This document outlines the key aspects of critical thinking and decision making. It discusses critical thinking as examining information from multiple perspectives, developing personal views supported by evidence, and discussing ideas with others. It also lists steps for decision making, including clearly identifying the situation, considering all options and consequences, weighing choices based on their health, ethics, legality and parental approval, and reflecting on the outcome after implementing the decision.

4.  Critical thinking is an integrated way of
examining information, ideas, and
proposals.

5.  Being able to question, explore, and deal
effectively with yourself, others, and life’s
problems
 Developing your own view of the world
 Being open to new ideas and willing to
analyze issues

6.  Supporting your personal views with
reasons and evidence, while understanding
alternative viewpoints.
 Discussing your ideas with others to test
and enrich your thinking.

7. Testing existing ideas and/or solutions for flaws
and errors. Being able to apply logic and make
one’s own decisions.

8.  Identify and describe a problem
 Discriminate between fact and opinion
 List possible solutions and their
consequences
 Identify personal and/or family values that
conflict with the situation
 Take a defensible position based on logic

9.  How do you make personal decisions?
 Do your make your decisions at the time
something happens or ahead of time?

10.  Is it against the law, my rules or the teachings
of my family or religion?

11.  Is it harmful to me or to others?

12.  Would it disappoint my family or other adults
who are important to me?

13.  Is it wrong to do?

14.  Could I be sorry afterward?

15.  Would I be hurt or upset if someone did this
to me?

16.  Is it within my value system?

17.  Healthful
 Ethical
 Legal
 Parent approval

18.  Clearly identify the situation
 Ask yourself: what decision do I need to
make? Who is involved? Am I feeling pressure
to make a decision? How much time do I have
to decide?

19.  What are all the possible choices you could
make? Remember that sometimes it is
appropriate not to take action. Sare your
options with parents or guardians, siblings,
teachers, or friends. Ask for their advice

20.  Weigh the consequences of each option. Use
the HELP strategy to guide your choices.

21.  A responsible decision will reflect your values

22.  Use everything you know at this point to
make a responsible decision. You can feel
good that you have carefully thought about
the situation and your options.

23.  After you have made the decision and taken
action, reflect on what happened. What was
the outcome? How did your decision affect
your health and the health of those around
you? What did you learn? Would you take the
same action again? If not, how would our
choice differ?