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- International Journal of Management (IJM)
Volume 11, Issue 3, March 2020, pp. 278–286, Article ID: IJM_11_03_030
Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijm/issues.asp?JType=IJM&VType=11&IType=3
Journal Impact Factor (2020): 10.1471 (Calculated by GISI) www.jifactor.com
ISSN Print: 0976-6502 and ISSN Online: 0976-6510
© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed
CONCEPTUAL ANALYSIS OF CRITICAL
THINKING IN THE 1990S
Dr. Alex Jones
Professor of Leadership and Strategy,
College of Business Administration,
American University in the Emirates (AUE)
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
ABSTRACT
Critical thinking has become the focus of the twenty-first century and it will
become the focus of the next century. The lack of critical thinkers among graduates
across the world is on the rise. Many educational institutions like schools, colleges
and universities claim to teach critical thinking across the many disciplines. The lack
of emphasis on the topic itself is prevailing. Employers are raising the issue of the lack
of critical thinkers among graduates especially problem-solving skills. This article
provides comprehensive coverage to the concept of critical thinking of one decade of
the year 1990s. it will be of benefits to employers, organizations, schools, colleges,
and universities. It gives a highlight of the concept of critical thinking addressed by
the pioneers of this topic.
Keywords: Critical thinking, organizations, employers, essential characteristics,
problem-solving skills
Cite this Article: Dr. Alex Jones, Conceptual Analysis of Critical Thinking in the
1990s, International Journal of Management (IJM), 11 (3), 2020, pp. 278–286.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJM/issues.asp?JType=IJM&VType=11&IType=3
1. INTRODUCTION
The global dilemma of graduates lacking critical thinking skills on the rise in one hand. The
demands of the 21st-century workplace are on the rise with the increasing complexity of more
skills in the age of technology from the other hand. Employers on a global scale are
witnessing graduates lacking analytical thinking skills and problem-solving skills. Many
workplaces across the globe require talents who possess critical thinking skills and able to
make a solid decision after collecting the relevant information that is based on solid evidence
(Brookfield, 1987). Critical thinking is an art that requires analytical thinking skills, rational,
analytical, and can make assumptions that lead to strong decision-making (Black, 2012). It is
the art that requires the use of the brain and based on cognitive skills (Elder & Paul, 2002;
Cottrell, 2011). It is an approach of interpretations of information after putting a strong
assumption that is based on inferences, evaluations, and analysis (Facione, 1990; Black,
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2012). Therefore, employers require continuous thinkers who can use their cognitive skills to
analyze, resonate, and make compelling arguments continuously.
2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Critical thinking is a learned skill and one of the important life skills (Ennis, 1989; Lipman,
1988; Sternberg, 1986; Case, 2005; Giancarlo, Blohm & Urdan, 2004). Different variables are
impacting the learning process of critical thinking among which are the methods of teaching,
classroom instructions, and class management (McMillan, 1987; Dehler, Welsh & Lewis,
2001; Ghoshal, 2005; Mintzberg, 2005; Pfeffer, 2005). Colleges and universities contribute to
the development of critical thinking skills and most of it is happening through the early stages
of the college years which are considered the most significant part of learning it at this stage
(Keeley, Browne, & Kreutzer, 1982; Lehmann, 1963; Pascarella, 1985). The focus, therefore,
should be on active use of critical thinking, learning methods of addressing and practicing it,
and exercising rational thinking through active engagements using the cognitive skills that
bring thoughtful questioning methodologies (McPeck, 1981; Beyer, 1985; Halpern, 1998;
Reid, 2009).
3. OBJECTIVES & METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY
The objective of this study was to shed the light on the main important parts of critical
thinking covering the most aspects of it over a decade of studies. Secondary research data
utilized for this study over the era of the 1990. Each year was researched thoroughly and
carefully. Plethora of literature review conducted in the field across multiple disciplines wit
the focus on mind on management and business studies. There was no need to conduct
primary research data analysis for this study. The nature of this study is comprehensive with
the focus on the field of critical thinking.
4. CRITICAL THINKING IN 1990S
4.1. Facione (1990)
The focus of education reform and leaders in the education field mainly revolved around
critical thinking. This reform called for a movement. This movement is called a critical
thinking movement. The goal and aim of this movement were to make sure that critical
thinking is integrated in curricula and pedagogy. The focus should be on fostering students‟
attention on inquiry and develop such a habit. This, in turn, contributes to the reinforcement
of critical thinking skills. All involve the utilization of the cognitive skills of students that
require adopting specific strategies for assessments in this regard. Each of which contributes
to creating an effective and meaningful education system. There is a continuous debate by
experts in the field whether critical thinking is a skill or set of skills that can be learned or
whether it is a developmental process. However, critical thinking is “purposeful, self-
regulatory judgment which results in interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and inference, as
well as explanation of the evidential, conceptual, methodological, criterialogical or contextual
considerations upon which judgment is based”.
Our society needs critical thinkers. Critical thinkers are honest in nature. They are
considerate, clear and diligent. Their focus is on inquiry and continuously seeking information
that is relevant. They are persistent and precise. They are inquisitive and knowledgeable. The
movement of critical thinking has gained a lot of support from leaders in higher education.
Most education leaders agreed that critical thinking skills are vital for the benefits of students
and our society in general. The result of it has made many leaders in higher education calls for
papers and conferences that focused on the importance of and the need for critical thinking
skills in education and higher education system. It called for the needs to create and develop
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- Conceptual Analysis of Critical Thinking in the 1990s
critical thinking courses across and lesson plans should be revised to incorporate such a
change.
The higher education system, as a result of such a movement, started introducing critical
thinking skills in the general education programs making it the primary requirement of most
courses. The education system has also put a focus, as a result of this movement, on critical
thinking embedding it in the frameworks of most curricula and their standardized testing
programs. A real example of such is the introduction of critical thinking skills in the system of
California State University across the State of California. This system introduced critical
thinking skills as part of the general education requirements across the twenty campuses. This
is reflected in their curricula framework and statewide testing programs. A few years later
publishing companies started publishing many textbooks with a focus on critical thinking
skills. The need for courses and development programs on critical thinking skills has also had
its share in the market to be in the progressing list of industries.
The instructions of critical thinking skills should follow the approach of developing the
skills of inquiry, questioning, and reasoning. The pedagogy of critical thinking should focus
on developing the cognitive skills of students as well as affective dispositions. The aim of
instructions and pedagogy should mainly focus on creating good critical thinkers. This can be
achieved through including the six dimensions of creating good thinkers, which are: “(1)
interpretation, (2) analysis, (3) evaluation, (4) inference, (5) explanation and (6) self-
regulation.” These dimensions are considered the core of critical thinking skills. All of which
contribute to creating quality critical thinkers who are able to question how they arrived at
certain answers and investigate the correctness and credibility of a given answer. The
proficiency of critical thinking skills comes from three components that are: confidence,
inclination and good judgment. If those three factors are used appropriately in everyday life as
well as in classrooms it most likely is going to create a good critical thinker. In contract, if
those three factors are not utilized appropriately it will create non-critical thinkers‟
individuals.
It is worth mentioning that the consensus list of the six dimensions of cognitive skills and
sub-skills of critical thinking skills includes: (1) interpretation – which includes: (a)
categorization, (b) decoding significance, and (c) clarifying meaning; (2) analysis – which
includes: (a) examining ideas, (b) identifying arguments, and (c) analyzing arguments; (3)
evaluation – which includes: (a) assessing claims, and (b) assessing arguments; (4) inference
– which includes: (a) querying evidence, (b) conjecturing alternatives, and (c) drawing
conclusions; (5) explanation – which includes: (a) stating results, (b) justifying procedures,
and (c) presenting arguments; and (6) self-regulation – which includes: (a) self – examination,
and (b) self - correction.
4.2. Halpern (1990)
College students should be taught how to think explicitly. A fact that was not widely
embraced by leaders in higher education. The academic community is not opposed to the fact
of embracing critical thinking skills or thinking explicitly. But it was a path that needed a lot
of clear guidance to be implemented. The general education course requirements, in North
America, have witnessed a drastic change. This is represented through higher education
institutions that started offering courses with objectivity for enhancing students‟ critical
thinking skills and creates generations who are able to think critically.
Critical thinking involves the use of cognitive skills. It also can involve strategies that aim
at enhancing critical thinking skills. The most important thing is creating outcomes that are
desirable. Critical thinking is not just a concept, but it is a process that involves solving
problems through which decision can be reached. It involves the inference formulation
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process through which probabilities and likelihood can be calculated. It is a purposeful
concept that puts reasons for doing things and it is directed in goals. These skills are focally
important in creating better thinkers whom they will be able to use critical thinking skills
most appropriately in different situations whenever relevant.
Technology advancement has provided us with several ways to teach the students how to
be critical thinkers. This advancement has also increased the demands for more critical
thinkers. There are more demands than ever to teach critical thinking skills in higher
education institutions. Education leaders should teach students the skills of checking the
credibility and reliability of sources obtained in different ways to be able to make a sound
judgment. These skills are increasingly becoming an integral part of teaching critical thinking
skills. It has to be enforced in the teaching instructions and teach it repeatedly earlier in
students‟ college life. We should enforce teaching these skills to students to be able to use
them. Students should be taught the skills of recognition and teach them the way of using
them in their daily life. Teaching students, the skills to think critically without real-life
applications is not that useful. Critical thinking skills are more than showing students how to
succeed in a specific pattern or context. It is the use of attitude, disposition and mental skills.
The latter are the most important skills that lead to a successful critical thinker.
4.3. Ennis (1991)
Critical thinking is a metacognition process. It is “reasonable reflective thinking that is
focused on deciding what to believe or do.” This definition covers a wide range of meanings
including “reflection, reasonableness (interpreted roughly as rationality), and decision making
(about belief and action).” The definition also includes creative thinking, making assumptions
and find possible solutions. It deals with viewing things or problems from different angles. It
is part of the process of problems solving. The critical thing requires, on the basis of
assumption, that critical thinkers think critically. The working definition of critical thinking,
thereafter, is “reasonable reflective thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or
do.”
4.4. Cabrera, G. A. (1992)
There is a need to teach critical thinking skills in our society. Teaching critical thinking is a
competency that is most wanted in our society. It enables students to be active intelligent
thinkers. Critical thinking involves activities evaluation, making sound and reasoned
judgments, collecting or gathering information, and reaching final reasonable decisions.
Critical thinkers should possess the skills of disposition to be able to make good judgments.
They should be open-minded individuals. They should avoid biases and prejudices. They
should gather information and listen to what information is given before making a judgment
and reaching a final decision.
4.5. Ennis, R. H. (1993)
The attention on critical thinking has increased significantly since the early 1980s. Critical
thinking is represented in the three upper levels of Blooms‟ Taxonomy. All together and each
factor represents the educational goals. These goals are “analysis, synthesis and evaluation.” It
also involves the other two levels of the same taxonomy which are “comprehension and
application.” Each of these levels is not hierarchical. They are rather interdependent with each
other. For example, synthesis and evaluation require analysis, and analysis requires synthesis
and evaluation. Critical thinking is the “correct assessing of statement.” All of these leads to
the fact that all of these terms are vague including Blooms‟ Taxonomy and none serve as a
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- Conceptual Analysis of Critical Thinking in the 1990s
proper assessment of critical thinking. However, critical thinking is reasonable, reflective
thinking. The goal of it is making final decisions of “what to believe or do.”
4.6. Sormunen, C., & Chalupa, M. (1994)
Leaders in the business world are increasing their demands for the need of highly competitive
workers who are critical thinkers with high order thinking skills. Business school plays a
major role in preparing graduates who possess the skills of critical thinking. The definition of
critical thinking is non-definite yet and it still is emerging. There are two models of critical
thinking: philosophical and psychological model. The first focuses on using the analytical
skills of students. While the second is concerned with “Metacognition (knowing how one
learns) and cognitive strategies (focusing on the ways students learn) are central to the
psychological model.” The difference in applying the psychological model in business school
instead of the philosophical one is a matter of focus on the process. In other words, the
psychological model focuses on “realistic application of learning to life situations and the
belief that understanding how one learns can be effectively used to help students transfer
training/learning from the academic world to the work world.” Therefore, using this model is
highly recommended in business schools.
4.7. King, A. (1995)
The inquiring mind is the distinctive feature of critical thinking skills. Critical thinkers are
good thinkers. They ask good questions. They investigate things around them every time they
come across things or whenever they read something that is not satisfactory to them. They do
so when they hear things that are not convincing. They are constant analytical minds who are
engaged continuously in analyzing things through experiences they go through and they are
on a search for explanations. They try to relate things and create a connection between their
knowledge and a certain experience they go through. They try to find the significance in
things and make it sound much more realistic than a puzzling issue. Critical thinking involves
the process of evaluation of our decisions. It is a process of reaching logical conclusions and
analyzing information or arguments. It is a critically thinking process that involves making
inferences.
Good thinkers who good quality of critical thinkers is always have many questions. The
significant questions they try to focus on are finding the meaning of why this is happening.
They try to investigate the nature of things. They strive to find alternatives of looking at
things from another perspectives. They make sure there is evidence for why a certain thing is
happening this way and not that way. They try to understand the world around them. They
want to make sure things are happening for certain. All of these activate the process of
thinking critically between the responder and the questioner. This process involves using the
cognitive skills. These skills are: “analysis of ideas, comparison and contrast, inference,
prediction, evaluation and the like.” Therefore, it is imperative to teach our students how to
think critically. The way to do so is teaching them how to ask good questions. The
enforcement of teaching students so will enhance the skills of becoming spontaneous
questioners and critical thinkers. This, in turn, is going to stimulate the process of developing
their inquiring minds.
4.8. Scriven, M., & Paul, R. (1996)
Critical thinking requires that students‟ engagements actively in the process of
“conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating, and communicating
information.” Critical thinking includes making decisions as well as the activity of self-
reflection.
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- Dr. Alex Jones
4.9. Paul, R., Elder, L., & Bartell, T. (1997)
Critical thinking has its ancient roots in the history and it is derived from Greek roots. The
term means “"kriticos" (meaning discerning judgment) and "kriterion" (meaning standards).”
The term itself implies that sound judgment is based on standards. According to Webster's
New World Dictionary, it is "characterized by careful analysis and judgment" and is followed
by the gloss: "critical, in its strictest sense, implies an attempt at objective judgment to
determine both merits and faults." Accordingly, we can define critical thinking as the type of
thinking that is uses sound judgments as its explicit meaning. It, therefore, uses the
appropriate standards to reach a determined evaluation as a step to value things and reach a
worthiness of meriting it.
The human nature is making mistakes, over uses generalization, attempt to be prejudice
sometimes and narrow in thinking. The tradition of critical thinking is finding ways of
reaching a better understanding to human mind. It, then, train the mind to avoid mistakes or
minimizes them and thinks intellectually instead. This tradition assumes that human brains
can be trained through educational process to reason well. Another assumption of this
tradition is that critical thinking aim is to make us avoid mistakes as much as possible and
focus our attention on thinking logically and rationally to become better problem solvers as
well as enabling us to prioritize things based on importance.
The concept of critical thinking refers to the fact that intellectual thinking is a practice
conducted by those who attempt to think critically. Those who think critically are usually
engaged in activities such as “monitoring, reviewing, and assessing: goals and purposes.” The
investigate problems and the way they are formulated. They examine the evidence presented
from information or interpretation. They attempt to check the quality of evidence and make
sure there is a solid reasoning developed. They take charge of the consequences. They present
their points of views with appropriate references. The focus of intellectual thinkers, referred to
as modes of thinking, is on “clarity, precision, accuracy, relevance, depth, breadth, and
logicalness.” These modes help us reach the ultimate solution for problems and reach the
successful end of accomplishment.
4.10. Jenkins, E.K (1998)
The accounting profession considers critical thinking as an intellectual skill that increases the
ability of individuals to solve non-deterministic problems. It is a skill the develops the ability
to reach to sound judgments and be able to detect errors and irregularities especially of
accountant who needs those skills the most. It requires the use of skills that enables
individuals to ask good question. It promotes the skills of questioning things and when to
question it. It utilizes the use skepticism and experience to reach a satisfactory solution and be
able to solve problems or find a thorough insight into them from different perspectives.
4.11. Halpern, 1999
Critical thinking is defined as the “purposeful, reasoned, and goal-directed” use of cognitive
skills and strategies (Halpern 1999, p. 70). For students to be able to solve complex problems,
students must be engaged actively in the process of critical thinking. This process is
“purposeful, reasoned, and goal directed higher-order thinking.” It is a metacognition process.
It is simply the evaluation of our thoughts, problems we solved, and decisions made. Critical
thinking is a principal goal assumed to be a desirable one of higher education institutions
towards shaping three factors: “curriculum, pedagogy, and policy.”
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- Conceptual Analysis of Critical Thinking in the 1990s
5. CONCLUSION
The concept of critical thinking skills is on the rise on a global scale. Employers are faced
with a significant dilemma for graduates who are lacking critical thinking skills and problem-
solving skills. Schools claim to teach critical thinking skills. So do colleges and universities.
The teaching claim of such a skill is happening from one hand and the lack of graduates who
are equipped with critical thinking skills is on the rise on the other hand. So it is a paradoxical
issue that is based on controversial claims.
Nevertheless, critical thinking is a must-learn skill of leaders of today. It is considered one
of the critical skills that are required to meet the demands of the complex world we live in
especially in the age of artificial intelligence. They are five essential characteristics of critical
thinkers:
Figure 1 DDDIR Model of Five Essential Characteristics of Critical Thinkers
The model of DDDRI above sheds light on the important five characteristics critical
thinkers must possess. They are (1) Distinguishing, (2) Determining, (3) Detecting, (4)
Identifying, and (5) Recognizing. They should be able to distinguish between facts and
claims. The process that leads to determining the reliability of sources found after gathering
information. The accuracy of information is based on the previous two steps where accuracy
and relevance of information found determined by the degree of relevance and irrelevance of
any given statement. The third step will complete the previous two by detecting the bias and
non-bias facts, and assumptions through the fourth step interference of identification of the
ambiguous through predictability based on collected facts. The fifth step completes the chain
by recognizing the fallacies, consistencies, and inconsistencies, logical, illogical, strengths
and weakness of stated facts.
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