critical thinking vs problem solving

critical thinking vs problem solving

The Importance of Critical Thinking in Problem Solving

1. Introduction

Throughout our lives, many of us are familiar with solving difficult problems. Whether solving a problem for a client, lining up the children’s schedules, or resolving personal dilemmas, the problems could be small, simple, complex, or overwhelming. The ability to solve problems is a skill, and like any other skill, it can be learned. But it is one thing to learn about problem solving and quite another to engage in it with a critical mind. It is well known that not all problem solving involves decision making. Either way, the decision-making process often involves some form of problem analysis. This is logical, since by definition, decision making involves the selection of a course of action from a number of alternatives. Given the importance of decision making to solving problems, it stands to reason that we should be concerned with the quality of our decision making. Being skillful in critical thinking and decision making will enable us to reason well, to think critically, and to be judicious and decisive in making choices. When we make the best decisions, we are likely to solve problems effectively and to make a positive impact. At the heart of our attempts to develop a strong decision-making (therefore problem-solving) competency will be our attempts to improve our critical thinking and judgment.

2. Understanding Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is thinking that assesses itself (Center for Critical Thinking, 1996b). It lies at the heart of reasoning. It is a mode of thinking about any subject, content, or problem in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully taking charge of the structures inherent in thinking and imposing intellectual standards upon them. Might we have to reconsider the defining characteristic of critical thinking if critical thinking is to be found in an indigenous system of thought? We cannot assume a priori that all thought is possessing of thinking abilities like those within general critical thinking dispositions. Elder (1996) goes on to say, “Because indigenous peoples’ thinking styles often differ markedly from the critical thinking standards of Western, analytic, atomistic, abstract thought they are often deemed to be poor thinkers” (p.20). Although a controversial point, if critical thinking can be improved in quality, it stands to reason that it can also decline in quality. This happens when we inadvertently impose or passively translate private indigenous thought using unintended dominant systems of thought and therein make uncritical intellectual decisions not to assess or correct our own thinking. This might unintentionally lead to intellectual or social damage. This is quite a contrast from the message that all thought is valuable and deserves to flourish. Therefore, we must also take into consideration the effect of enhancing critical thinking abilities for the betterment of a group of people or for the maintenance of quality thought itself.

3. The Role of Critical Thinking in Problem Solving

Critical thinking is an essential element in decision-making, which involves choices, and problem-solving, which requires analysis. Making a decision on a choice, or analyzing a problem involves the following thought process: awareness of a problem, identifying and defining the problem, assessing alternative solutions, and choosing the best of these. In order to apply all these stages, decisions must be made using critical thinking. In problem solving, it is a higher order thinking that enables an individual to understand and assess a current situation where a solution is to be found. Decision making and problem solving are ongoing processes of evaluating situations or problems, considering alternatives, making choices, and following them up with the necessary actions. Often times, a problem might be one that has recurred over a long period of time, and due to misconceptions or previous conclusions, has not been solved. This further emphasizes the importance of critical thinking because it forces the thinker to take into account the problem from many angles, consider the alternatives, and reveal the best solution. In complex problems with many variables and possible outcomes, it becomes difficult to predict the success of a solution. In this situation, critical thinking is useful because it enables a plan that will increase the chances of success, assessing all the potential problem areas. In simpler problems where a solution is easy to find, critical thinking may seem unnecessary. However, it is the continual consideration of the solution and the risk of implementing it, assessing its effect and being ready to redefine the problem if the solution does not work, that will give the best results. This process will decrease the risk of the problem recurring due to a poor solution.

4. Developing Critical Thinking Skills

Complex problem solving is, in essence, the critical episodes in which critical thinking is the core component. Problems are undertaken to seek a better situation. “A problem is any situation in which you have a goal, but do not know how to get from where you are to where you want to be” (Polya, G., 1945). Complex problems have multiple goals and uncertainty over the best path to reaching the goal. This has been simplified into the definition “Complex problems have known solutions.” Everywhere a complex problem is defined, in numerous disciplines, the nature of the problem is always the same. So the approach to complex problem solving and the skills required should also be consistent. Critical thinking can be characterized on a very general note: “more often when you think critically you are developing new, often unsettling, insights” and it involves the application of all the cognitive skills. However, critical thinking has a large number of definitions and it would be easier if critical thinking could be broken down into categories of cognitive skill. This will provide a framework from which there is an understanding of its relevance towards complex problem solving and an approach for instruction. This is not to say that critical thinking should be pigeonholed into one tripartite “executing a skill method” model as is suggested by Bloom and Paul. Yet having a framework is important.

Many educators have suggested that the most universal cognitive skill in which exercises should be incorporated is critical thinking. While at some “easy” level this may be true, even basic problems require an understanding of the problem and decision making is based upon that understanding (Dawson, P. & Guare, R., 1972). Often the process is overlooked because the solution seems obvious, however this is a narrow-minded, short-term approach. A broad definition of critical thinking is important given that there are numerous definitions for critical thinking: a tripartite model executed by a set of cognitive skills, a critical spirit that involves the continual application of intellect, and a set of composite thinking standards. Though critical thinking is a widely discussed topic, it is apparent that a shortage exists in instruction to assist in developing critical thinking skills and that critical thinking is used as an umbrella term in which all cognitive processes are packaged within.

5. Conclusion

Critical thinking teaches you to make a creative plan for solving a problem and it will also help you in implementation of a plan to assess its effectiveness. With these whole things continuously you will learn to make a learning loop which is what to do and what not to do. In this way you will able to distinguish between good and bad ideas and these ideas will innovate new concepts to solve a problem and most important it will leave you with no regret. A person’s ability to make a quick decisions and problem solving is what distinguishes him from other and best utilization of knowledge and experience to make best decisions brings effective outcomes for difficult problems. All these capabilities and decision making according to the situation are the result of a good critical thinking and a person becomes expert in his field. But of course all these abilities require a time to develop and constant learning. Without doubt it is a journey towards a successful problem solving.

The conclusion is that how much critical thinking is important the most in problem solving. There are so many ways of teaching strategies for critical thinking which are being followed in institute. Learning critical thinking will help you in analysis of problem and understand the problem on deeper level. The better understanding of a problem will lead you to find the effective method to solve a problem. Critical thinking will help you in prediction of problem that is about what can be the potential problem in future and it also helps in making effective decisions.