Critical Thinking, Decision-

making and Problem-

solving Skills Development
Presented by: Ms. Amparo Rose
R. Gallardo
GOAL
• Is a purpose toward which
an endeavor or effort is
directed.
• An object which the
individual wants to achieve.
• It is like a dream but with a
deadline
Goal setting is an important method of:
• Deciding what is important
for you to achieve.
• Separating what is important
from what is irrelevant
• Motivating yourself to achieve.

• Building your self-confidence

based on measured
achievement of goals.
Goals should be SMART
• S –specific - One must be very clear
what exactly s/he wants to accomplish
• M-measurable - Set ways of keeping
track of your progress from start to
finish
• A-achievable - It must be challenging,
but realistic
• R-relevant - Goal must be in harmony
with one’s core values and life purpose
• T- timely - It must have a deadline
attached to it
Critical thinking as a life skill...
• It allows information received
to be analyzed and evaluated
in an objective manner
• It forms a process of reflecting
upon the meaning of
statements, examining the
offered evidence and reasoning
• The process involves acquiring
information and evaluating it
to reach a well-justified
conclusion or answer
Problem solving is....
• The active process of trying
to transform the initial
state of the problem into
the desired one by
overcoming obstacles
obstructing the path to a
solution
• As a life skill, it is the ability
to develop solutions to
internal and interpersonal
problems and conflict
Benefits gain from developing good
problem-solving skills are:
• It prevents interpersonal conflicts
produced by dysfunctional modes of
reaching decisions or problem-solving

• It increases confidence, self-efficacy,

and self-esteem by acquiring a mode of
problem solving that can be employed
in future problematic situations

• It generates a wider range of options

for coping, thereby enhancing chances
for selecting maximally effective
decisions or solutions
Some Decision- Making Do’s and Don’ts
• Be honest in identifying the
problems, setting goals and
priorities, evaluating information,
etc.
• Accept the responsibility for making
decisions in your life
• Use time wisely when you make
decisions. Take as much time as
possible in evaluating the situation
and in considering options
• Have confidence in your ability to
make good decisions-and to learn
from mistakes
DON’T..
• Set unrealistic expectations for
yourself
• Make a “snap "or hasty decisions
unless absolutely necessary. Follow
the steps to good decision making
• Fool yourself by choosing solutions
that are easy and comfortable –but
fail to address the problem
• Take unnecessary actions when the
best course of action is to do
nothing. But don’t delay just to
avoid making a tough or unpleasant
action
Activity 1A. Goal Getting
• Objectives
1. determine how much intention is needed to achieve one’s goal
2. understand that in order to achieve one’s goal, he/she needs to devise the
means
• Duration – 30 minutes
• Materials – a big space; dance lively music to be played during the activity
• Procedure
1.Prepare opposite sides of the room. Point A is the origin where all participants
will start while Point B will serve as the goal area. From Point A every
participant should go to Point B in a unique way without imitating any
participant that has gone before them.
2.Everybody will clap their hands / create a cheer for every participant that
reaches their goal (Point B) in an original manner. If a participant imitates
somebody, everybody will disapprove by booing and doing a thumbs-down
action.
Processing

 How did you feel the moment you reached Point B?

 What made achieving the goal easy/difficult for you?
 How did you feel when you hear others cheering for
you?
 What did you learn from this simple activity and how
can you relate this to real life situations?