Critical thinking involves considering logic, emotion, and ethics when making decisions. How people think critically changes with age - children rely less on logic than teens and adults. As people mature from their late teens to mid-20s, decision making shifts from emotion-based to incorporating knowledge and understanding different perspectives. Adults understand life's complexities and accept various concepts. Critical thinkers are curious, open-minded, and able to handle confusion while controlling emotion. They can distinguish conclusions and admit what they do not know. Critical thinking allows people to make difficult decisions by gathering information and adapting to different environments.

1. Critical Thinking

2. The Critical Thinking Process When in the process of making a decision one must consider the following steps :

3. Logic

4. Emotion

5. Ethical Criteria

6. A decision can only be made when an individual carefully puts in perspective the data listed above and it's consequences.

7. Age Groups And Critical Thinking In different stages of life, individuals tend to have different ways of thinking. Research shows a child does not use logical thinking until the age of 12.

8. From Ages of 12-17 Individuals from this age group do not make their own decisions yet. Decisions are made by authority figures. Example: parents,teachers etc.

9. From Ages Of 18-21 Most decisions are based upon whether a situation brings a “good feeling” or not. An individual of this age group uses very little or none of logic but rather follows emotions.

10. From Ages Of 22-25 People in this age group now use knowledge and think nothing is absolute. They believe that everything is interpreted differently.

11. From Ages Of 25 And On Individuals in this age range understand the concept of life. They understand that life has many different concepts and they accept it. Adulthood brings many responsibilities.

12. Critical Thinking Knowledge Skills Critical thinkers are:

13. Intellectually curious

14. Open-minded

15. Avoid “Red-Herrings”

16. Know how to use anecdotes effectively

17. Learn how to handle confusion Able to control emotion

18. Sensitive to the needs of others

19. Can distinguish between conclusions

20. Admit when they do not know something

21. Critical Thinkers are Able to Make Difficult Decisions Critical thinkers must be intelligent

22. They must be able to adapt to different environments

23. Critical thinkers should have as much info as they can

24. Conclusion We must all use the skills incorporated with critical thinking to be successful individuals in our lifetime.