However in todayês world employers require more from

writing and arithmetic were essential for entry-level to the job market. However, in
todayÊs world, employers require more from employees, they require those who
can solve problems, innovate, collaborate, and communicate more effectively.
6.1.2 A Working Definition of Critical Thinking
We can find many definitions on critical thinking and they tend to be similar with
considerable overlap. Fisher and Spiker (2000, as cited in Halpern, 2014) found that
the terms, which are mostly used to define critical thinking, include judgement,
reasoning/logic, reflection, questioning, metacognition and mental process. Here is
a list of some generic skills of a critical thinker (Halpern, 2014):
a) Seek out contradictory evidence;
b) Make risk: benefit assessment;
c) Recall relevant information when needed;
d) Give reasons for choices as well as varying the style and amount of detail in
explanations depending on who is receiving the information;
e) Understand basic research principles;
f) Present a coherent and persuasive argument on a controversial,
contemporary topic;
g) Determine credibility and use this information in formulating and
communicating decisions
The critical part about critical thinking denotes the component of evaluation, and it
is sometimes conveyed as something negative, for example, when we say, „Karim
is a critical person‰. However, the evaluation should and can be a constructive
reflection of positive and negative attributes.
ACTIVITY 6.2
Take a few minutes and think about your own definition of critical
thinking. Discuss with your classmates.

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6.1.3 Changing How People Think: Should It Be
Done?
It is scary to have the idea of influencing the way people think since it advocates
terms like „mind control‰ and „propaganda‰. However, it is crucial to note that
critical thinking is an antidote of mind control and it helps everyone to recognise
propaganda so that we will not fall prey to it, analyse underlying assumptions in
arguments, consider the credibility of an information source, and think of the best
possible way to solve problems.
There are countless examples of the need for critical thinking; some are as follows:
a) Bullying cases among teenagers;
Figure 6.1 Figure 6.1 Bullying case in a school
Source
Source
Source:
b) Citizens who believes in political campaigns;
c) Employees who are being exploited by employers;
d) People who are being rude.

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We have to be mindful of the need to educate people to think critically since their
early age. Being critical thinkers will enable us to be more evaluative and make
better decisions.
EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE THAT CRITICAL
THINKING CAN BE IMPROVED
If you have been thinking critically about the idea of improving how you think,
then you have probably begun to wonder if there is any evidence that thinking can
be improved. Numerous research has found that various forms of thinking courses
and curriculum provide substantial evidence that it is possible to use education to
improve the ability to think critically.