Obstacles
to
Critical Thinking
Obstacles to critical thinking hinder our ability to reason with logic. These affect each component of the Street Smarts model and are important to learn about. Learning about obstacles to critical thinking is the first step to avoiding these in our reasoning and when forming arguments and conclusions. Work through each of the modules below and complete the activities within each one.
KEY
OBSTACLES
LOGICAL
FALLACIES
Statements or reasoning which appears to be true until the rules of logic are applied. Some fallacies are used to intentionally persuade or manipulate people through deceptive means, and some fallacies may be used unintentionally in the construction of an argument, without realising it.
AD
HOMINEN
Ad Hominem is a logical fallacy where instead of addressing the argument or viewpoint given by someone, the person making the argument is attacked.
CONFIRMATION
BIAS
Confirmation bias is the tendency to analyse and interpret information in such a way that supports or confirms a person’s existing beliefs. This fallacy occurs when a person only selects information that is supportive of their belief whilst ignoring other conflicting information.
HEURISTIC
BIAS
The availability heuristic is a form of cognitive bias and can be thought of as a shortcut of the brain to help us assess our choices.
UNCONSCIOUS
BIAS
Unconscious biases (also known as implicit biases) are learned attitudes, assumptions or beliefs held subconsciously. This means we aren’t always aware of these biases and the effect these have on how we think and feel about those around us.