Critical Thinking and Decision Making.
Over the years critical thinking has come to be a highly desirable tool that more and more people strive to master in order to be successful in the professional world. Critical thinking provides control over one's thinking as opposed to average day-to-day thinking. Critical thinking relies on logic and reasoning. It also requires that we recognize our own assumptions, perceptions, prejudices, biases, and points of view. I believe that critical thinking promotes an independent thinker. An individual who is patient throughout the thinking process, who evaluates and organizes his or her thoughts before making any impulsive decisions or coming up with an idea without any support. Critical thinking allows us to better understand issues, rather then making any premature conclusions or quick solutions. .
One of the definitions of critical thinking is that the process consists of an awareness of interrelated critical questions, the ability to ask and answer critical questions at appropriate times, and a desire to actively use the critical questions. Critical questions provide a structure for critical thinking that supports an ongoing research for better opinions, decisions, or judgments. (Readings in Critical Thinking, 2003). .
Effective decision making is another possession wished for by the professional world, and not only. Every person would like to be able to make solid and effective decisions in their personal life as well. We can say that decision making happens almost every minute of our lives ranging between what we are having for breakfast and how to increase productivity of the work team. No matter how big or small, decisions have to be made in order to choose between the available alternatives. .
Decision making is a process that entails carefully defining and isolating the problem, gathering of information, setting and creating alternatives, then making the decision from the best alternative.