1. Management and Law Department
(MLD)
Centre for Foundation Studies and Extension Education
(FOSEE)
PCR0025
Critical Thinking
All Foundation
ONLINE NOTES
FOSEE , MULTIMEDIA UNIVERSITY (436821-T)
MELAKA CAMPUS, JALAN AYER KEROH LAMA, 75450 MELAKA, MALAYSIA.
Tel 606 252 3594 Fax 606 231 8799
URL: http://fosee.mmu.edu.my/~asd/

2. PCR0015 Critical Thinking Topic 1
Topic 1: Introduction to Critical Thinking
Definition of Critical Thinking
Cognitive skills and intellectual dispositions needed to effectively identify,
analyze, and evaluate arguments and truth claims, to discover and
overcome personal prejudices and biases, to formulate and present
convincing reasons in support of conclusions, and to make reasonable,
intelligent decisions about what to believe and what to do.
Critical Thinking Standards
1. Clarity
• In order to effectively evaluate a person’s argument or claim,
we need to understand clearly what he or she is saying.
2. Precision
• Precise thinking includes knowing exactly what is the
argument or issues and to avoid confusions and uncertainties
that surround many everyday problems and issues.
3. Accuracy
• Accurate information will guarantee you to make correct
decision and conclusion.
4. Relevance
• The need to stay focus on relevant ideas and information and
not to be deceived by irrelevant issues.
5. Consistency
• If information is inconsistent, one of them must be false. We
need to be aware of inconsistencies, both in our own thinking
and in the arguments and assertions of others.
6. Logical correctness
• The need to draw well-founded conclusions from the
accurate and well-supported beliefs we hold.
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3. PCR0015 Critical Thinking Topic 1
7. Completeness
• The need to have deep and thorough thinking.
8. Fairness
• The need to be openminded, impartial, and free of distorting
biases and preconceptions.
The benefits of Critical Thinking
1. Critical thinking in the classroom
2. Critical thinking in the workplace
3. Critical thinking in life
Barriers to Critical Thinking
1. Egocentrism
• Tendency to see reality as centered on oneself
a. Self-interested thinking
b. Self-serving bias
2. Sociocentrism
• A group centered thinking. Focussing excessively on the group.
a. Group bias
b. Herd Instinct (conformism)
3. Unwarranted Assumptions and Stereotypes
4. Wishful Thinking
• Believing something not because you had good evidence for it
but simply because you wish it we true.
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