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Chapter 15 - Conclusion: How to Think Critically about Politics … and Anything Else!

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 December 2019

By
Robert J. Sternberg  and
Diane F. Halpern
Edited by
Robert J. Sternberg  and
Diane F. Halpern
Robert J. Sternberg
Affiliation:
Cornell University, New York
Diane F. Halpern
Affiliation:
Claremont McKenna College, California
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Summary

Contemporary politics provides numerous examples in which people fail to use critical thinking skills. There are many obstacles to critical thinking including, overconfidence, obsession with fantasies, and disregard for the truth, among others. To help students develop their critical thinking skills, universities need to be sure that critical thinking is being taught and that it is valued. Instructors need to use real-life examples that are relevant to their students’ lives, and teach students to recognize and overcome the many obstacles to critical thinking. Individuals can improve how they think about political issues by listening to diverse viewpoints, becoming informed about political issues, rewarding politicians who compromise to reach a goal, breaking down echo chambers, and valuing evidence-based thinking.

Keywords

critical thinkingdomain-generalthinking skillsreal-life examplesfoolishnesscognitive laziness
Type
Chapter
Information
Critical Thinking in Psychology , pp. 354 - 376
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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