Examples Of Peer Pressure In Critical Thinking

Critical thinking occurs when a person is able to rationally and clearly communicate an argument as well as process the information or situations happening around them. Being able to think through a problem rationally makes the solution easier to find. When it comes to arguments or essays, clearly communicating the point without contradiction is a key component in critical thinking. But there are barriers when it comes to thinking critically. Denis Korn, founder of Learn to Prepare and former professor of critical thinking and ethics, gives his observations to these barriers. Pride, peer pressure, stereotyping, apathy, cultural-centered thinking, self-centered thinking, fear, ignorance, denial, lack of discernment and blaming others …show more content…
As a teenager, the desire to fit in is heavily present and most of the time, that desire clouds thinking critically about situations. The source of peer pressure comes from a longstanding social norm to be like others and do what the crowd does. When the barrier of peer pressure is present, being able to think through situations is hindered. As people grow up, peer pressure comes in a different form. It is not so much to follow the crowd but to make our way to the top, especially in jobs. A recent example in my personal life of peer pressure clouding critically thinking stems from an upcoming trip to New Zealand. The people I am going with want to see The Hobbit movie set, and at first I went along with it. I am not a huge fan of the series, and at first, I gave into the pressure of not wanting not miss out on an experience. As I was able to think on my own, my decision to not go to the tour was made. This barrier was altered by taking time away from others who were pressuring me to do the same …show more content…
There is nothing wrong with being proud of what is achieved, but there are many times when being right in an argument becomes a pride issue. The need to always be right, even when a person is wrong in their argument, makes thinking critically impossible. While the need to be right does exist in my life, a need to be the best does also. I would consider this pride, and there are many times when a situation arises that I am unable to think critically about a situation because my best is not always correct. Contradictions occur within an argument and make the point being made invalid. In order to become a better critical thinker when it comes to the barrier of pride, knowing all the facts of the argument or situation before making my case is a way to alter this