Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is, in my opinion, vitally important for every individual. Even more so for Human Service professionals. Critical thinking helps us process information, value some information more than others, and integrate all learning into our preceding learning that has taken place. These thinking skills provide space in ourselves to utilize our own style and experiences simultaneously with learning and experiences of others. It could be dangerous to learn something from someone else (say reading a book) and then totally and completely mimicking their approach as the only option. It is much better to take in, and integrate new learning and ideas into something that comes naturally to you.
I was provided with a wonderful collection of diverse and interesting reading materials throughout the last two years. It has been the cumulative knowledge of al l of the materials, discussions, professor input and facilitation that has created the space for me to know what I know now. Over time, it becomes vital to be able to stand ideas up next to other ideas and analyze what it all means, and what it all means for me as an individual and a professional.
Two exemplary pieces of work of mine show my skills for critical thinking. The first one (Appendix E) was written early in my program experience. I show how recognizing all sources of information is important and being able to apply other views to my own sets of views is beneficial. The second one (Appendix P) the reader can witness one of my paths of logical learning and combining ideas together beginning to make sense of some more global issues such as media reform, American privilege, consumerism, and corporate control.
In my personal style of learning and growth, these skills have helped me exponentially. I thoroughly enjoy learning, discussing and reading about current life issues. I like to shop for a collection of books (4-10 of them) on topics of interest. I buy them used on line and read them all. Through the process of reading all the perspectives, talking about them to people I know, and integrating them into my existing ideas and goals, I begin to develop my own style, approach and collection of beliefs about a topic. Some topics of interest of mine include, parenting, sexuality, interpersonal healing, communication, coming out, family dynamics, family health… etc.
Being able to integrate all available information responsibly is a hugely vital skill as a human services professional. It will ensure an open and moldable mind and workable style of job implementation. I believe this to be true not only on a professional level but also a personal level as well.