Critical Thinking Application Paper

Critical Thinking Application Paper

The purpose of this paper is to define the meaning of critical thinking. The paper will also include the importance and benefits of one's critical thinking ability. It will describe a complete and well detailed experience that benefited from critical thinking and its result. The conclusion describes the behavior of a critical thinker and the importance of it.

What is Critical Thinking? Critical thinking is a crucial instrument to good decision-making. Individuals have biases or prejudices which can obstruct good decision making. Critical thinking may vary depending on the original motivation. When decisions are based on egocentric intentions; they are often distinct by manipulation of ideas to service one's own interest. To be an effective critical thinker one has to have the capacity to look at the facts and make a decision based exclusively on the facts.

Critical thinking is important it is a domain-general thinking skill. Without the ability to think through problems, gather information and apply logic, individuals would be on the same intellectual level as animals. Individuals would react based on emotion and need. Individuals would not think about the implications of our actions. Critical thinking is not a matter of accumulating information. Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally. It includes the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking. Critical thinking is that mode of thinking about any subject, content, or problem in which that thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing it (Paul & Elder, 2006).

I have worked for the same company for about 3 years. I have held positions in personal care and housekeeping, and most recently, as a residential aid. These positions have each presented opportunities to apply critical thinking. One remarkable example was my choice to apply for a position in my current division. At the time, I was the person responsible for providing patients good care and service. I had to drive to the client's home, use my own gasoline, and most important had to work mostly evenings and weekends. On the home front, I was not able to put dinner on the table, bring work home, and was always on call. When the service coordinator position was posted, I was very interested but needed to weigh the benefits of both positions. I developed an outline with pros and cons for me to assist with the decision.

* Pay

o Aid- Salary

o Coordinator- hourly

* Hours

o Aid- M-F 12 to 7, on call, some weekends

o Coordinator- M-F 7 to 4

* Supervision

o Aid-