What are some of the traits, skills, and abilities of a critical thinker? Describe a situation in which you, a co-worker, or fellow student demonstrated these attributes.

Critical thinking involves the application of knowledge and experience to an issue in order to evaluate its validity. There are several traits, skills, and abilities that are associated with this practice such as creative problem-solving, analytical reasoning, and open-mindedness. A situation in which I demonstrated these attributes was during my first semester of college when faced with a dilemma about my course selection for the following semester. After carefully analyzing all available options I decided to take a risk by enrolling in an unfamiliar subject that had intrigued me since high school.

In doing so I employed creative problem-solving techniques to consider different perspectives on the issue at hand while relying on my analytical skills to weigh pros and cons of each option. Additionally, my open-mindedness helped me stay away from any preconceived notions or biases which allowed me to make a more informed decision free from external influences.

Overall this experience taught me the importance of critical thinking when making important life decisions. By displaying these attributes I was able to follow through on my own convictions rather than succumbing to peer pressure or common expectations which ultimately resulted in a positive outcome for myself.