Critical Thinking
&
Decision Making
CRITICAL
THINKIN
G
Definition
Critical thinking is reasonable, reflective
thinking that is focused on deciding what to
believe or do. - Robert Ennis
Definition
Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined
process of actively and skilfully conceptualizing,
applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating
information gathered from, or generated by,
observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or
communication, as a guide to belief and action.
(National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking)
Levels of Critical Thinking
PROCESS OF CRITICAL THINKING
Step 1: Identify the problem, the relevant information about the problem.
(low cognitive complexity)
Step 2: Explore interpretations and connections.
This includes recognize one's own bias, articulating the reasoning
associated with alternative points of view, and organizing information
in meaningful ways. (moderate cognitive complexity)
Step 3: Prioritize alternatives and communicate conclusions.
This includes thorough analysis, developing the guidelines, and
defending the solution option chosen. (high cognitive complexity
Step 4: Integrate, monitor, and refine strategies for re-addressing the
problem.
This includes acknowledging limitations of chosen solution and
developing an ongoing process for generating and using new
information. (highest cognitive complexity)
Process
Components of the Critical Thinking
Perception Assumption
Emotion Language
Argument Fallacy
Logic Problem
solving
Components of the Critical Thinking
• Perception: Perception refers to the way we
receive and translate our experiences.
• Eg: In the workplace, one employee will perceive
a co-worker to be a constructive decision-maker,
while at the same time, another sees the same
employee as an adversarial roadblock to progress.
Assumptions:
• Trying to identify the assumptions that underlie
the ideas, beliefs, values, and actions is central to
critical thinking.
• Example: when you buy a new car, you assume
that it will run without problems for a while.
• When you go to sleep at night, you assume that
your alarm will wake up in morning.
• Emotions:
Emotions/ Feelings are an important aspect of the
human experience.
Emotions are part of everything we do & we think.
Emotions can affect & inspire the thought but they
also destroy the thoughts.
Critical thinkers don’t ignore emotions.
• Language:
Thinking cannot be separated from language.
Thinking itself is expressed thought, language
carries the content and structures the form of the
entire thinking process.
• Fallacy:
A fallacy is the use of invalid or otherwise faulty
reasoning or “wrong moves”
Example: when someone accepts a truth on
blind faith just because someone they admire
said it.
• Logic:
In logic, moving from observations to
conclusions is called induction.
Moving from conclusions to predictions is
called deduction.
• Problem solving:
Solving “logic” problems is like solving any problem
that we identify in life.
Techniques of critical thinking
Clarify
Be accurate
Be precise
Be relevant
Know your purpose
Identify assumptions
Cont-
Check your emotions.
Know your own ignorance.
Be independent.
Suspend judgment.
Be fair, not selfish.
Examples:
• Nurses use knowledge from
other subjects & fields
• Nurses deal with change in
stressful environments
• Nurses make important
decisions
• Nurses provide care
according to nursing
process.
Decision
Making
Decision - Making
• Arrive at conclusion and judgment.
• Decision is a choice of calculated alternatives based
on judgment.
• A decision is a course of action which is
consciously chosen for achieving a desired result.-
Haynes & Massie
CHARACTERISTICS OF DECISION MAKING
It is the process of choosing the best course of action
from the alternative course of action.
Uncertain about the final result of each
possible course of operation
Mental/intellectual process
Cont
Involves commitment
Related to the environment, circumstances
Decision making is rational.
Types of decision making
• Orientation stage
• Conflict stage
• Emergence stage
• Reinforcement stage
Principles of decision making
• Purpose
• Inclusive, not inclusive
• Educational
• Voluntary
• Self designed
• Flexible
Cont.
•Respectful
•Accountable
•Time limited
•achievable
Process of decision making
Techniques of decision making
• Judgmental
• Operational
• Delphi
Cont.
Decision tree
technique
Factor affecting the decision making
process
• Experience & knowledge
• Creative thinking
• Self concept
• Interpersonal conflict
Cont.
• Inadequate staffing
• Incomplete information
• Non –acceptance by subordinates
Essentials of sound decisions
• Decision should be complete cover all important aspects of the decision
problem.
• Decision should be practicable considering the material& human resources
available in the organization for its effective implementation
• Decision should be acceptable & should be timely.
• Decision should be within the authority of the decision maker
Essentials of sound decisions
• Decision should be purposeful
• Decision should be economic justification economically valuable /
profitable.
• Decision should not undermine the spirit of law.
• Decision should serve the aim of society
.
• Decision should be ethically desirable
Conclusion
• Supervisors constantly make decisions that
influence the work of others. The
supervisor must recognize problems ,think
critically make a decision, initiate an action,
& evaluate the results.
• Nurses at all levels must possess the basic
knowledge and skills required for effective
critical thinking and decision making.
