PrintMeasured Reasons LLC is an organization that specializes in “assessing reasoning, thinking strategically, and educating for critical thinking.” The following activity was adapted from their Critical Thinking Mindset Self-Rating Form. Below is a self-rating form designed to help you reflect on your critical thinking mindset over the past two days. Please answer each question honestly, considering specific instances from your recent experiences. Once completed, use the scoring guide to interpret your results. Remember, this is an opportunity for personal reflection, and there are no right or wrong answers—only insights into your thinking habits.
Critical Thinking Mindset Self-Rating Form
Answer yes or no to each. Can I name any specific instances over the past two days when:
- I was courageous enough to ask tough questions about some of my longest held and most cherished beliefs?
- I backed away from questions that might undercut some of my longest held and most cherished beliefs?
- I showed tolerance toward the beliefs, ideas, or opinions of someone with whom I disagreed?
- I tried to find information to build up my side of an argument but not the other side?
- I tried to think ahead and anticipate the consequences of various options?
- I laughed at what other people said and made fun of their beliefs, values, opinion, or points of views?
- I made a serious effort to be analytical about the foreseeable outcomes of my decisions?
- I manipulated information to suit my own purposes?
- I encouraged peers not to dismiss out of hand the opinions and ideas other people offered?
- I acted with disregard for the possible adverse consequences of my choices?
- I organized for myself a thoughtfully systematic approach to a question or issue?
- I jumped in and tried to solve a problem without first thinking about how to approach it?
- I approached a challenging problem with confidence that I could think it through?
- I instead of working through a question for myself, took the easy way out and asked someone else for the answer?
- I read a report, newspaper, or book chapter or watched the world news or a documentary just to learn something new?
- I put zero effort into learning something new until I saw the immediate utility in doing so?
- I showed how strong I was by being willing to honestly reconsider a decision?
- I showed how strong I was by refusing to change my mind?
- I attended to variations in circumstances, contexts, and situations in coming to a decision?
- I refused to reconsider my position on an issue in light of differences in context, situations, or circumstances?
Scoring Instructions:
- Award yourself 5 points for each "Yes" response on odd-numbered items (1, 3, 5, etc.).
- Award yourself 5 points for each "No" response on even-numbered items (2, 4, 6, etc.).
Interpreting Your Score:
- 70 or above : You are rating your disposition toward critical thinking over the past two days as generally positive.
- 51 to 69 : You are rating yourself as having a mixed or ambivalent disposition toward critical thinking during this time.
- 50 or below : You are rating your disposition toward critical thinking as generally averse or hostile over the past two days.
Note : This self-rating provides a rough estimate of your critical thinking mindset over a brief period. Interpret results on this tool cautiously and use it as a tool for reflection rather than a definitive assessment. Other tools are more refined, such as the California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory, which gives results for each of the seven critical thinking habits of mind.
Adapted from © 2009 Measured Reasons LLC(link is external), Hermosa Beach, CA. Used with permission.