UNIT 1 FUNDAMENTALS OF COMMUNICATION.pdf

KBS Commerce & NATARAJ Professional Sciences College, Vapi FYBCA SEM 1 UNIT 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF COMMUNICATION 1.1 DEFINITION AND MEANING, OVERVIEW What is communication? Communication is the process of transmitting informatio...

KBS Commerce & NATARAJ Professional Sciences College, Vapi FYBCA SEM 1 UNIT 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF COMMUNICATION 1.1 DEFINITION AND MEANING, OVERVIEW What is communication? Communication is the process of transmitting information from one person to another. It is the act of sharing of ideas, facts, opinions, thoughts, messages or emotions to other people, in and out of the organization, with the use of the channel to create mutual understanding and confidence. It is not tied to words, i.e. whether an individual speaks or not, the message is automatically conveyed to the other party. Besides words, communication can take place through symbols, letters, actions, expressions, etc. 1.2 PROCESS OF COMMUNICATION Communication is a two-way process, wherein the interchange of messages connects the sender and receiver, towards an agreed direction, consisting of seven elements: 1. Sender: Otherwise known as a source, it is the person who has something to pass on, to another individual. 2. Encoding: The sender of the message, selects appropriate words or non-verbal techniques to convert the idea into the message, which is called encoding. 3. Message: Message implies something that the sender wants to communicate, to the receiver. Without a message, no communication is possible. 4. Medium: Medium alludes to the channel or mode, through which a message is communicated to the receiver, i.e. it can be sent by way of the electronic word processing system, graphic, symbol, etc. 5. Receiver: The one to whom the message is directed, is called the receiver. He/she notices and conveys some meaning to the message. 6. Decoding: The act of interpreting a message by the receiver, is termed decoding. The receiver’s outlook, experience, and attitude play a vital role in decoding the message. 7. Feedback: The process of communication can never be completed if the response of the receiver is missing. It enables the communicator of a message to know whether the message has been received and interpreted in the same manner as directed. All the seven elements of communication have a great role to play in the entire process, as there can be some deformation between the intended message and the received one. 1.3 FEATURES AND PROCESS OF PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION Professional communication refers to the oral, written, visual, and digital forms of delivering information in the context of a workplace. Effective professional communication is critical in today’s world. Most problems in an organization arise as a result of poor communication. Effective communication ensures a smooth flow of ideas, facts, decisions, and advice. This way, employees eliminate hindrances in achieving the organization’s target. On the other hand, poor communication may lead to the loss of time, money, opportunity, energy, and even goodwill in any enterprise. It is, therefore, essential to understand the various features of professional communication. As a result, you will be able to foster growth and development in the organization. This article lists some of the most critical features of professional communication. 1. Accuracy Accuracy is one of the most vital features of professional communication. The relayed information needs to be correct. Inaccurate information cannot be viewed as credible. It significantly undermines the reputation of any organization. It may also attract litigation. Additionally, anyone who relays incorrect information also risks losing their credibility. Apart from the accuracy of the content conveyed, effective professional communication also needs to be accurate even in simple things such as grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Even one mistake has the potential to lead to miscommunication between parties. Consequently, this may lead to financial losses for the business. 2. Clarity and Brevity Communication needs to be brief and to the point. Professionals don’t have time to read long circulars and letters littered with superfluous information. They will feel more comfortable with short letters designed to convey the message quickly. Additionally, the information therein needs to be clear and free from any ambiguity. Therefore, a professional communicator needs to be conscious of the objective of their communication. This way, they avoid ambiguity which breeds miscommunication. 3. Distinctiveness Communication in the professional world is done with a particular goal in mind. Generic professional communication will not achieve the intended objective. One needs to be specific to communicate effectively. The more specific the message is, the more the target audience is likely to understand it and the more it meets the desired objective. Any communication in an organization should only deal with one particular subject at a time. This is the only way to reach effective results. Dealing with multiple issues at a time has the potential to create chaos and confusion. This is a threat to sound management. 4. Segmentation When it comes to professional communication, employees in any organization, even the small ones, will have different needs, interests, and desires. Therefore, communication needs to be tailored to meet the specific needs of the target audience for it to have the desired effect or impact. Communication in any organization needs to be segmented for specific departments. For example, writing one letter to all the departments and individuals may not be an effective way of communicating. The communicator should tailor the information to particular departments. Additionally, communication should be handled by an individual specialized in the workings of specific departments especially when expert knowledge is required. 5. Continuity Continuity is also one of the most crucial features of professional communication. Communication must always be present in an organization. Without it, a company cannot claim to exist. As blood circulation is critical to a living body so is communication to a company. Managers should, therefore, ensure that communication is adequate and flowing smoothly in all directions. Whenever there is a breakdown in communication, a misunderstanding arises leading to unfavorable hostility, conflict, and attitudes. Therefore, communication needs to be continuous. It should move up, down, and sideways to ensure that all concerned parties remain in the loop and are participating actively. 6. Internal and External Fields Communication in an organization is primarily internal. It is an essential component in administrative function and is targeted to employees and other members belonging to a company. A public notice informing members of an annual general meeting in an organization is an example of internal communication. Internal communication may be either vertical or horizontal. Communication may also go beyond the borders of an organization. When it extends to external parties who aren’t necessarily members of the company, it is referred to as external communication. Such communication is usually intended to maintain relationships between external parties and the organization. It has broad coverage and occurs less frequently than internal communication. 7. Two-Way Traffic Communication is a two-way traffic. As it flows downwards from a superior to a subordinate, so should it flow upwards. For instance, when a manager conveys information to the employees, they should be ready to receive reactions and responses. Otherwise, they may not meet objectives efficiently. The chain of communication is not complete until the receiver gets the message and the sender receives the response. Management should be able to speak, inform and order. On the other hand, they should also be good at listening. Employees deserve an opportunity to share their opinions, thoughts, and feedback. Two-way communication benefits management and employees. In the end, the entire organization will have to gain. 8. Multi-Channel Communication can be achieved through a wide variety of channels to ensure that it reaches audiences in different forms of settings. There are many channels to choose from including meetings, print, and bulletin boards. These fall under the category of traditional forms of professional communication. The new electronic means of communication are email, social media, smartphones, and chat apps. Many factors should inform the choice of the medium used to communicate. The communicator should consider the nature of the communication, the sense of urgency, and the distance between them and the recipient. Final Word Effective communication is critical to any organization. It is, therefore, imperative to understand the essential features of professional communication. Communication needs to be accurate, brief, to the point, continuous, specific, and segmented. It can either be internal and external. Moreover, we can channel it through a wide variety of mediums including print, oral, and electronic. Communicators in the professional world have a lot of tools at their disposal and should choose which ones to use carefully. They should factor in the essential features of professional communication and take their audience and intended goals into consideration before making decisions to ensure that their efforts pay off. 1.4 DIFFERENT FORMS OF COMMUNICATION Communication is the act of transmitting information, ideas, and attitudes from one person to another. Thus communication takes place among individuals, belonging to various categories and backgrounds, they put into operation various types of communication. 7 Types of Communication Communication takes place at different levels and accordingly we can speak of different types of communication: 1. Verbal Communication 2. Non-Verbal Communication 3. Written Communication 4. Visual Communication  5. Feedback Communication 6. Mass Communication 7. Group Communication Verbal Communication In verbal communication words of a particular language are used for passing the message. For example, while teaching in a class teacher speaks, and writes on the blackboard, or sometimes, he/she may use audio/visual aids, such as the power-point to explain/emphasize certain points. All these modes come under the category of verbal communication. Thus, verbal communication is of two types. Intrapersonal Communication When communication takes place within oneself, it is called intrapersonal communication. It includes individual reflection, meditation, and contemplation. Intrapersonal communication includes prayers addressed to the divine though some authors describe communication with the divine as Transpersonal Communication. Interpersonal Communication Interpersonal communication takes place between two persons. This includes dialogue, conversation, or exchange of views between two persons without using any technological devices like the telephone. It is direct, intimate, and consists of verbal interaction or gestures. Oral Communication This is the communication that employs the spoken word, either direct or indirect as a communication channel. This verbal communication could be made on a channel that passes information in only one form i.e. sound. Public Communication In public communication, the sender-receiver (the speaker) sends a message (the speech) to an audience. The speaker usually delivers a highly structured message, using the same channels as in interpersonal and small-group communication. Non-Verbal Communication Communication without using words, such as gestures, body language, the facial expressions is called non-verbal communication. Often non-verbal expressions supplement verbal communication, but they may be the only ones as mentioned earlier, while giving a speech in a rally, the leader often uses gestures, to emphasize certain points. But the teacher may allow a student to enter the class simply by a gesture. Non-verbal communication is of the following types: Body Language (Kinesics) Facial Expressions Posture Gestures Touch  Proxemics Appearance and Artifacts Paralanguage Written Communication This kind of communication involves any kind of exchange of information in written form. To put it simply, written language communication is communication by means of written symbols that are communicated by or to or between people or groups. Thus, written communication is the presentation of ideas or essays that make a clear point, supply details supporting that point, and demonstrate unity and coherence of thought. When the information is lengthy and comprises images, pictures, charts, graphs, statistical data, and so forth, then it cannot be imparted orally to the individuals. In such cases, written communication is regarded as one of the indispensable ways of imparting information. Visual Communication Visual communication is also the type of communication that is common in the daily lives of individuals. The main areas through which visual communication takes place are televisions, radios, social networking, and so forth. When individuals are watching television or listening to radio programs, then also they are engaged in a form of communication. In some cases, they are not only utilizing these for leisure and recreational purposes, but they are also augmenting their knowledge and understanding in terms of various aspects. When individuals are communicating with others, then in most cases, their objective is to enhance their knowledge and understanding. Therefore, through some television shows and radio programs as well, individuals are able to augment their knowledge and understanding. Facebook is visual with the use of memes, videos, images, and so forth. Instagram is the only image platform, and advertisers make use of this platform to market their products. Feedback Communication When individuals, who are in leadership positions in educational institutions and in various forms of organizations, such as instructors, supervisors, heads, directors, employers, and so forth, put into operation various types of assessment methods to evaluate the performance of the individuals. After evaluating the performance, they provide feedback in terms of their performance. Hence, the communication that takes place is termed feedback communication.. Therefore, within educational institutions at all levels and various types of organizations, this type of communication is regarded as crucial and beneficial. Mass Communication Mass Communication is the process of delivering information, ideas, and attitudes to a sizeable and diversified audience. This is done through the use of media developed for that purpose namely newspapers, magazines, radio, television, websites, and social media networks. The act of mass communication is much more complex than that of face-to-face communication. It is addressed to the masses, to an extremely large audience. Group Communication Communication by many persons in a face-to-face situation is described as group communication. Here, as the group grows in size communication tends to become more and more of a monologue reducing participation. The degree of directness, therefore, depends on the size of the group, the place where it meets, and also the relationship of the members of the group to one another. In a group, communication feedback is more difficult to measure and respond to. 1.5 COMMUNICATION NETWORK IN AN ORGANIZATION A communication network refers to how information flows within the organization. Information within an organization generally flows through a system, rather than being a free flow. Communication networks are regular patterns of person-to-person relationships through which information flows in an organization. This means that the flow of information is managed, and regulated. and structured. Communication networks may be formal or informal. Formal Communication Network – A formal communication network is one that is created by management and described with the help of an organizational chart. An organizational chart specifies the hierarchy and the reporting system in the organization. Therefore, in a formal network, information is passed on only through official channels such as memos, bulletins, and intranet (email within the organization). The organizational chart implies that information can flow in any of three directions – vertically, i.e., upward or downward, and horizontally. 1. Upward Communication – This may be defined as information that flows from subordinates to superiors. Some of the reasons for upward communication include discussing work-related problems, giving suggestions for improvement, and sharing feelings about the job and co-workers. This type of communication has both benefits and disadvantages. One of the biggest benefits is problem-solving. Once a subordinate has brought a problem to his superior’s notice, chances are that the problem will not recur, since the subordinate learns from his superior how to tackle it the next time. Thus, his ability to solve new problems and therefore his managerial ability improves. Another benefit that could arise from upward communication is that valuable ideas and suggestions may sometimes come from lower-level employees. Therefore organizations should encourage this kind of communication. A third benefit is that employees learn to accept the decisions of management and thereby work as a team. The biggest problem associated with this type of communication is that it may lead to the “handing down” decisions by superiors. When subordinates frequently seek the superior’s guidance, the latter may adopt an authoritarian approach and merely give instructions, disregarding the subordinate’s opinion completely. 2. Downward Communication – This may be defined as information that flows from superiors to subordinates. The most common reasons for downward communication are for giving job instructions, explaining company rules, policies, and procedures, and giving feedback regarding job performance. A number of studies have indicated that regular downward communication in the form of the feedback given to employees is the most important factor affecting job satisfaction. Therefore organizations today are trying to encourage more of this type of communication. There are both benefits and disadvantages associated with this type of communication. Downward communication that provides regular feedback will be beneficial if the feedback or review of performance is constructive. A constructive review is one where a manager “counsels” an employee, or advises him on how to improve his performance. On the other hand, a destructive review can destroy employee morale and confidence. Regular downward communication also creates a climate of transparency or openness, where information is passed on through official channels, rather than through rumors. Thirdly, downward communication boosts employee morale, since it indicates that management is involved in their progress. The problems with this type of communication are the danger of doing destructive reviews, as mentioned, and that of “message overload.” This means that superiors may sometimes burden their subordinates with too many instructions, leading to confusion. 3. Horizontal Communication – This type of communication is also known as “lateral” communication. It may be defined as communication that takes place between co-workers in the same department, or in different departments, with different areas of responsibility. For example, Sales Managers and Advertising Managers in the Marketing department, or Marketing Managers and Finance Managers. The reasons for this type of communication are for coordination of tasks, sharing of information regarding goals of the organization, resolving interpersonal or work-related problems, and building rapport. The biggest potential benefit of horizontal communication is the sense of teamwork that is created. Regular communication of this type ensures that all co-workers work together towards achieving a common goal in the overall interest of the organization. The biggest potential problem is that conflicts such as ego clashes are bound to arise when co-workers at the same level communicate on a regular basis. In spite of these problems, horizontal or lateral communication has become more important in today’s business scenario than upward or downward communication. This is because the “organizational pyramid” indicating the different hierarchies or levels in an organization has flattened. This is illustrated by the diagrams given below. Informal Communication Network – Another name for informal networks is the “grapevine”. In this type of network, the information does not flow in a particular direction, as we have seen with formal networks. The information is also not passed on through official channels such as memos, notices, or bulletin boards. The information need not be circulated within the organization but could be passed on outside the work environment, wherever co-workers or colleagues meet socially. Thus, informal networks are based more on friendship, and shared personal or career interests. Example – Co-workers may meet outside the work environment at a company picnic, party or a car pool and discuss areas of common interest that may or may not be work related. Information may then be passed on to each other about happenings in the company, such as layoffs, the company’s plans for acquisitions and so on. This type of informal network is not just for idle rumors and may be useful in many ways. First of all, it sometimes fills in the “transparency gaps” left by formal networks. Such gaps usually occur during times of crisis such as strikes or layoffs. The strikes and layoffs may not be officially announced. Secondly, it may help to confirm important information, such as the fact that the company is going in for a major acquisition. Thirdly, the grapevine can be used for a constructive purpose by the organization. Example – The government could get the press to publish news in the local paper that there is going to be a petrol price hike soon, just to test the reactions of the general public. If the reaction is negative, then the news may be withdrawn on the basis that it is just a rumor. Similarly, organizations could deliberately plant proposals in the minds of their employees, just to test their reactions. Given that informal communication networks have their advantages, they should not be suppressed as rumors. On the contrary, competent managers should accept the informal network. At the same time, they should make efforts to counter false rumors and to ensure transparency through the formal network. This means making all types of information – both positive and negative, available to everyone in the organization through official channels. 1.6 BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION Barriers of Communication: This far we have seen what we mean by the process of communication. But, at times even after taking care of every other detail some misunderstandings arise. So, to eliminate these misunderstandings, we have to understand the most common barriers to effective communication. Let us see what these Barriers of Communication are! Barriers To Effective Communication The process of communication has multiple barriers. The intended communique will often be disturbed and distorted leading to a condition of misunderstanding and failure of communication. The Barriers to effective communication could be of many types like linguistic, psychological, emotional, physical, and cultural etc. We will see all of these types in detail below. Linguistic Barriers The language barrier is one of the main barriers that limit effective communication. Language is the most commonly employed tool of communication. The fact that each major region has its own language is one of the Barriers to effective communication. Sometimes even a thick dialect may render the communication ineffective. As per some estimates, the dialects of every two regions changes within a few kilometers. Even in the same workplace, different employees will have different linguistic skills. As a result, the communication channels that span across the organization would be affected by this. Thus keeping this barrier in mind, different considerations have to be made for different employees. Some of them are very proficient in a certain language and others will be ok with these languages. Psychological Barriers There are various mental and psychological issues that may be barriers to effective communication. Some people have stage fear, speech disorders, phobia, depression etc. All of these conditions are very difficult to manage sometimes and will most certainly limit the ease of communication. Emotional Barriers The emotional IQ of a person determines the ease and comfort with which they can communicate. A person who is emotionally mature will be able to communicate effectively. On the other hand, people who let their emotions take over will face certain difficulties. A perfect mixture of emotions and facts is necessary for effective communication. Emotions like anger, frustration, humour, can blur the decision-making capacities of a person and thus limit the effectiveness of their communication. Physical Barriers to Communication They are the most obvious barriers to effective communication. These barriers are mostly easily removable in principle at least. They include barriers like noise, closed doors, faulty equipment used for communication, closed cabins, etc. Sometimes, in a large office, the physical separation between various employees combined with faulty equipment may result in severe barriers to effective communication. Cultural Barriers of Communication As the world is getting more and more globalized, any large office may have people from several parts of the world. Different cultures have a different meanings for several basic values of society. Dressing, Religions or lack of them, food, drinks, pets, and general behaviour will change drastically from one culture to another. Hence it is a must that we must take these different cultures into account while communication. This is what we call being culturally appropriate. In many multinational companies, special courses are offered at the orientation stages that let people know about other cultures and how to be courteous and tolerant of others. Organisational Structure Barriers As we saw there are many methods of communication at an organizational level. Each of these methods has its own problems and constraints that may become barriers to effective communication. Most of these barriers arise because of misinformation or lack of appropriate transparency available to the employees. Attitude Barriers Certain people like to be left alone. They are introverts or just people who are not very social. Others like to be social or sometimes extra clingy! Both these cases could become a barrier to communication. Some people have attitude issues, like huge ego and inconsiderate behaviours. These employees can cause severe strains in the communication channels that they are present in. Certain personality traits like shyness, anger, and social anxiety may be removable through courses and proper training. However, problems like egocentric behavior and selfishness may not be correctable. Perception Barriers Different people perceive the same things differently. This is a fact which we must consider during the communication process. Knowledge of the perception levels of the audience is crucial to effective communication. All the messages or communique must be easy and clear. There shouldn’t be any room for a diversified interpretational set. Physiological Barriers Certain disorders or diseases or other limitations could also prevent effective communication between the various channels of an organization. The shrillness of voice, dyslexia, etc are some examples of physiological barriers to effective communication. However, these are not crucial because they can easily be compensated and removed. Technological Barriers & Socio-religious Barriers Other barriers include technological barriers. Technology is developing fast and as a result, it becomes difficult to keep up with the newest developments. Hence sometimes technological advances may become a barrier. In addition to this, the cost of technology is sometimes very high. Most organizations will not be able to afford a decent tech for the purpose of communication. Hence, this becomes a very crucial barrier. Other barriers are socio-religious barriers. In a patriarchal society, a woman or a transgender may face many difficulties and barriers while communicating. 1.7 ROLE OF CREATIVE & CRITICAL THINKING IN COMMUNICATION The ability to analyze arguments, evaluate evidence, and distinguish between fact and opinion is a valuable skill. As a result, critical thinking is a highly sought-after ability that can benefit you at work and in your personal life. But what is critical thinking? And how do you think critically? We explore some of the key concepts behind critical thinking, examine some examples, and outline how you can improve your own skills in this area. We’ll also highlight some useful courses and resources that can help you think critically. What is critical thinking? Let’s start things off with a critical thinking definition. Depending on where you look, you might find differences between definitions. First, we’ll rely on a simple definition: critical thinking is the analysis of factual evidence to form a judgment. However, a closer inspection of the term and its meaning shows that there are many aspects to critical thinking. What’s more, studies have highlighted a broad range of definitions. A thorough way of defining critical thinking is made by the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. They summarise the core concepts of critical thinking as the process of ‘careful goal-directed thinking.’ We can also turn to our open step on critical thinking at university, which features this definition: “Good critical thinking includes recognizing good arguments even when we disagree with them, and poor arguments even when these support our own point of view.” The open step goes on to outline some of the critical thinking processes that tie into the definitions we’ve seen. These critical thinking skills include: Analysing and weighing up arguments Evaluating evidence that has been presented Distinguishing between fact and opinion Reviewing the research methods used (how the data has been gathered)  Considering the potential for bias Analysing different interpretations, viewpoints, and perspectives Reaching at conclusions based on your own reasoning. As you can see, the characteristics of critical thinking are numerous, and it’s a skill made up of many other abilities. Thinking critically and creatively Creative thinking is often contrasted with critical thinking. However, the two certainly have their overlaps. Thinking creatively often requires exploring new possibilities, finding unique angles, and using unconventional solutions. Critical thinking is more focused on a logical and rational process of evaluating that which exists already. However, both types of thinking can be used to solve problems and make decisions, and a combination of the two is often helpful. Why is critical thinking important? So, in essence, critical thinking is about thinking in certain ways to make informed judgments. But why is this such a valuable skill? In a world where we’re provided with an almost constant stream of information and decisions to make, the ability to think critically can help us make the right choices and understand the world around us. As highlighted in our course on logical and critical thinking, assessing the reasons we are given to do or believe things calls upon us to think critically and logically. We are constantly being told to believe things, such as to buy a product, support a cause, accept a job or judge someone innocent or guilty, and so on. Critical thinking helps us choose whether to believe these things. Whether you’re working or in education, critical thinking is a desirable soft skill. The benefits of critical thinking are that it can help you: Question assumptions Make better decisions Exercise curiosity Create compelling arguments Reflect on yourself and your life. What’s more, critical thinking and problem-solving often go hand-in-hand. Employers are always looking for people who possess both skills. Critical thinking examples Examples of critical thinking are all around us. On a daily basis, we process information to determine its validity and whether we believe what’s being told to us. However, it’s useful to see the process of critical thinking in action. In our open step on good and bad arguments, there are several such examples of critical reasoning. These examples follow a particular set of steps to evaluate whether or not an argument is valid and/or sound. This includes: Drawing a conclusion from the evidence Assessing whether the argument is deductive (has an absolute conclusion) or non-deductive (has a plausible, but not absolute, conclusion). Deciding whether the argument is valid (deciding if the premises are true, does that mean we must accept the conclusion). Exploring whether the argument is sound (deciding whether the premises are true). This process can seem quite complex, but many of us do it without thinking. There are other practical examples of critical thinking we can highlight as well, for example: Choosing whether a piece of research for an assignment is accurate, valid, from a reliable source, and supports your argument. Deciding which skills and experience are most relevant to a job application or interview. Creating a plan of action to achieve a goal based on a range of factors and variables. Obstacles to thinking critically So, critical thinking is a valuable skill and one that many of us practice on a daily basis. However, that doesn’t mean it’s something that we do all of the time. There are some common psychological obstacles and reasoning fallacies that trip even the smartest among us up. According to our open step on critical and logical thinking, some of the most common obstacles to thinking critically include: Confirmation bias. This phenomenon is when we tend to only consider what we have already experienced before, confirming what we already know. Heuristics. These are the mental shortcuts we use to simplify decision-making. Examples include things like the ‘rule of thumb’ or an ‘educated guess’. Framing. The framing effect can make us respond differently to identical circumstances by changing the framing of those circumstances. For example, the focus of our attention might be drawn to different aspects of the situation.  Common fallacies. There are some common ways that people use reasoning that is not logical or critical. For example, someone might distort an opponent’s arguments or views and then attack the weakened version rather than the real argument (a strawman fallacy). How to think critically If you want to try and avoid some of the common obstacles to critical thinking, there are several methods you can use in developing critical thinking skills. Below, we’ve outlined some of the steps you can take to analyze arguments, evaluate evidence, and distinguish between fact and opinion. Although the critical thinking process will differ between individuals, there are some useful steps: 1. Identify the issue. When faced with a situation or problem, determine what has caused it. 2. Analyse the arguments. There will usually be several sides to an argument, so it’s important to understand who is saying what and how valid each position is. 3. Discover the facts. It’s essential to separate the facts from the opinions and assess how accurately the evidence is presented. 4. Challenge your biases. Ask yourself whether or not you’re making assumptions, why you believe a certain point, and whether you’re letting confirmation bias, heuristics, framing, or common fallacies impact your thinking. 5. Decide on significance. It’s likely that each side of an argument will have supporting evidence. Deciding which information is most important, deductive, valid, and has a sound premise will help make a decision about the significance of each. 6. Draw conclusions. The various steps above will lead you to decide which option or argument (if any) is the most accurate. You can also weigh up the strengths and weaknesses of all options. How to improve critical thinking skills The steps above seem simple enough, yet with the various obstacles and emotions involved in decision-making, it can sometimes be hard to let your head rule above your heart. So how can you improve your critical thinking skills? There are several ways that you can achieve the benefits of critical thinking, including: Use scrutiny It requires little effort to accept things at face value and believe what you’re being told. However, doing so is not particularly helpful for critical thinking. Instead, you should question what’s in front of you, ask what the motivations are, and how accurate the information is. Eliminate the less useful and unreliable information It can be difficult to make effective decisions or draw informed conclusions when you’re surrounded by inaccurate information. Using your critical eye and scepticism, you can start to discount the bad arguments and biased claims. Use reliable sources When you’re researching a topic to make an informed decision, always pay attention to the source. Look at evidence-based information from reliable outlets and be careful of how statistics are presented to you. Try and explore past the surface-level claims of studies to find out what they’re actually telling you, and whether there is enough of a sample size to make a conclusion. Listen actively Active listening is a technique that ensures the listener concentrates, understands, responds to, and remembers what’s being said. It’s also about observing behavior and body language. This type of active listening can help you fully understand what’s being said and why, and what the pros and cons of the argument are. Use empathy Being able to put yourself in the shoes of another person allows you to understand their point of view, motivations, and aspirations. In doing so, you’re better able to appreciate why they hold a particular belief or think in a certain way. Final thoughts So, critical thinking is a valuable skill that can help us make better decisions and judgements. However, all of us must overcome some thought obstacles to be able to think critically and creatively. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways in which we can do so, as outlined in this post. If you’re interested in learning more about critical thinking, our logical and critical thinking course is a great place to start. You’ll learn more about how to think more critically and construct and evaluate arguments.