Encouraging Critical Thinking Skills Among College Students

Abstract

The present paper reflects on the role of "critical thinking" in college level education. The paper first presents definitions of critical thinking and explains why this topic is important. The following sections contain descriptions of some of the intellectual errors that inhibit critical thinking and thus good decision making. Next comes a discussion of why people in general, and especially college students, are so deficient in critical thinking ability. The paper closes with recommendations for improving critical thinking in college education and an example of a diagnostic intervention specific to marketing research.

Keywords: critical thinking, reasoning, student skills