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FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCE

SSS 1133 THINKING AND INTELLIGENCE

HANDOUT QUESTIONS

Jonathan Tan KYE Ren

4192008201D
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Assignment Questions:

1. Consider the features and characteristics of each stage of critical thinking

development. What stage describes how you reasoned when you were in high
school? Share specific experiences from your life which reflect that stage of
thinking.
2. Did you begin to change or develop as a critical thinker in college? How?
Share specific experiences which demonstrate these changes.
3. Assess your own recent development as a critical thinker. Do you think
you’ve advanced through any of these stages this semester? Why or why not?
4 .If you have not, what are some barriers to advancing and moving through
these stages? If you have, what has enabled you to advance in or develop your
skills as a critical thinker?
5. What are your personal goals for yourself in the area of critical thinking? Be
specific.

Answers:
1. I would describe myself a an “unreflective thinker” while I was in high
school, the reason why I say this is because that I wasn’t much of a
thinker at all, I couldn’t care less about anything, I was drinking, having
multiple toxic relationships, and even at one point smoking. I would turn
a blind eye on anything I didn’t care for, if I would even care. Right up
until the last days of SPM that realised that what damage that I’ve caused
to my surroundings and myself…

2. I knew I had to grow up at some point because everyone I knew didn’t

give up on me despite what I have done, especially my father. At that
point I started thinking for a change. I developed as a critical thinker after
I got my SPM result, due to my prior awful behaviour, I didn’t do very
well, I was lucky to even get an A-for English and I wouldn’t even talk
about the rest…I was trying to find a university to further study, but
interview after interview I failed due to my neglected speaking skills and
couldn’t prove my worth with my SPM results. Just as I was about to give
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up, I got a dermasiswa offer from UNISEL. I was shocked a first, but
realised that this was the opportunity to start fresh and turn over a new
leaf. So I took the offer, studied hard, made and loose some friends along
the way, I would describe myself as a “challenged thinker” back then, and
now im here, with a 4.00 gpa for my last semester, I am proud to say that
critical thinking has changed me into a better person

3. I think that I have advanced, developing into a practicing thinker. I have

come to terms with the reality I face and the duty and responsibility that I
bare. I always think wisely for every decision I make and I ask on
peoples’ opinion especially from my friends so as the decision benefits
then as well as it benefits me in in a group situation

4. I still tend to have some egocentric tendencies while in a group,

especially with the friends I go out with, which they tend to flatter it,
which doesn’t really help, but ive made some major decisions, that
everyone has a say at where we go and what we do. I will pay close
attention to my egocentrism and watch out for any flattery that happens.

5. My personal goal in the area of critical thinking is to become a better

“Practicing Thinker” or maybe even advancing, being an “Advanced
Thinker”, also trying hard not to fall back to a “Challenged thinker” that I
used to be. I wish to be someone who is in control of my egocentrism and
know how to balance my ideas out and always willing to accept criticism.
I want to be someone who recognises their biases and prejudices and can
be fair despite of those factors.