Fundamentals of Nursing Q 233
How are critical thinking skills and critical thinking attitudes similar? Both are:
A. Influences on the nurse's problem solving and decision making.
B. Like feelings rather than cognitive activities.
C. Cognitive activities rather than feelings.
D. Applicable in all aspects of a person's life.
Correct Answer: A. Influences on the nurse’s problem solving and decision making.
Cognitive skills are used in complex thinking processes, such as problem-solving and decision making. Critical thinking attitudes determine how a person uses her cognitive skills. Critical thinking attitudes are traits of the mind, such as independent thinking, intellectual curiosity, intellectual humility, and fair-mindedness, to name a few. Critical thinking skills refer to the cognitive activities used in complex thinking processes. A few examples of these skills involve recognizing the need for more information, recognizing gaps in one’s own knowledge, and separating relevant information from irrelevant data. Critical thinking, which consists of intellectual skills and attitudes, can be used in all aspects of life.
Option B: Critical Thinking is, in short, self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It presupposes assent to rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem-solving abilities and a commitment to overcome our native egocentrism and sociocentrism.
Option C: Critical Thinking is a domain-general thinking skill. The ability to think clearly and rationally is important whenever one chooses to do. But critical thinking skills are not restricted to a particular subject area. Being able to think well and solve problems systematically is an asset for any career.
Option D: A critical thinking attitude is related to the motivation to try to reason well, but it can also motivate an attempt to use various strategies to overcome personal limitations. Additionally, a person with a critical thinking attitude should often rely on the expertise of others rather than trying to assess all arguments on her own because expertise is often required to properly evaluate an argument.