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Evaluating Thinking Aptitude

Brought to you by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Are you a good thinker - or a poor one? Take a look at the general traits associated with each category and assess yourself. (Remember, a good thinker is willing to be critical about herself!)

The Good Thinker

• Welcomes problematic situations and is tolerant of ambiguity.
• Is sufficiently self-critical; looks for alternate possibilities and goals; seeks evidence on both sides.
• Is reflective and deliberate; searches extensively when appropriate.
• Believes in the value of rationality and that thinking can be effective.

The Poor Thinker

• Searches for certainty and is intolerant of ambiguity.
• Is not self-critical and is satisfied with first attempts.
• Is impulsive, gives up prematurely, and is overconfident of the correctness of initial ideas.
• Overvalues intuition, denigrates rationality; believes that thinking won't help.

Source: Developing Minds Volume 1: A Resource Book for Teaching Thinking, edited by Arthur L. Costa. Alexandria, VA: ASCD. 1991