Affective dispositions of Critical thinking

      "Critical thinking (CT) is essential to the exercise of professional judgment."

       Huang YC et al.  Case studies combined with or without concept maps improve critical thinking in hospital-based nurses: a randomized-controlled trial. Int J Nurs Stud 2012; 49(6): 747-54.

     CT has two dimensions: Cognitive skills & Affective disposition. 

     Affective dispositions of CT, as seen in approaches to life and living in general include:

* inquisitiveness with regard to a wide range of issues,


* concern to become and remain generally well-informed,


* trust in the processes of reasoned inquiry,


* self-confidence in one's own ability to reason,

* open-mindedness regarding divergent world views,


* flexibility in considering alternatives and opinions,


* honesty in facing one's own biases, prejudices, stereotypes, egocentric or sociocentric tendencies,


* willingness to reconsider and revise views where honest reflection suggests that change is warranted.

         Facione PA. “Critical Thinking: A Statement of Expert Consensus for Purposes of Educational Assessment and Instruction.” 
The Delphi Report. Executive summary. The California Academic Press, Millbrae, CA, 1990.

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