Critical Thinking and Diversity

Critical Thinking Hindrances

100

These preclude us from understanding the world with total objectivity and clarity; everyone has them

Basic Human Limitations

200

Misleading and misusing of numbers and/or false facts

Faulty Logic or Perception

300

Using words to conceal the truth, mislead, confuse, or deceive from the true point

Use of Language

400

Creating set perceptions, prejudices, repression, or misinterpreting facts for a positive gain at someone's expense

Psychological and Sociological Pitfalls

500

Who can mitigate critical thinking hindrances?

Critical thinkers

Attitude of a Critical Thinker

100

Seeking out ALL facts, information sources, and reasoning to support issues we intend to judge and examining them from as many sides as possible

Open-Mindedness

200

Being prepared to examine new evidence and arguments even if the outcome leads to error in our own thoughts

Intellectual humility

300

To have an independent mind and restrain from believing only because of social pressures to conform

Free Thinking

400

To have curiosity to further one's understanding and put in necessary work sufficient to evaluate multiple sides of issues

High motivation

500

Rationally looking for the good and bad points various sides examined of a thought/idea and maintaining the goal of getting the truth

Healthy skepticism

Deconstructing Arguments

100

The presentation of a reason to support a conclusion (_____ = Reason + Conclusion)

Argument

200

Argument type based on reasonable grounds for their conclusion but will never prove its conclusion with absolute certainty (assessed in degrees of probability)

Inductive Arguments

300

When one thing follows necessarily or is inferred from another in an argument, it is this type

Deductive argument

400

The three parts of an argument

Conclusion, indicator, reason

500

Good information sources for arguments are...?

Credible, unbiased, and accurate

Understanding Diversity

100

Diversity characteristics that cannot be voluntarily altered

Gender, Age, Race, Sexual affiliation/orientation, mental and physical abilities, ethnicity/culture

200

An adverse or unreasonable opinion about a person or group without knowing all the facts and is usually based on deeply held beliefs

Prejudices

300

The thought processes employed to help make sense of the world we live in. They can either negatively or positively impact diversity

Socio-Behavioral Tendencies (SBTs)

Assumptions, stereotypes, social biases, perceptions, perspectives, collusion

400

Diversity characteristics that can be changed or altered depending on how a person thinks

Work ethic, income, marital status, experience, religion, personality, education, language, strengths

500

The AFI that governs and states that the enlisted force is a diverse group of functional and operational professionals

AFI 36-2618

The FAIR Way

100

The four techniques of the FAIR way to creat a diverse environment

Feedback

Assistance

Inclusion

Respect

200

This reduces misunderstandings, provides clarity, and should be given early and often to subordinates and superiors?

Feedback

300

The differences and diversity created by an organization's own structure

Organizational diversity

400

Making sure everyone has the opportunity to fully participate in the workplace

Inclusion

500

Recognizing each person's unique value, contributions, and potential to the orgnization

Respect