said, “but I don’t know if the university has prepared me for real 9-to-5 work expectations. But I won’t know ‘til I am out there.” —Follow Max Lancaster @MaxLancaster9 Top Stories Add Listing Advertising All Authors All Listings Arts & Life Author Profile Classifieds Daily Wildcat newsletter sign-up Donate to the Daily Wildcat Listing Form Payment Receipt Privacy Policy Registration Scores and Schedules Search Home Search Result Single Category Terms and Conditions Transaction Failure Health Tech Health Insurance Medical Devices Gene Therapy Neuroscience H5N1 Bird Flu Health Disparities Infectious Disease Mental Health Cardiovascular Disease Chronic Disease Alzheimer's Coercive Care The Obesity Revolution The War on Recovery Adam Feuerstein Matthew Herper Jennifer Adaeze Okwerekwu Ed Silverman CRISPR Tracker Breakthrough Device Tracker Generative AI Tracker Obesity Drug Tracker 2024 STAT Summit All Summits Wunderkinds Nomination STAT Madness STAT Brand Studio Don't miss out Subscribe to STAT+ today, for the best life sciences journalism in the industry Phasing out the ‘D-word’ By Mike Zuendel Aug. 5, 2024 A s I roamed the meeting rooms and halls of the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Philadelphia last week, I kept hearing a word — dementia — I’ve come to loathe as someone with early Alzheimer’s. The use of this term goes back as far as the late 1500s, when it referred to insanity. It’s an inaccurate, outdated, and stigmatizing term that I and others living with cognitive impairment want to see retired permanently. Not only is it offensive, but it actively holds back early diagnosis, effective care, and faster research progress towards new, life-changing treatments. advertisement I’ve felt the stigma firsthand. On more than one occasion, health care professionals or researchers referred to me as “demented” or “having dementia.” Those utterances made me feel hurt, judged, and counted out. And it certainly didn’t make me want to return to that doctor’s office or take part in a long, demanding clinical trial. Sentiments like that make a difficult problem even more intractable. According to a recent survey , 8 in 10 people over age 65 associated stigma with the word “dementia.” If it’s already difficult to get people to seek treatment earlier, why use language that makes it even harder? Related: Survey: Neurologists split on prescribing new Alzheimer’s treatments No one should feel unwelcome or criticized in their doctor’s office. People should be able to seek help for memory problems or cognitive impairment, knowing they’ll be treated with dignity and respect. It’s in the Alzheimer’s community’s power to make sure that happens. That’s why I’m eager to announce the Initiative to Change the “D-Word.” This nonprofit organization is bringing together a coalition of advocates, professional societies, companies, and policymakers to work to eliminate the words dementia and demented from the lexicon of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment, reducing stigma and increasing accuracy around these conditions. The first goal of the initiative is to raise overall public awareness about the stigma around the “D-word” and the need for using alternative language. Just ask those at greatest risk. In the survey I mentioned earlier, almost half of older adults pictured someone with dementia as having difficulty performing everyday tasks, and the top three emotions associated with dementia were confusion, helplessness, and isolation. It’s essential to educate providers and researchers about this effort. People often hesitate to seek help for changes with thinking or memory because they fear how a doctor or other clinician might treat them. It’s part of the reason why people delay seeing a doctor for multiple years, leading to a delayed diagnosis. At every step, the stigma of “dementia” throws up barriers. There are many causes of cognitive impairment, from Alzheimer’s disease to depression and diminished blood flow to and in the brain. “Dementia” covers up these key differences with a single catch-all term. That’s simply not helpful. Clinicians, researchers, and others need to use more precise language that equips people to move forward, rather than holding them back with a term from yesteryear. When a diagnosis is delayed or inaccurate, an individual has fewer chances to benefit from treatment, take part in a clinical trial, or fully benefit from innovations in treatment options. Many of the newest drugs now available or in trials work best at the earliest stages of the disease. The challenge of finding volunteers in these early stages is a major reason that progress has been so slow, for so long. Related: Primary care physicians should be at the heart of treating Alzheimer’s I was fortunate to have received a relatively early Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Far from an ending, it opened a new chapter of my life. I got to know other people living with the disease. I got involved with the advocacy community. I learned that life doesn’t stop with a diagnosis; in fact, it’s just the opposite. Millions of Americans deserve these same benefits. To make that happen, the journey toward diagnosis needs to be as easy as possible. And that depends on a shared effort to break down stigma so people can get the support and care they need, find trial opportunities, and approach their next steps feeling empowered and well-informed. Changing how we talk can change how we fight Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment — unleashing earlier diagnosis, better care, and improved lives for people with these conditions. Mike Zuendel founded the “Initiative to Change the ‘D-Word'” and has served on the Alzheimer’s Association’s Early-Stage Advisors Group, the Global Neurosciences Institute patient council, is a champion for the Voices of Alzheimer’s organization, and sits on the Alzheimer’s patient advisory board of the Center for Study on Clinical Research Participation and the board of directors of the Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation. LETTER TO THE EDITOR Have an opinion on this essay submit a letter to the editor here ., about the author reprints, mike zuendel. Alzheimer’s STAT encourages you to share your voice. We welcome your commentary, criticism, and expertise on our subscriber-only platform, STAT+ Connect To submit a correction request, please visit our Contact Us page . Recommended Recommended Stories Diversity statements should not be required for federal STEMM grant funding Performance-enhancing drugs or placebos? The myth at the heart of anti-doping STAT Plus: Sarepta demanded Duchenne patient advocacy group censor video critical of the company STAT Plus: Health Care's Colossus: How UnitedHealth harnesses its physician empire to squeeze profits out of patients Mount Sinai mounted aggressive campaign to stifle debate over revelations about its controversial brain research Skip to main content Keyboard shortcuts for audio player It's Been a Minute LISTEN & FOLLOW Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Your support helps make our show possible and unlocks access to our sponsor-free feed. Code Switch: Do we need to stop using the word "felon"? Brittany Luse B.A. Parker Christina Cala Courtney Stein Liam McBain Barton Girdwood Jessica Placzek What the reaction to Trump's felony conviction tells us about the word "felon" Jackie Lay hide caption What the reaction to Trump's felony conviction tells us about the word "felon" Ever since Vice President Kamala Harris entered the presidential race, things changed . Her campaign almost immediately started framing the election as: Harris, the former prosecutor - vs. Trump the felon . And that word - "felon" - is one that our friends over at NPR's Code Switch have been thinking a lot about since former President Trump was convicted of 34 counts back in May. In this episode, Code Switch co-hosts B.A. Parker and Gene Demby chop it up with the comedian Arif Shahid, who performs under the name Felonious Munk, to talk about what it means for him to carry this reference to his felony conviction so publicly. Then, Gene talks to Josie Duffy-Rice, a writer who focuses on the criminal justice system, to look at the ways "felon" sticks to people long after their sentences end. This episode was co-hosted by Gene Demby and B.A. Parker, produced by Christina Cala, and edited by Courtney Stein. Our engineer was Josh Newell. Additional hosting by Brittany Luse, production by Liam McBain and Barton Girdwood, and editing by Jessica Plazcek. Our VP of Programming is Yolanda Sangweni. 146 IMAGES Critical Thinking synonyms Critical Thinking Presentation PPT Importance of Critical Thinking why is critical thinking important in problem solving 😀 Critical thinking and. How to Think Critically and Problem Solve VIDEO Critical thinking and deferring to experts Critical Thinking Creative Thinking VS Critical Thinking Do you know this word? Build your English vocabulary! Great things never come from comfort zones. #shorts #quotes 10 Sign you are deep thiker #motivation #quotesoflifeforall #shorts COMMENTS What is another word for "critical thinking"? surmising. acceptation. supposition. faith. piece of research. piece of work. more . "Peer learning tasks that require critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making can be challenging for both the teacher and students.". Noun. Synonyms for Critical thinking Synonyms for Critical Thinking (other words and phrases for Critical Thinking). Synonyms for Critical thinking. 1 147 other terms for critical thinking- words and phrases with similar meaning. Lists. synonyms. antonyms. definitions. sentences. thesaurus. words. phrases. Parts of speech. nouns. verbs. adjectives. Tags. thinking. analysing. Critical thinking Definition & Meaning The meaning of CRITICAL THINKING is the act or practice of thinking critically (as by applying reason and questioning assumptions) in order to solve problems, evaluate information, discern biases, etc.. How to use critical thinking in a sentence. Top 10 Positive Synonyms for "Critical Thinking" (With Meanings The top 10 positive & impactful synonyms for "critical thinking" are analytical reasoning, insightful analysis, reflective judgment, strategic thought, problem-solving, logical inquiry, independent thinking, objective evaluation, rational analysis, and thoughtful critique. Using these synonyms helps you enhance both your communication and ... Thesaurus for Critical thinking Most related words/phrases with sentence examples define Critical thinking meaning and usage. Thesaurus for Critical thinking. Related terms for critical thinking- synonyms, antonyms and sentences with critical thinking. Lists. synonyms. antonyms. definitions. sentences. thesaurus. Parts of speech. nouns. verbs. adjectives. CRITICAL THINKING definition CRITICAL THINKING meaning: 1. the process of thinking carefully about a subject or idea, without allowing feelings or opinions…. Learn more. What Is Critical Thinking? Critical thinking is the ability to effectively analyze information and form a judgment. To think critically, you must be aware of your own biases and assumptions when encountering information, and apply consistent standards when evaluating sources. Critical thinking skills help you to: Identify credible sources. Evaluate and respond to arguments. CRITICAL THINKING CRITICAL THINKING definition: 1. the process of thinking carefully about a subject or idea, without allowing feelings or opinions…. Learn more. Critical thinking Critical thinking is the analysis of available facts, evidence, observations, and arguments in order to form a judgement by the application of rational, skeptical, and unbiased analyses and evaluation. The application of critical thinking includes self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective habits of the mind; thus, a critical thinker is a person who practices the ... 9 Words and Phrases for Critical-thinking Critical-thinking synonyms - 9 Words and Phrases for Critical-thinking. so left-brained. analytical. detail-oriented. logical. methodical. objective. organized. What is critical thinking? Critical thinking is a kind of thinking in which you question, analyse, interpret , evaluate and make a judgement about what you read, hear, say, or write. The term critical comes from the Greek word kritikos meaning "able to judge or discern". Good critical thinking is about making reliable judgements based on reliable information. CRITICAL THINKING Definition & Meaning Critical thinking definition: disciplined thinking that is clear, rational, open-minded, and informed by evidence. See examples of CRITICAL THINKING used in a sentence. Critical thinking Critical thinking is characterized by a broad set of related skills usually including the abilities to. Theorists have noted that such skills are only valuable insofar as a person is inclined to use them. Consequently, they emphasize that certain habits of mind are necessary components of critical thinking. Critical Thinking Definition, Skills, and Examples Critical thinking refers to the ability to analyze information objectively and make a reasoned judgment. It involves the evaluation of sources, such as data, facts, observable phenomena, and research findings. Good critical thinkers can draw reasonable conclusions from a set of information, and discriminate between useful and less useful ... Definition and Examples of Critical Thinking Critical thinking is the process of independently analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information as a guide to behavior and beliefs. The American Philosophical Association has defined critical thinking as "the process of purposeful, self-regulatory judgment. The process gives reasoned consideration to evidence, contexts, conceptualizations ... What Is Critical Thinking? Critical thinking is the process of analyzing information logically and overcoming assumptions, biases, and logical fallacies. Developing critical thinking skills allows us to evaluate information as objectively as possible and reach well-founded conclusions. When researching a political candidate you support, you find an article criticizing ... critical thinking The school encourages critical thinking and problem-solving. Students are encouraged to develop critical thinking instead of accepting opinions without questioning them. The book shows you how to apply critical thinking to your studies. Critical thinking skills enable students to evaluate information. What is Critical Thinking? Critical thinking is the identification and evaluation of evidence to guide decision making. A critical thinker uses broad in-depth analysis of evidence to make decisions and communicate his/her beliefs clearly and accurately. Other Definitions of Critical Thinking:Robert H. Ennis, Author of The Cornell Critical Thinking Tests "Critical thinking is reasonable, reflective thinking that is Glossary of Critical Thinking Terms The Center for Critical Thinking Community Online is the world's leading online community dedicated to teaching and advancing critical thinking. Featuring the world's largest library of critical thinking articles, videos, and books, as well as learning activities, study groups, and a social media component, this interactive learning platform ... CRITICAL Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words Synonyms for CRITICAL: particular, demanding, rejective, judgmental, hypercritical, overcritical, captious, faultfinding; Antonyms of CRITICAL: uncritical ... Is there a word for someone who won't think critically? Critical Thinking means: the process of thinking carefully about a subject or idea, without allowing feelings or opinions to affect you. Which basically means objective, unbiased or disinterested in one's thinking and analysis. The opposite of it could be biased, subjective or emotional thinking. Column: We need more critical thinking in our classrooms For critical thinking and creativity to occur in classrooms, students must inspire and push students to reach their potentials through circumnavigating the pervasive group-think mentality. Explained: Importance of critical thinking, problem-solving skills in Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are two of the most sought-after skills. Hence, schools should emphasise the upskilling of students as a part of the academic curriculum. Abortion is legal in Pennsylvania, but Democrats are running as if it's Pennsylvania Democrats are trying to scare women into thinking abortion access in the state is at risk now, but the simple fact is that no abortion laws are changing. Trump is weird. It's about time Harris, Democrats started saying it Democrats have decided to publicly label Donald Trump 'weird' and it's about time Millions of American voters likely spent the past eight or so years watching Trump and the MAGA circus and ... Synonyms for Critical thinking skill Another way to say Critical Thinking Skill? Synonyms for Critical Thinking Skill (other words and phrases for Critical Thinking Skill). Study finds universities lack in promoting critical thinking skills This year's critical thinking question was based on the idea of basic human rights and how an education at the UA would contribute to knowledge of and engagement with those rights. How to think like an Olympian and develop a winner's brain Olympians aren't born with a winner's brain — they train for it. Here's what years of research has to say about the mental resilience of top athletes. It's time to phase out 'dementia' from the Alzheimer's lexicon The first goal of the initiative is to raise overall public awareness about the stigma around the "D-word" and the need for using alternative language. Just ask those at greatest risk. Code Switch: Do we need to stop using the word "felon"? And that word - "felon" - is one that our friends over at NPR's Code Switch have been thinking a lot about since former President Trump was convicted of 34 counts back in May. In this episode ... assignment essay homework paper phd resume review speech thesis