To me, critical thinking means trying to find the meaning behind information. It means taking a good long look at it, analyzing the details and clues to anything from an event, to a speech or research paper. For example, when your significant other says don’t worry about, you should worry about it. That means you are in hot water. This is a situation where you would need to use critical thinking to get yourself out of hot water, as quickly and as safely as possible. You need to use critical thinking to analyze the events in the day, and the actions that took place that got you to the point where you are at right now. You will need to analyze your significant other’s body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions to get the true meaning behind what he or she is truly feeling and trying to communicate to you.
I have worked for a commercial bank for the past 8 years, in that time I have used critical thinking every single day and developed personal habits doing so. I am constantly in contact with the public and in am in a position where I am responsible for protecting the bank from fraud done intentionally or not by our customers. Each situation that presents itself in regards to fraudulent activity requires critical thinking. It requires looking at the situation from a different perspective, one which does not give the customer the benefit of the doubt. Once the fraudulent situation presents itself, everything there on out must be looked at, and listened to critically. Paying attention to the customer’s answers to your questions including, what they say, how they say it, if they change their story, and if their story makes sense.
I have recently begun using my critical thinking habits developed at work in other areas of my life to help me make the best decision for myself. Examples of the other areas of my life are everything from choosing my major, applying for a position, planning my diet, and the right choosing friends.
I analyze politics sometimes but not a whole lot because that can be exhausting. There are so many variables that I feel I would need to become a politician to able to analyze politics effectively.
I do analyze the media when I am watching TV or reading the newspaper. I try not to watch certain news programs because I feel they are biased and are not providing me with accurate information. I dislike being misled into having the wrong opinion about a topic because I was given subliminal messages. I feel that it is unfair and an invasion of my intellect. This is why I only like to watch the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, and the National Geographic channel. They are not perfect, but much better than the rest of TV.
I probably can over analyze my professional endeavors and future career goals. I have done this for many years, trying to plan for evey possible outcome and find a fool proof career, which does not exist.
I hope to build the critical thinking skills necessary to help me in all areas of my life, mainly my career. I don’t know how I will view the world differently by the end of our semester, but I am sure I will view it differently.
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