Critical thinking involves the application of various cognitive skills related to data, patterns, and relationships to the solution of a problem (e.g., Facts & Knowledge, Memory & Recollection, Scientific Methodology, Logic, Meditation & Reflection, Valuation, Convergence & Divergence, Non-linear thinking, Analysis, Association, Valuation, Lateral thinking, Writing & Drawing, Close reading, Concepts, Reasoning & Rationality, Sensory Perception, Strategic Thinking, Rhetorical Modes, Creative Imagincation, Abstraction, Association, Mathematical Reasoning, Synthesis, Interpretation, Concrete thinking, Skepticism, Disciplinary approaches). In finding a solution, a person often feels a sense of pleasure and satisfaction. This often motivates the person to continue engaging in thinking for the sheer pleasure it brings. Sometimes, solutions are ambiguous or incomplete resulting in a return to the process by restating or reformulating the problem. The kinds of solutions that may be achieved may lead to metacognition, an insight into and awareness of the process of thinking; a paradigm shift, resulting in a new perception or awareness regarding the problem and its solution; the development of a new theory or concepts related to the problem studied; or applications of results that can be used to address the problem, address similar problems, or suggest courses of actions for other studies.
Problem
Cognitive Skills
Facts & Knowledge
Memory & Recollection
Scientific Methodology
Logic
Meditation & Reflection
Valuation
Convergence & Divergence
Non-linear thinking
Analysis
Association
Valuation
Lateral thinking
Writing & Drawing
Close reading
Concepts
Reasoning & Rationality
Sensory Perception
Strategic Thinking
Rhetorical Modes
Creative Imagincation
Abstraction
Association
Mathematical Reasoning
Synthesis
Interpretation
Concrete thinking
Skepticism
Disciplinary approaches
Restatement
or
Refinement
of problem
Thinking
for
the pleasure
of thinking
Metacognition Paradigm shift Theory (Concept formation) Application (Course of action)
