Barriers to Critical Thinking
Roger Martinez
HUM/115
May 18,2015
Danny Hunt
Barriers to Critical Thinking
We encounter two types of barriers when we try to effetely critical think. I will describe the two barriers and how you can overcome them.
The first barrier is an external barrier. There are four types of external barriers. The external barriers are family, friends, teachers and media. These barriers are also called shaping agents. These barriers work by hinder your ability to critical think or hinder your ability to develop your critical thinking skills. These barriers are great, but they are not great promoters of critical thinking. One way to overcome this is through self-directed replacement. It used when you took the four barriers family, friends, teachers, and media. Replace them with the new family, friends, teachers, and media that share the same critical thinking process that you have. For example, if your mom and dad are an external barrier. You must then find mentors that will help you promote your critical thinking skills and then figuratively replace them as your parents. Another way is through societal-directed replacement. It is used when you take the barriers and change the way they think. You do this by building on the foundation initiated by the self –directed replacements of your shaping agents.
The second barrier is an internal barrier. There also are four types of internal barriers. The internal barriers are rationalizing, emotions, stubbornness, and biases. These barriers negatively impact your ability to think critical. A good way to overcome these barriers is by modifying these barriers. Instead of using these barriers to influence your decisions negatively, you must ask the question "What can I do to defend myself from these barriers." You must resist and keep an open mind to resist the urge to use these barriers. You must do this if you have any chance to become a good critical thinker.
Ridel, R....