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Self-Ratings
Rate your critical thinking abilities after you read the first chapter, and again after you read the last.
Click on the tabs below to view the content for each chapter.
Chapter 1 - Thinking: An Introduction
Self-Ratings of Critical Thinking Skills and Dispositions
The purpose of the introductory chapter is get readers to think about their own thinking and to make judgments about their own strengths and weaknesses. Consider each of the thinking skills listed below. Rate your ability with each of the skills using the following scale:
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
extremely poor average superior
1. Recognition, identification and control of variables-- recognizing, controlling or weighing multiple influences in solving problems. For example, interpreting historical phenomena by sorting political and social factors using the available information and deciding whether there are cause and effect relationships or whether variables are too confounded to permit a reliable inference.
2. Awareness of gaps in knowledge or information--recognizing when you have failed to understand material because you can't establish the meaning of a term or there is incomplete information provided.
3. Understanding the need for operational definitions--recognizing when a concept has not been clearly defined and the need for using only words of prior definition in forming a new definition.
4. Considering the strength of the reasons that support a conclusion--listing the reasons in an argument and considering how well they support a conclusion along with assumptions, qualifiers, and counterarguments that impact on the level of support.
5. Drawing inferences from data and evidence, including correlational reasoning--considering sample size, measurement, and convergent validity when assessing empirical data.
6. Using rational criteria when making decisions--listing and weighing alternatives and criteria that are important in reaching a decision.
7. Systematically applying a plan for solving problems--being consciously aware of problem solving strategies and applying them systematically when faced with a difficult decision.
8. Reading for comprehension--monitoring comprehension of difficult text and knowing when to reread and when to skim; includes the frequent use of paraphrase and summaries.
___ 9. Concern for accuracy--habitually checking work for accuracy and for comprehension.
10. Trying creative approaches--making the effort to generate novel and useful responses to problems.
11. Deliberately using multiple modes of thought--trying to think both in spatial, verbal, and nonverbal modes.
12. Working in a planful manner--looking ahead and anticipating difficulties when working on a problem.
13. Communication skills--communicating clearly and effectively when speaking and writing.
14. Recognizing propaganda--recognizing propagandistic techniques that are designed as emotional appeals.
15. Maintaining an open attitude--willingness to suspend judgment and to accept a non-preferred alternative if it is well reasoned.
Look back over your answers. Do not see any patterns of weaknesses or strengths? At the end of this exercise book, you will be asked to rate yourself a second time on these variables. At that time, you can compare the way you answered these questions today with the way you will answer them when you finish the exercises available on this companion website.
Chapter 11 - The Last Word
Self-Ratings of Critical Thinking Skills and Dispositions
In the introductory chapter, you rated your own thinking and made judgments about your strengths and weaknesses. Without looking back at your answers, reconsider your strengths and weaknesses now that you have read the accompanying text and worked your way through the exercises in this book. Consider each of the thinking skills listed below. Rate your ability with each of the skills using the following scale:
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
extremely poor average superior
1. Recognition, identification and control of variables-- recognizing, controlling or weighing multiple influences in solving problems. For example, interpreting historical phenomena by sorting political and social factors using the available information and deciding whether there are cause and effect relationships or whether variables are too confounded to permit a reliable inference.
2. Awareness of gaps in knowledge or information--recognizing when you have failed to understand material because you can't establish the meaning of a term or there is incomplete information provided.
3. Understanding the need for operational definitions--recognizing when a concept has not been clearly defined and the need for using only words of prior definition in forming a new definition.
4. Considering the strength of the reasons that support a conclusion--listing the reasons in an argument and considering how well they support a conclusion along with assumptions, qualifiers, and counterarguments that impact on the level of support.
5. Drawing inferences from data and evidence, including correlational reasoning--considering sample size, measurement, and convergent validity when assessing empirical data.
6. Using rational criteria when making decisions--listing and weighing alternatives and criteria that are important in reaching a decision.
7. Systematically applying a plan for solving problems--being consciously aware of problem solving strategies and applying them systematically when faced with a difficult decision.
8. Reading for comprehension--monitoring comprehension of difficult text and knowing when to reread and when to skim; includes the frequent use of paraphrase and summaries.
___ 9. Concern for accuracy--habitually checking work for accuracy and for comprehension.
10. Trying creative approaches--making the effort to generate novel and useful responses to problems.
11. Deliberately using multiple modes of thought--trying to think both in spatial, verbal, and nonverbal modes.
12. Working in a planful manner--looking ahead and anticipating difficulties when working on a problem.
13. Communication skills--communicating clearly and effectively when speaking and writing. 1. Recognition, identification and control of variables-- recognizing, controlling or weighing multiple influences in solving problems. For example, interpreting historical phenomena by sorting political and social factors using the available information and deciding whether there are cause and effect relationships or whether variables are too confounded to permit a reliable inference.
2. Awareness of gaps in knowledge or information--recognizing when you have failed to understand material because you can't establish the meaning of a term or there is incomplete information provided.
3. Understanding the need for operational definitions--recognizing when a concept has not been clearly defined and the need for using only words of prior definition in forming a new definition.
4. Considering the strength of the reasons that support a conclusion--listing the reasons in an argument and considering how well they support a conclusion along with assumptions, qualifiers, and counterarguments that impact on the level of support.
5. Drawing inferences from data and evidence, including correlational reasoning--considering sample size, measurement, and convergent validity when assessing empirical data.
6. Using rational criteria when making decisions--listing and weighing alternatives and criteria that are important in reaching a decision.
7. Systematically applying a plan for solving problems--being consciously aware of problem solving strategies and applying them systematically when faced with a difficult decision.
8. Reading for comprehension--monitoring comprehension of difficult text and knowing when to reread and when to skim; includes the frequent use of paraphrase and summaries.
9. Concern for accuracy--habitually checking work for accuracy and for comprehension.
10. Trying creative approaches--making the effort to generate novel and useful responses to problems.
11. Deliberately using multiple modes of thought--trying to think both in spatial, verbal, and nonverbal modes.
12. Working in a planful manner--looking ahead and anticipating difficulties when working on a problem.
13. Communication skills--communicating clearly and effectively when speaking and writing.
14. Recognizing propaganda--recognizing propagandistic techniques that are designed as emotional appeals.
15. Maintaining an open attitude--willingness to suspend judgment and to accept a nonpreferred alternative if it is well reasoned.
Look back over your answers. Do you see any patterns of weaknesses or strengths? Compare the way you answered these questions today with the way you answered them before you read the text and worked through the exercises. I expect that you rated yourself lower on some of the skills than you did at the start of the book, probably because you are now more aware of what these skills entail. A lower self-rating does not mean that you lost ability; more likely it means that you are better able to make thoughtful judgments.