Characteristics of Skillful vs. Unskillful Thinkers Where would you place your ideal learner/thinker?
Skillful (Critical) Thinkers:	Unskillful (Undisciplined) Thinkers:
Have a passionate drive for clarity, precision, accuracy, relevance, consistency, logicalness, completeness, and fairness.	Often think in ways that are unclear, imprecise, inaccurate, etc.
Are sensitive to ways in which critical (disciplined, skillful) thinking can be skewed by egocentrism, sociocentrism, wishful thinking, etc.	Often fall prey to egocentrism, sociocentrism, wishful thinking, etc.
Understand the value of critical thinking, both to individuals and to society as a whole.	See little value in critical thinking.
Are intellectually honest with themselves, acknowledging what they don't know and recognizing their limitations.	Pretend they know more than they do and ignore their limitations.
Listen open-mindedly to opposing points of view and welcome criticisms of beliefs and assumptions.	Are closeminded and resist criticisms of beliefs and assumptions.
Base their beliefs on facts and evidence rather than on personal preference or self-interest.	Often base their beliefs on mere personal preference or self-interest.
Are aware of the biases and preconceptions that shape the way they perceive the world.	Lack awareness of their own biases and preconceptions.
Think independently and are not afraid to disagree with group opinion.	Tend to engage in "group think," uncritically following the beliefs and values of the crowd.
Are able to get to the heart of an issue or problem, without being distracted by details.	Are easily distracted and lack the ability to zero-in on the essence of a problem or issue.
Have intellectual courage to face and assess fairly ideas that challenge even their most basic beliefs.	Fear and resist ideas that challenge their basic beliefs.
Love truth and are curious about a wide range of issues.	Are often relatively indifferent to truth and lack curiosity.
Have the intellectual perseverance to pursue insights or truths, despite obstacles or difficulties.	Tend not to persevere when they encounter intellectual obstacles or difficulties.

Adapted from Bassham, et. al. Introduction to Critical Thinking (2202) p. 22.