CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING

CRITICAL THINKING

AND

PROBLEM SOLVING

DO YOU KNOW ?

How Can You Make A Good Decisions?
How Can You Specify A Problem In A Way That Will Help You Solve It?
How Do You Analyze A Problem?
Why Should You Identify A Wide Range Of Solutions To A Problem?
How Can You Evaluate The Possible Solutions?
What Factors Should You Consider In Selecting A Solution?

CHARACTERISTICS OF A CRITICAL THINKERS :

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/321660

https://globaldigitalcitizen.org/7-characteristics-effective-critical-thinkers

https://www.insightassessment.com/Resources/Importance-of-Critical-Thinking/Characteristics-of-Strong-Critical-Thinkers

https://www.talentlens.co.uk/insight/six-characteristics-of-strong-critical-thinkers/

THINKING CRITICALLY ABOUT DECISION MAKING

As a beginning college student you face a change in lifestyle: you face a new surroundings, new courses and instructors, new friends and new expectations.
Consequently, you will have to make many decisions, some which will affect the course of your life and career.
Decision making is a critical thinking skill well worth developing.

DECISION MAKING

Decision making is a process of thinking critically about choices.
Each of us makes numerous choices each day.
"What to wear, which way to walk to class, which assignment to work on first… "
Decisions are different from hunches, wishes or hopes.
A decisions means you will take a specific course of action.

TYPES OF DECISIONS

SITUATION 1:

You order a pizza with cheese, pepperoni and mushrooms

SITUATION 2:

On a spring afternoon you and a group of friends, at the last minute, decide to cut class and take a ride to the lake.

SITUATION 3:

You decide to register for Chemistry II next semester because you’ve just finished Chemistry Iand Chemistry I is required in your major.

MAKING REASONED DECISIONS

An important part of decision making is to predict both short-term and long term outcomes for each alternative.

GUIDELINES TO MAKE REASONED DECISIONS

1. RECOGNIZE THAT NOT MAKING A DECISION WHEN ONE IS CALLED FOR ITSELF A DECISION

For example : if you make no decision to act, you have decided not to act.

2. WAIT OUT A DECISION

Some decisions benefit from the perspective of time. If an immediate decision is not necessary, consider letting the decision rest. Often circumstances change and the right decision BECOMES CLEAR.

3. FOCUS ON YOUR LIFE GOALS

Decisions should move you closer to attaining your life goals: what you want out of life.

4. TALK WITH OTHERS

Talking about the problem will help you define it, and you may hear yourself saying things you never before consciously realized.

5. PLAY OUT THE LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES OF A DECISION YOU ARE ABOUT TO MAKE.

Create a mental movie; imagine the various possible consequences of the decisions at various stage– in one month, three months, one year or three years for instance.

PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGIES

Problem solving is a critical thinking skill.
Problem solving involves making reasoned decisions.
The ability to solve problems is a valuable asset.
It can make a substantial difference in your success in academic courses, in you future career and in life.

A MODEL FOR PROBLEM SOLVING

Image result for a problem solving model

PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESSES

STEP 1: SPECIFY THE PROBLEM

A. State The Problem

The more specific you can be , the more likely it is that you will be able to identify workable solution paths.

B. Specify The Problem In A Way That Allows You To Solve It Successfully

For example , if the library only open during hours when you are in class or working , specify the problem in term your class and work schedule rather then in terms of the library business hours.

C. Express The Problem verbally or In Writing

D. Focus On Language

use right language to argue , persuade or to request.

STEP 2: ANALYZE THE PROBLEM

Seek Other Perspectives
Be Flexible In Your Analysis
Consider Various Strands Of Impact
Brainstorm About All Possibilities And Implications
Research Problems For Which You Lack Complete Information.

STEP 3:FORMULATE POSSIBLE SOLUTION PATH

Try To Think Of All Possible Solutions
Be Creative
Consider Similar Problems And How You Have Solved Them
You Can Learn From Both Your Successes And Your Failures.

STEP 4:EVALUATE POSSIBLE SOLUTION PATHS

Consider Both Immediate And Long Term Result Of Each Solution

KEYS TO PROBLEM SOLVING

1.THINK ALOUD

Problem solving is a cognitive (mental) process. For complicated problems , many people find it useful to think aloud or talk to themselves as they work through problem-solving steps.
Hearing yourself think , so to speak, seems to facilitate the process.

2. ALLOW TIME FOR INCUBATION

It also provides a psychological distance and Time away from the problem allows ideas to consolidate a new perspective on problem.
The best advise, then, for when you cannot solve a problem is to wait.
Give yourself time for the various solution paths to settle it.
Distance from a problem also clear your mind , lessens the problem’s importance and often provides a fresh outlook.

TIPS : THE WORK CONNECTION

What do corporations look for in prospective employees ? Here are the top 10 employee capabilities for workplace success :

1.Excellent verbal and written skills

2.Hands-on ability (ability to apply concepts)

3.Ability to work in groups , including working with people of different backgrounds

4.Flexibility to adapt to and use “new structures , programs , procedures”.

5.Critical thinking and problems solving abilities.

6.Creative thinking that leads to “breakthrough solutions”.

7.Having a balanced life, including activities outside the workplace

8.Effective time management and dependability.

9.In technical fields, the willingness to fail and then try again to find solutions.

10.Personal commitment to team and corporate goals.

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ISSUE 1:

Statistics: Mental Health in Malaysia

February 2, 2017

Every 3 in 10 adults aged 16 years and above have some sorts of mental health problems (29.2%).

The prevalence of mental health problems among adults increased from 10.7% in 1996, to 11.2% in 2006, to 29.2% in 2015.

The prevalence in Kuala Lumpur is 39.8%!

The prevalence in females was slightly higher than in males but the difference was not significant (30.8% vs 27.6%).

Risk factors (adults): females, younger adults, other Bumiputras, and adults from low income families.

By occupation, the prevalence was lowest among government/semi-government employees (2.6%) (?!).

The overall prevalence of mental health problem among children was 12.1%(children = 5 to 15 years old).

Risk factors (children): boys, younger age group and from rural areas.

Prevalence of mental health problems in children: peer problem (32.5%), conduct problems (16.7%), emotional problems (e.g. anxiety, depression, 15.7%), pro-social skill (11.2%) and hyperactivity (4.6%).

There are 360 registered psychiatrists registered in the public and private sectors. The ratio of psychiatrists to the Malaysian population is 1:200,000 (1:10,000 is recommended by WHO).

Mental illness is expected to be the second biggest health problem affecting Malaysians after heart diseases by 2020.

ISSUE 2:

Sunday, 2 Apr 2017,8:49 AM, by Kanyakumari https://www.thestar.com.my/~/media/online/2017/04/02/00/52/mentalhealthissues.ash

Depression: 40% of Malaysians will suffer from mental health issues in their lifetime

PETALING JAYA: Four out of every 10 Malaysians will fall victim to some form of mental health issue in the course of their lives and psychologists believe that the numbers will continue to rise.

International Medical University, consultant psychiatrist and addiction medicine specialist, Dr Philip George said that numbers are often downplayed due to the stigma that surrounds the condition.

He added that the seriousness and the prevalence of issues like depression, bipolar disorder and other mental health issues should be accepted and acknowledged first in order to be treated.

“This is not something that only attacks the poor, weak and lonely. It happens to anyone and the World Bank had predicted that 340mil people will suffer from depression by 2020.

“Though the National Health and Morbidity survey says only 1.8% of the Malaysian population are depressed, we think there is a flaw and believe that at least 40% of Malaysians suffer from mental health issues.

“The difference is Asians do not talk about their problems. Unlike Caucasians, Asians do not have the words for emotions and that is a huge barrier,” he said adding that many people who walk among us are at least facing mild depression.

“They consider having an emotional problem to be a weakness, so instead they attribute it to a physical problem and highlight things like their inability to sleep, back pain, headache and constant fatigue.

He added that the National Institute of Health had found that depression to be a most disabling disease as it is not tangible and people find it hard to emphatise.

“It is not something one can snap out of, just like how people cannot snap out of diabetes or a stroke.

“However, with enough help and support, almost 90% of the patients can be restored to normal. Yes, they may have a relapse as their emotions are more sensitive, but they can be cured with the right help,” he added.

Supporting his statement was consultant psychiatrist, Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj who added that by 2030, depression will be the most disabling disease as it will have the highest number of days lost due to a disability.

He explained that a study done in the United States found that 30 to 40% of absenteeism at work is due to unexplained somatic complaints like body ache, lack of sleep, and lethargy.

“No studies have been done in Malaysia but a primary care study in Thailand about five years ago showed up to 30% were psychosomatic complaints.

"Many go unreported because firstly the difficulty in diagnosing depression, followed by the inability of people to recognise the symptoms of depression themselves,” he said adding that many who are in fact depressed are unwilling and embarrassed to come forward for treatment.

Dr Andrew also pointed out that the updated National Morbidity Survey would definitely see a higher number now.

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SHARPEN YOUR MIND

BY DOING BRAIN EXERCISES ...

PLEASE surf these link:

CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

https://bebrainfit.com/brain-exercises/

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/strengthen-critical-thinking-skills-2275911

https://globaldigitalcitizen.org/critical-thinking-exercises-blow-students-minds

https://www.exquisite-minds.com/best-thinking-games-online/

CREATIVE THINKING SKILLS
(OUTSIDE - THE - BOX THINKING)

http://creativethinking.net/tag/creative-thinking-exercises/#sthash.RB6XX8Pn.dpbs