University of Phoenix Material

Stages of Critical Thinking

Complete the matrix by identifying the six stages of critical thinking, describing how to move from each stage to the next, and listing obstacles you may face as you move to the next stage of critical thinking.

|Stages of Critical Thinking |How to Move to the Next Stage |Obstacles to Moving to the Next Stage |
|EXAMPLE: |Examine my thinking to identify problems |Deceiving myself about the effectiveness of|
| |that affect my thinking. |my thinking |
|The Unreflective Thinker | | |
|The Challenged Thinker |Take active steps to command thinking. |Unable to identify flaws because avoid |
| | |facing challenges. |
|The Beginning Thinker |Use a systematic approach to improve my |Avoiding the challenges that lead me to |
| |thinking. |dismiss negative realizations about my |
| | |thinking. |
|The Practicing Thinker |Due a self-assessment of my day-to-day |Egocentric defensiveness, intellectual |
| |life, and how I take command of my |arrogance, rationalization may lead me to |
| |thinking. |avoid the challenges. |
|The Advanced Thinker |Developing habits of thought based on the |Recognize areas in my thought of ignorance |
| |values I have committed myself to. |and prejudice. |
|The Master Thinker |Learn more about my thoughts, feelings, and|Noticing where I have failed to achieve |
| |actions to achieve greater consistency in |living by my values. |
| |my life. | |

Write a 150- to 200-word explanation of your current stage of critical-thinking development and explain why you placed yourself at that stage.

Advanced Thinker