Qualities of Critical Thinkers

Before you watch the video clip, brainstorm a list of qualities of critical
thinkers.

Idea generation coming up with new ideas, new alternatives to solving problems, and new variations on a
theme (flexibility, fluency, originality, divergent thinking).

Curiosity wanting to know more about something; a desire to dig deeper into a subject; an unwillingness to
settle for conventional explanations.

Imagination the faculty or action of producing ideas, especially mental images of what is not present or
had not been experienced; the ability to consider alternative points of views; ways of life; and beliefs both
across time and across social and physical space. Imagination is also the ability to pose counterfactuals
(what ifs), to suppose, and to reason through the implications of such alternative scenarios.

Reasoning by metaphor and analogy finding homologies; recognizing common traits across otherwise
dissimilar phenomena; interpreting or communicating something that is unfamiliar or ambiguous by means
of comparing it to something more familiar and recognizable.

Elaboration related to curiosity is the desire and ability to extend an insight, story or discovery -- to
consider repercussions, to push an argument to its extremes, to unpack statements and observations.

Complexity ability to identify and recognize non-obvious problems; question assumptions; see multiple
paths of causation; consider multiple variables; formulate numerous hypotheses; recognize missing
elements; tolerate ambiguity.

Maureen Szulczewski/LSH 2203/2014

Watch the clip at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUGDsdkyHuw

1. Which two famous detectives are mentioned?
Sherlock Holmes and Inspector clouseau
2. Which detective are you most like in your approach to problem solving? Why?
Becoming a solution detective. A strengths based guide to brief therapy.

3. How many of the characteristics of critical thinkers mentioned in the clip are
on your list? 15

4. Discuss and Match the characteristics of critical thinkers with their

meanings. Write the correct number in the grey column.
Characteristic
a. Habitually
inquisitive

12

Meaning
1. not biased when approaching a
problem

b. Well informed

2. objective in when looking at problems

c. Trustful of
reason
d. Open-minded

3. very careful

e. Flexible

11

4. ask specific questions and gather

specific information
5. ask questions, try to find right
information

f.

6. look for specific answers, dont give up

easily

13

7.

Fair-minded

g. Honest in facing
personal biases
h. Prudent in
making
judgments
i. Willing to
reconsider

Maureen Szulczewski/LSH 2203/2014

understand different problems and

issues
8. rely on reasoning and logic

9. will modify their position if new

information appears

j.
k.
l.

m.

n.
o.
p.

Clear about
issues
Orderly in
complex matters
Diligent about
seeking relevant
information
Reasonable in
the selection of
criteria
Focused in
enquiry
Diligent in
seeking results
Persistent in
seeking precise
results

15

10. ask the right questions

16

11. look at different things in different

ways and from different perspectives
12.always trying to find things out, looking
for new questions

14

13. recognize own biases and try to put

them aside

14. make objective decisions about which

criteria to select
15.clear about the issues theyre dealing
with
16.solve problems in an organized way

6
10

5. Discuss
Which of the above characteristics do you have? Give an example for each
characteristic you mention.
1. Diligent about seeking relevant information. ask questions, try to find right
information

Which of the above are difficult for you? Why?

Reasonable in the selection of criteria. recognize own biases and try to put them
aside.

Maureen Szulczewski/LSH 2203/2014