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Problem Solving and Critical
Thinking
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Module 1: Thinking and Critical
Thinking Thinking : Thinking is the highest mental
activity present in man.
The purpose of thinking, is to arrive at astate where thinking is no more necessaryat all. In other words, thinking starts with aproblem and ends in a solution.
Thus, thinking is a tool for adaptingourselves to the physical and socialenvironment in which we are in.
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Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is the process of thinking that
questions assumptions.
Critical thinking has been described as
reasonable reflective thinking focused on
deciding what to believe or do. More recently,
critical thinking has been described as "the
process of purposeful, self-regulatory judgment,
which uses reasoned consideration to evidence,
context, conceptualizations, methods, and
criteria.
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Critical Thinking
Critical thinking clarifies goals, examines
assumptions, discerns hidden values,
evaluates evidence, accomplishes actions,and assesses conclusions.
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Critical thinking calls for the ability to:
Recognize problems, to find workable means formeeting those problems
Understand the importance of prioritization and
order of precedence in problem solving
Gather and marshal pertinent (relevant)information
Recognize unstated assumptions and values
Comprehend and use language with accuracy,clarity, and discernment
Interpret data, to appraise evidence and
evaluate arguments
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Recognize the existence (or non-
existence) of logical relationships betweenpropositions
Draw warranted conclusions andgeneralizations
Put to test the conclusions andgeneralizations at which one arrives
Reconstruct one's patterns of beliefs on
the basis of wider experience Render accurate judgments about specific
things and qualities in everyday life
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Problems call forth our courage and our wisdom; indeed, theycreate our courage and our wisdom. It is only because of
problems that we grow mentally and spiritually.
- M. Scott Peck
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What is Problem Solving?
Problem solving forms part of
thinking.
Considered the most complex of allintellectual functions, problem solving
has been defined as higherhigher--orderorder
cognitive process that requires thecognitive process that requires themodulation and control of moremodulation and control of more
routine or fundamental skillsroutine or fundamental skills.
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He who asks a question may be a fool for five minutes,but he who never asks a question remains a fool forever.
- Tom Connelly
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Barriers to Effective Problem
Solving
Failure to recognize the problemFailure to recognize the problem
Conceiving the problem too narrowlyConceiving the problem too narrowly
Making a hasty choiceMaking a hasty choice
Failure to consider all consequencesFailure to consider all consequences
Failure to consider the feasibility of theFailure to consider the feasibility of the
solutionsolution
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It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that Istay with problems longer.
- Albert Einstein
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Problem Solving ProcessAccepting the ProblemAccepting the Problem
Step 1: What is the Problem?Step 1: What is the Problem?
Step 2: WhatAre the Alternatives?Step 2: WhatAre the Alternatives?
Step 3: WhatAre the Advantages and/orStep 3: WhatAre the Advantages and/or
Disadvantages of EachA
lternative?Disadvantages of EachA
lternative?Step 4: What Is the Solution?Step 4: What Is the Solution?
Step 5: How Well Is the Solution Working?Step 5: How Well Is the Solution Working?
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Accepting the Problem
To solve a problem, you must first be willing to acceptaccepttheproblem by acknowledging that theproblem existsproblem exists andcommitting yourself to trying to solve it.
StrategiesStrategies to find the motivation and commitment to prepareyou to enter the problem-solving process:
1.1. List the benefitsList the benefits. how will solving the problem benefit you?
2.2. Formalize your acceptanceFormalize your acceptance.- formal commitment to solve problem
3.3. Accept responsibility for your lifeAccept responsibility for your life.- we have the potential to controlthe direction of our lives
4.4. Create a worstCreate a worst--case scenariocase scenario.- what are potential disastrous
consequences of your actions or inactions5.5. Identify whats holding you backIdentify whats holding you back.- what is preventing you from
solving the problem?
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Because I'm thinking in a broader way, I feellike I am able to make better decisions.
- Takafumi Horie
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Edward de BonoEdward de Bono
The six thinking hats is a methodThe six thinking hats is a method
for doing one sort of thinking at a time.for doing one sort of thinking at a time.
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6 Thinking Hats
CreativeCreative
PositivePositive
ObjectiveObjective
FeelingsFeelings
NegativeNegative
ProcessProcess
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White Hat - Objective
Facts, Figures, Data andFacts, Figures, Data and
InformationInformation
Questions: What information do we have here?
What information is missing?
What information would we like to have?
How are we going to get the information?
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Red Hat Feelings
Feelings, Intuition, Emotions and HunchesFeelings, Intuition, Emotions and Hunches
No need to justify the feelings. How do I feel about
this right now?
Examples:
My gut-feeling is that this will not work.
I don't like the way this is being done.
This proposal is terrible.
My intuition tells me that prices will fall soon.
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Black Hat - Negative
Caution, Difficulty, Judgment and
Assessment
Questions:
Is this true?
Will it work? What are the weaknesses?
What is wrong with it?
CriticalThinking
Hat
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Yellow Hat - Positive
Benefits, Feasibility andBenefits, Feasibility and
OptimismOptimism
Questions:
Why is this worth doing?
What are the benefits?
Why can it be done?
Why will it work?
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Green Hat - Creative
Creative Ideas, Alternatives,Creative Ideas, Alternatives,
Suggestions, and ProposalsSuggestions, and Proposals
Questions:
Are there any additional alternatives?
Could we do this in a different way?
Could there be another explanation?
What are some possible solutions
and courses of action?
CreativeThinking
Hat
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Blue Hat - Process
Sums up what is learned. OrganizationSums up what is learned. Organization
of thinking. Thinking about theof thinking. Thinking about the
thinking process (Reflection).thinking process (Reflection).
Examples:
Set the agenda.
Suggest the next steps. Ask for other hats.
Ask for summaries, conclusions,
and decisions.Meta-Cognition Hat
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Sequence Use Short Sequences
Yellow/Black/Red: Quick assessment
(idea)
White/Green: Generate ideas
Black/Green: Improve an existing idea
Blue/Green: Summarize & suggest
alternatives
Blue/Yellow: Any benefits? (e.g. the idea)
Etc