Critical Thinking: An Essential Guide to Improving Your Decision-Making Skills and Problem-Solving Abilities along with Avoiding Logical Fallacies and Cognitive Biases

By Jerrell Forman

Do you want to learn how to make sensible life choices and logically solve your problems fast?

Or maybe you're aspiring to improve your thinking capability so you're not fooled by the press, can win an argument, or better protect yourself, your kids, and your family?

You may be pleased to learn that poor decisions and mistakes you've made do not have to define you…
The issue is that nobody taught you how to think critically.

When you don't think critically, or strategically, you don't consider the important facts behind claims people tell you...
You may be leaving out vital information that stops you from making the best decisions possible.
However, the solution is simple and does not involve years of education…

The process of critical thinking and asking the right questions is no mystery. Plenty of scenarios have been well documented in psychology and have been studied for decades.
Your local library may be teeming with self-help books that'll increase your thinking power above your current level…
But you don't have time to read study after study or a series of MIT-level textbooks, right?
That's why we released the latest edition of our book, Critical Thinking.

Now you can learn usable critical thinking, logic, and analysis skills in these easy pages with our clear concepts and detailed instruction.
Our conversational writing style makes for fun reading that makes bettering yourself enjoyable!
Our practical lessons will transform you into a successful critical thinker who thinks in an independent and concise way.

You'll also learn:
- 6 Steps for Solving ANY Problem (these laws help you avoid thinker's fallacy)
- 9 Daily Habits to Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills, Fast! (tools so easy, anyone can use them!)
- 5 Mental Errors that RUIN Decision-Making skills (these slow you down - avoid them!)
- Secrets to How Humans Think (this miniature guide can help you improve your people skills!)

These techniques will have you reasoning like an effective critical thinker in no time...
You'll soon have extraordinary detective-like thinking powers that ordinary people and your friends won't be able to keep up with!
You'll also gain the knowledge to read people around you - whether they're eight or thirty-eight, you'll know how to deal with them!

Leave poor decisions behind you! Click "Add to Cart" and become an expert critical thinker, today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jerrell Forman
• Release date: Mar 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393338383

Book preview

Chapter One: How Humans Think

That is the big question, isn't it? How exactly do our minds work? Why do you enjoy a movie, while your friend hates it? How come you have a firm belief system that is different from that of your family? What exactly is it that makes us tick? These are all questions that you have most likely considered if you are reading this book, and they are very valid ones. While there are plenty of psychological factors affecting all these questions, there are also biological ones that we cannot control. How do humans think? has been a topic and a question that has baffled scientists and philosophers for centuries, and we've only just scratched the tip of the iceberg.

Philosophy and the Brain over the Years

Yes, advancements in understanding the connection between our brains and how we think and feel have been made recently, but this topic has been contested by philosophers and scientists for centuries. Their views and theories, while often factually incorrect, helped us get where we are now and laid the foundations for what we know today as neurosciences.

Ancient Egyptians believed that it was the heart that was responsible for a human's intellect and the center of their emotions, which is why they left it there during mummification. (The brain, on the other hand, was removed.) Centuries later, Aristotle backed the view that the heart was the seat of intelligence and the reason we are sentient beings; he actually believed that the brain was basically responsible for cooling the blood. Plato, on the other hand, believed that it was the mind that was responsible for the rational thinking we possess. He thought it was the source from which we take actions and think for ourselves.

As time went by, philosophers came and went, each with their different views on the big question of how humans think. Some were completely off the mark, while others were getting close to the real answer, which is the fact that it is our brains that guide us to act and feel how we do.

How the Brain Works

Without getting too technical, it is a given that it is the brain that regulates how we experience and feel things (contrary to popular belief, your heart has no direct relation with who you love or hate). To dive a bit deeper into this, let's talk about the specific parts of your brain that affect certain cognitive functions. Before we get into the specifics, you should be aware of the fact that the human brain is layered, like you see in photos and in movies. Each of those different layers serves a different function, and some of those layers have been in mammalian species from the beginning.

The Old Brain

This is one aspect of the brain that we share with animals, generally speaking, and it is one that our ancestors possessed thousands of years ago. Obviously, evolution runs its course, and we have managed to develop further layers of the brain that led to more sophisticated functions and more complex emotions, but the old brain remains intact, and it will probably always remain so in all mammal species. So, what exactly does it do?

Well, the old brain regulates the functions that your body needs to perform in order to survive. This includes everything from breathing, eating, and sleeping to maintaining a heartbeat. It is basically preprogrammed to take care of our motor actions and basic functions that we need to survive.

The Cerebral Cortex

Basic survival functions aside, it is the cerebral cortex that is responsible for your consciousness and thinking patterns. It is that thin layer of the brain that makes us smarter than all the animals out there, and it is what sets humans apart from any other species. It is why we are much smarter than any of the other animals considered to be intelligent life forms.

The cerebral cortex is a thin layer that looks like bark, covering the outer portion of your brain. It is covered by grey matter –"meninges"– which has that color because the nerves around that part of your brain don't have the insulation that is normally present on nerves throughout the rest of your brain, and this makes the nerves appear white. The cerebral cortex allows us to learn and use languages to communicate – a quality largely absent in other mammalian species – and it allows us to acquire intricate skills that no other species can learn. The cerebral cortex is also responsible for our wanting to socialize and be around people. The shape and size of our cerebral cortex make it possible for humans to learn complex, often intangible concepts, and think for themselves in terms above and beyond the primitive instincts that drive other less sophisticated mammals.

The Nervous System

Your body's central nervous system includes the brain, its cerebral cortex, and the spinal cord. You should know that the brain is divided into several lobes, each serving a different function. The Frontal Lobe is responsible for your higher-level cognition, motor skills manifesting in movements and reflexes, and expressive language. The Occipital Lobe is responsible for interpreting any visual stimuli that your brain receives. The Temporal Lobe, on the other hand, is the one that processes sound and interprets the languages we hear, and it is also responsible for memory processing. The last of them is the Parietal Lobe, which interprets sensory information that you experience physically like touch, pain, pressure, and so on.

These are the basic components of your brain and their areas of expertise. But that still hasn't directly answered our main question, How does the human brain work? Well, there is no clear answer to this question, really. Despite the many discoveries made over the years, scientists are still baffled by the specifics of how our brain chooses to think about something in particular as opposed to something else. We simply just know what areas of the brain are responsible for thinking, rationality, vision, and so on, as explained above. For instance, we know that the visual cortex within the occipital lobe uses a lot more energy when you are thinking about something colorful, like some cherry-vanilla ice cream. But it is the sensory cortex within the parietal lobe that lights up when you think about the taste and feel of that ice cream. This is the nature of our knowledge when it comes to how the brain works.

Cognitive Spaces

Despite so much mystery surrounding the human thought process, there are some assumptions in place that do make sense. Scientists believe that the human brain stores all the information it receives and categorizes it components in mental maps of sorts, called cognitive spaces. It is in those spaces located inside the brain where we arrange our past experiences based on factors like geographical data or spatial connections between the different items stored within the cognitive space, as explained by Christian Doeller, a leading scientist advocating this theory. This happens because of the tendency of everything we come across as humans to have some sort of physical properties, one way or another. This means we can arrange them within the mind's cognitive spaces.

Think of it this way; you organize your loved ones, for instance, based on several factors inside your cognitive space. Say you think of your family members in terms of age, height, weight, body structure, etc. You would do the same with laptops; for instance, you would categorize them based on processing speed, screen resolution, materials quality, and so on. Cognitive space is basically your brain's way of coding the input it receives into logical information chunks. The brain puts the data sharing certain dimensions into the same particular spaces. Similar interests would be, therefore, arranged in the same cognitive spaces.

Neuroplasticity

One more thing you should learn about to understand how the human mind works is neuroplasticity. Ever asked yourself why it is much easier to learn a new language or how to play an instrument at a younger age than it is when you are an adult? Sure, stresses of adulthood and not having as much free time do make a difference, but the biggest deciding factor actually has to do with your brain, and how it functions. Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to adapt to new surroundings and conditions, and its ability to change its structure and functions in response to such changes, even in response to damage that parts of your body or the brain itself might have sustained.

The brain isn't rigid, but rather flexible and constantly adapting, and is capable of adjusting its settings to take in new data while adapting to varying circumstances. It is because of neuroplasticity that a right-handed person who

Reviews for Critical Thinking

[alfredo sanchez · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I think the book hits the mark regarding the basic knowledge one has to have about critical thinking. I would recommend it.

[John Lee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book demonstrates how critical thinking can be mastered. It is insightful and practical, a unique overview of critical thinking techniques that will improve your reasoning and decision making.

[Adrian Bejosa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was a fascinating, fun, and quick read, and I'd recommend it to anyone that wants to upgrade their own critical thinking skills. There are some good arguments why we should all be more concerned with learning/teaching critical thinking skills.

[Jayson Gaerlan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is about teaching people skills that can prove valuable in their personal and professional lives so they are not just accepting things thrown in front of them and are engaged in challenging material and questioning conclusions and assumptions.

[Jhaira Mae · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Interesting!
This book is very educational. It is very helpful and I suggest this book for teenagers and young adults. This age brackets are usually the start where they start to make their own decisions in life. It is a good guide book. This helps you to think critically and helps you to analyze the situation first before deciding on that matter. This book also gives you 9 daily tips to improve you critical thinking skills ? go on and check this book!

[Scotty Voltaire · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The brilliant writers are well knowledgeable and the way they have organized the book helps the reader to not only practice the skills and strategies given but to also understand how these tools work. This book is very helpful to a person like me to apply in every day life.

[HANNAH · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

People who are impulsive, indecisive, and irrational enough to make not-so-good decisions should make this their book.

Logic and analysis we should carry in our pockets as we go. We cannot deny the fact that many of us are being irrational and unreasonable sometimes, especially when the situation calls for it. We make bad decisions when we are being put in between two or more situations that detests to defy us and challenge our psychological response. However, inspite of these situations, we may also recall ourselves to aspire and wonder what it feels like to have all your decisions to be thoroughly thought of. In this book by Jerell Forman, the author illustrates the mind and it's capability of undergoing being rational in times of adrenaline rushes. Forman also discussed the study claims that proves higher educations isn't needed for someone to be replenished from making bad decisions. Furthermore, the author talked mostly about the edification of mind and the nourishment of it so our brains would be decisive enough to study certain situations that requires critical thinking.

[Tony Simon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A helpful book indeed which will greatly help you how to think in a more critical way, which is every helpful in your daily endeavor because you can think faster.

[Kimmie Camerino · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The author was able to guide us in doing step-by-step ways on solving and dealing with problems, teach how to comprehensively think about our thinking and the others thinking, too.

[Castañeda Del Rey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Making decisions is a lot harder than you think, in order to make a decision you must know what will be the effect of your actions beforehand. This means we need to think properly and critically. This book got your back, it teachers us to think logically. I love how this can improve how we think. This is definitely worth the read.

[Marlon Devera Gumboc · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I pursue reading this book because I want to broaden and improve my critical thinking skills. Upon reading this book, I can say that the author perfectly hit my satisfaction. I consider this book as one of the best books I've read. What I love about this book is the tips given on how to deal with proper decision making. It helps me a lot to the point that I have to owe the author a lot. I became wiser just by reading this book. It is really an amazing book to read!

[Julius Brigades · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is an amazingly useful book whose insights are timeless. I constantly keep going back to read some sections of it, because the matters discussed therein touch on things that happen in our day to day lives. This is an excellent book for anyone in learning how to become a critical thinker. Amazing book!

[Tolits Mendoza · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Learning and memorizing facts is not thinking. We have to teach this generation HOW to think not WHAT to think. Today people bow down to whatever some guy with a PHD tells them, but he clearly talks about how even scientists sometimes could be wrong, highly recommended!

[Enmar David · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I just wanted some help with critical thinking and so far this book has been enlightening. I recommend it to everyone. In these days of fake news, prejudice, and deliberate dishonesty, the advice in this book is welcome.

[Maui Lasaga · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I find managing biased people difficult to deal with. We can identify them, yes, but you have to be careful and communicate well. This book is said that we need some effort, critical thinking, and understanding too. Using effective reasoning can help you become more persuasive and can deliver your thoughts in a reasonable manner.

[Vanessa Elnar · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is a wonderful resource for individuals or people who wants to improve their creative thinking. This is a convenient guide to allow yourself conceptualize things and to enhance how you see and value things. The reader must then decide what is useful and applicable to daily lives.

[Chelly Cruz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The everyday choices we make contributes the most to our life and state of well-being. And if our choices are based on faulty thinking or quick decisions, the results are going to be unsatisfactory. Solving any problem can be challenging and stressful. Found in this book some ways on how to solve it that aims your desired outcome.

[Brann Arellano · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book has the claims of changing some of our mental habits. The best way to measure the things you learned from this book is by applying it to your real-life situation and see how it makes a difference. As this book explains the various functions of our brains and its part, you can understand how we think and how the brain works. Critical thinking is necessary in absorbing and analyzing information. This book will help you comprehend and apply some habits to prompt critical thinking.

[Antoniette Luarez · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I recommend this book for it teaches you to become more fair-minded and think more logically. A very good book.

[Jefferson Baniqued De Guzman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book will make us a better person if you will give it attention. It will give you knowledge on how to deal with every situation you might get into. You’ll know how to do because this book serves to be an instrument to train our mind and make good decisions that will lead us to a good life or a better future.

[Karl Angelo Gil · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Learning and memorizing facts is not thinking. We have to teach this generation HOW to think not WHAT to think. Today people bow down to whatever some guy with a PHD tells them, but he clearly talks about how even scientists sometimes could be wrong, highly recommended!

[Ate and Bunso Vlogs · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Personally, to make a decision is hard for me. Sometimes it leads me to wrong choice of decision and it gives me stress. So reading this book is a big help for me. Adding to this, critical thinking is also hard for me sometimes so that my friends and people around me, making fun of me. By reading this book, its help me a lot to be more sensitive and aware on the people surround me. Thanks for sharing and inspiring dear author. God bless your heart.

[Marlon Vallejos · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A well written book which tackle and provide you true to life situations which might improved your critical thinking skills. Great read and really helpful. Thank you.

[Fränjelä Iënäh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is a good read for me. It has good life lessons and a good guide for my future career.
I enjoy logic presented in the content and I enjoyed reading this book. This book is readable and is full of real-life examples. It is thorough and discusses multiple related topics. This book is very helpful for self-realization and thinking process.

[Cathy Malubay · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I agree that problem-solving is one of the difficult situations that we are facing every day. We often deal with situations by not properly approaching the matter at hand. We are sometimes misinformed or we are scared of failures and disappointment but we have to be courageous and explore alternatives. I love this book for it teaches us how to be more optimistic in life by considering the things around us, not to give quick judgments, be a good decision-maker, and to assess solutions to avoid conflict. I love the hacks given in the books. Good read. ^^

[Revi James · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was looking for a straightforward, insightful, and all-encompassing overview of Critical Thinking. The author offered a plethora of examples, constructed in a logical and cohesive manner and structure, and articulated eloquently, addressing topic after topic in a concise approach. Thinking is not the same as learning and memorizing. Hear this out. We ought to show this generation how to think, not what to think. The author goes into depth about how even scientists can make errors, and how prejudice destroys societies, an example of wrongful thinking.

Despite the fact that everyone can improve Critical Thinking in their own way without reading this book, I still consider this to be a must-read.

[Voncy Ignacio · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book has abundant ideas that is applicable in real-life situations. For instance, being open to differences and asking questions are essential principles in becoming a critical thinker. If we’re able to analyze things correctly, we can avoid problems and we can get the root of it. Following the tips in this book is very helpful specially to avoid uncritical thinking and to embrace individuality. We sometimes make tough decisions and often fail. I am now learning from my past experience and this made me reflect from the things that I’ve done before. I hope it can also help you become better and avoid biases for fairness and sound decisions.

[Michael Jay G. Lasaga · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was looking for books like this because I wanted to understand practical tips for critical thinking.
If our choices are based on faulty thinking and biases, the results are going to be disappointing.
In addition to dealing with various complaints, arguments, and evaluating errors, I have to start opening my mind when dealing with more subjects than I had in the past. I need to think critically and spend more time with important concerns only.

[Anthony N. Luarez Jr. · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was so refreshing to step back and learn about how the concept progressed over time, how I might enhance my own critical thinking abilities. This book is also helpful if you want join debates for it will help you generate valuable and logical ideas. Critical, reasoning and analytical thinking tools are an integral part of success in business, relationships, and life. I recommend this book for anyone looking to sharpen their critical thinking skills!

[Romelyn Castro · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oftentimes, we, humans make reckless decisions in life unconsciously and we tend to regret those later on. This book is the answer to such dilemma we experience giving us the overview how the mind works and guiding us to achieve life decisions using critical thinking. It does not stop there since the author also included methods for us to be able to practice such thinking techniques. I will keep the knowledge I've learned and apply those for me to have a healthy life decisions.