I joined the Critical Thinking Class to meet my General Education requirement. Initially, I thought this class would just be a review as I already knew how to think. However, I now understand that I had restricted my thinking abilities without realizing it. In the past two weeks, I have identified personal obstacles that were previously unfamiliar to me. These barriers consist of sibling rivalry, preconceived ideas, my surroundings, peer influence, family impact, past encounters, and feelings of jealousy.
Below, I will discuss some personal barriers that I experienced and explain how Critical Thinking transformed my perspective and perception. During my childhood, my hometown served as a window into the larger world. The things I observed, heard, and felt greatly influenced my viewpoints and thought processes. I learned from various sources, including my family, friends, strangers, and community, on how to navigate different life situations. Unfortunately, thinking was often not prioritized within my family, or sometimes disregarded altogether. In one particular instance, I allowed sibling rivalry to dictate my behavior and thoughts. When my grandfather’s watch was discovered broken, the last person seen with it was my brother.
I quickly informed my mother that I knew who was responsible for the incident. I believed that my brother wanted to outdo me or gain favor in our mother’s eyes. Unfortunately, I wrongly accused my brother without taking the time to think or ask questions, solely relying on my biases. If I had utilized critical thinking, I could have spared my brother from experiencing pain and eliminated my personal biases. This would have allowed me to see my mistake and understand that my desire for revenge and my lack of knowledge about how the watch was broken clouded my judgment due to sibling rivalry.
Upon leaving my home, I encountered peer pressure and the desire for others’ approval, thereby complicating my mindset. To maintain a positive image and prevent any conflicts, I began to conform to my friends’ opinions and actions, ultimately transforming into a people pleaser. Consequently, I became a follower who disregarded my own values and neglected the significance of my thoughts. Seeking validation from others led me to question everything I believed was correct and strive to adopt my friends’ perspectives. Looking back, applying Critical Thinking would have made me realize that this endeavor was unattainable.
If I had taken the time to internally analyze and reflect on the meaning of friendship, rather than focusing on external factors, I would have recognized that it is not acceptable to make someone feel less important. The responsibility for my thoughts and beliefs lies with me, regardless of their correctness, and it is my obligation to change them. If only I had been truthful with myself and thoroughly considered the consequences of my actions, none of this would have occurred. Moreover, I have a tendency to let past experiences and mistakes influence how I judge present events. Despite continually reminding myself not to form judgments based on others’ past errors, I consistently fail in doing so. Therefore, comprehending why this behavior persists and finding methods to regain control over it are crucial steps that must be taken.
Despite being wrong on multiple occasions and persistently arguing to the point of hurting others, it seems that forgiving is easier than forgetting. However, I must alter this mindset. The past merely represents history, while the present holds the key to my future. By incorporating Critical Thinking into my current actions, I will undergo positive transformation. No longer will grudges be held or blame be placed on others for my mistakes. It is imperative that I first examine myself and then seek external input and knowledge. Personal Barriers to Critical Thinking 4 Change can be daunting and challenging for individuals accustomed to a particular way of doing things, only to discover later that their approach was incorrect.
When it comes to our thinking, we should see it as a process of identifying and breaking down barriers to improve. The most challenging part of thinking is evaluating ourselves and acknowledging our mistakes. However, by reflecting on ourselves and growing from it, we can make positive changes and avoid repeating the same errors. By staying open-minded and using critical thinking, we can overcome these barriers and gain a better understanding. This allows us to approach information in a new way and make informed decisions or responses.
