WEEK 15

THE CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS TO

CRITICAL THINKING IN THE 21ST CENTURY

The ability to think critically is one skill separating innovators and leaders from followers.
It combats the power of advertisers and capitalistic media, unmasks the unscrupulous
and pretentious, and exposes unsupported arguments.

Students enjoy learning the skill because they immediately see how it gives them more
control. They argue better in school. They persuade people around them much easier.
They build confidence to influence others.

Critical thinking is simple. It is merely the ability to understand why things are the way
they are and to understand the potential consequences of actions.

A World of Illusions

In particular, people adopt false ideas for several reasons:

 People believe stories because they are the ones available (due to lack of other
source)
 Beliefs may justify past actions (to pacify guilt and protect pride)
 People may not recognize the significance of their own perceptions (due to low
self-esteem and poor sense of self-worth)
 People may not want to question their beliefs (to avoid disappointing or painful
reality)

These reasons, on their own, can already be considered as challenges that hinder
people from critically thinking in the modern times. Hence, you must learn to identify the
common barriers to critical thinking in the 21st century, avoid them, adapt to them or
accept them as they are if no choice is available.

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The Challenges and Barriers to Critical Thinking in the 21 Century
Barriers in the 21st Century

Aside from the emergence of fake news, which is considered as the biggest challenge
after the advent of the internet and social media in particular, people in this generation
are facing other barriers that affect the critical thinking process.

1. Egocentric Thinking

Egocentric thinking is a natural tendency to view everything in relation to oneself,

sometimes to a point of having narcissistic or messianic mindsets. This type of thinking
leads to the inability to sympathize with others or analyze and evaluate various
perspectives. Sadly, since most egocentric people are not willing or cannot see this
character flaw within them, this increases the difficulty in overcoming the barrier.

As students explore themselves and their rightful places where they can fill accepted
and appreciated, egocentric thinking may become more apparent. After all, they need
experiences, opportunities for debate, brainstorming sessions, and the chance to ask
meaningful questions in order to recognize and understand the viewpoints of others.
Problem arises when initial victory or compliment gets into their head, making them
think that one opportune moment of success in the past can define all of their future
actions and decisions.

2. Groupthink

Groupthink is described as a mental phenomenon where people belonging to the same

group adopt the same manner of thinking and the same principles, regardless of how
irrational or illogical they are, for the sake of maintaining a harmonious relationship or
reputation. This is how online trends start, as people start supporting trending opinions
to feel relevant, acknowledged and given importance, to point when they no longer care
if what they say online reflects their true opinions and values or not.

Groupthink can lead to unhealthy decision-making patterns. Like egocentric thinking, it

is difficult to overcome. Breaking the cycle requires individuals to stand apart from the
group and question opinions, thoughts, and popular ideas. This can be especially
difficult for adolescents, but teachers can play a key role in encouraging independent
thought and action in students.

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The Challenges and Barriers to Critical Thinking in the 21 Century
3. Drone Mentality

If you have a drone mentality, this means you do not pay attention to what is going on
around you. You only pay attention to your point of view from atop, not minding what
really happens on the ground at face value. Daily routines often lead to a drone
mentality and can prevent or cause a loss of critical thinking skills. This is especially true
when your mind automatically ignores stressors even when they are necessary for you
to understand reality.

This mentality is dangerous in a classroom because learners forget how to respond to

new circumstances. It also causes them to shy away from challenges for the sake of
ease and convenience. They prefer to stay cooped up in their comfort zones, possibly
due to fear of getting rejection, getting embarrassed in front of other people, or feeling
disappointed of themselves.

Teachers are students should be in constant connection with each other to remove
whatever barrier there is that makes learning awkward and frightening at times.

4. Social Conditioning

Unwanted assumptions and stereotyping lead to social conditioning. Commercialism

and capitalism do not seem to help either as they dominate media with information
controlled by profit-based desires. This social conditioning blinds us from the realization
that we are making assumptions and stereotyping in the first place. We often think not
the way we should, but how capitalists want us to think.

The ability to think outside of the spectrum is a priceless asset because most students
do not realize they are being conditioned to think a certain way. Thus, completely
owning one’s thoughts is a special characteristic that not everyone gets to enjoy.

Teachers can help their learners by presenting objective information and then by
subsequently providing different interpretations, which may be used by students as
examples to create their own interpretations later on.

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The Challenges and Barriers to Critical Thinking in the 21 Century
5. Biased Experiences

Personal biases can prohibit critical thinking because they prevent the thinker from
being fair, inquisitive and open-minded. This kind of thinking can also prevent an
individual from using experience, reasoning and common sense to make informed
decisions.

6. Time Pressure

It is especially important that teachers do their best to create a learning schedule that is
not hindered by time constraints. However, since this is not possible for all activities and
quizzes due to class scheduling concerns, students should also adhere to set rules and
instructions to avoid experiencing any problems.

Prioritization, nonetheless, is becoming a challenge for many learners belonging to the

younger generation due to the advent of the internet, especially with social media and
online games readily accessible for everyone. Hence, it is of utmost importance for all
learners to clearly identify and understand their goals in life, which should comprise their
priority list.

7. Intolerance and Arrogance

Intolerance and arrogance are never characteristics that will match the descriptions of
genuine critical thinkers. Furthermore, finding solutions is almost impossible while
having close-mindedness. Without critical thinking skills, people usually react
thoughtlessly and recklessly to situations. Nonetheless, what they should do is assess
and take responsibility for their decisions and action while also accepting the rewards or
consequences that follow those decisions and actions.

Intolerance and arrogance undermine creativity, which, consequentially, leaves no room

for other suggestions for problem-solving. If learners believe no better solution to a
problem exists, a teacher must have students question their logic.
 What do I think about this topic?
 What could be the reason behind this thought?
 Where and how did I know about this information?
 What does the information imply?

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  Would it be more beneficial if I change my view?

Critical thinkers do not accept information presented in front of them right away. They sort
out and filter what needs to be accepted and what needs to be rejected. That is only
possible if you keep asking questions and challenging the veracity of information presented
to you.

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