Blog 4: CT dispositons

Critical thinking as a use of a set of dispositions can be both problematic and valuable. According to Ritchhart some of the most valuable sets of dispositions having an open-mind, been curious, meta-cognitive, truth-seeking, being strategic and skepticism. Dispositions such as meta-cognitive thinking, having an open-mind and truth-seeking are valuable in the sense that it may rule out biases. It is also valuable in using valid research and evidence to further prove a point. To be a good critical thinker I believe is a very complex task. You have to be disciplined in many ways one in which is to know what dispositions are your strong suit and to illustrate them though practice. In this way critical thinking as a set of dispositions can then become problematic. Some may not know what their strong sets of dispositions are and may not use them properly. This can then lead to complications such as not staying on topic, using biases in stating a position and also not having the proper research or evidence for the topic. Furthermore I am guilty of not activating my dispositions properly while dealing with the research topic. This made it difficult to find research on the topics and also not being able to properly stand firm in my position. Dispositions that come naturally to me include curiosity, self awareness of cognitive activities and also having an open- mind. Although these are my strongest set of dispositions, improvements can still be made. The one disposition that I need to work on developing the most is having an open-mind. While it is easy to weight out all the possible positions in your head, it is hard to keep your own biases out. Not being biased is an important part of critical thinking. When an individual is biased, it directly makes everything else unbalanced. This includes research, evidence and the constant possibility of participation in conformation bias. In the future to further develop my CT dispositions. I will practice them in the appropriate settings and learn how to pinpoint which ones to used at a particular time.

Blog 3: Critical Thinking Skills

I find that Critical thinking as a use of skill sets can be valuable but also problematic. It is valuable to use these sets of skills in keeping biases out and also with giving valid evidence based research reasons/to back up a position. It is problematic in the sense that we can never truly keep our biases out, even the research that we do can be biased, based on the individual's position. It was very hard to use these skills effectively when dealing with the research topic. The research topic for discussion was the cost of higher education and should college be free. While in class, where everyone was freely discussing the topic and just sharing opinions it was easily flowing. Upon the next meeting where the facts had to be presented based on the research done on the topic it was harder to back up the position that was stated in the previous class. My weaknesses are that I did not find sufficient amount of research to back up my position and also I did not keep my biases out. I will work on my weaknesses by finding more research through evaluating and analyzing all sources to clarify my position.In order to keep biases I will have to self- regulate. According to critical thinking expert Facione; self- regulation is an important skill in critical thinking. It is to be consciously aware of your own cognitive activities. Therefore a good critical thinker can be successful if they are able to effectively apply all the necessary skills.

Blog 2: Conformation Bias and impact on my Thinking Hero

Conformation bias is the one aspect that impacted my own critical thinking the most. From what I have learn thus far, conformation bias is to already have a built up presumption or judgement about a certain topic, person etc, while seeking further evidence or research that backs up all of your beliefs; however you ignore all the evidence that goes against your point of view even if may be more valid. I for one am guilty of this, but on a regular basis each individual participates in this act unknowingly.  The fact that we do this without knowing is the reason why it has impacted my critical thinking so much. Critical thinking as defined by our class is to be aware of what you are thinking in other words to be proactively involved in your thought process. If in individual is aware that he or is participating in conformation bias then they should still be considered a good critical thinker. If that individual is not aware of the fact that he or she is participation in conformation bias then they are not a good critical thinker. 

A good critical thinker is free of all bias therefore my thinking hero is still considered a good Critical Thinker. My hero cannot be susceptible to these kinds of errors because their thoughts, actions and decisions have an impact on others. The well been of another human being depends on their ability to be free of errors and critically think of the best of the best solutions. As a nurse and a mother my thinking hero has to also be an advocate which is a branch or argumentation. As a nurse advocate you are playing the role of defendant or supporter to your patient or patients therefore you would also have to be good at constructing arguments. As an advocate you have to hold strong to your position supported by reasons which are back up by evidence and research. In a scenario where the the doctor orders a medication to be given to a certain patient; as the nurse you have more interaction with that patient more so than the doctors and you are the one distributing the medication, you know how that patient reacts when they receive that medication. It is now your duty as a nurse to advocate for that patient as to why they should or should not receive that particular medication backed up not only by your own observations but also by the patient's health record. Therefore my hero will remain a good Critical Thinker. 

Blog 1 - My thinking Hero

My thinking hero is my mother. I chose my mother as my thinking hero because I always saw my mom as someone who makes rational decisions. Being a mom requires a lot of thinking. Not only do you have to think in order to make decisions regarding your own life but you also have to take into consideration the effects it may have on your child. The way that my mother thinks fits the class's definition of a Critical Thinker. My mother is a person who is always on the move.I can say that she is active not only in her thinking but life in general. In order to be an active person, you also have to be an active thinker. This concept plays a very important role in critical thinking. My mother's line of work requires her to be a critical thinker. As a Registered Nurse it is her duty to think rationally and analyze thoughts over and over again in order to reach a common goal. Her thoughts require her to be focused and alert because the ultimate goals of her thought process affects a mass amount of individuals. For the reasons stated above, it explains why my mother is my thinking hero.