BARRIERS TO

CRITICAL
THINKING
 01 Narrow-mindedness
BARRIER 02 Resistance
S
03 Rationalization
and doublethink
04 Stress
 01 Narrow-mindedness
BARRIER 02 Resistance
S
03 Rationalization
and doublethink
04 Stress
01
Narrow-mindedness
• referred to as “tunnel vision”

• having a rigid and one-sided view of an

issue or a situation
Concepts of Narrow-Mindedness

• Information is regarded as
either right or wrong
• Have the tendency to look
Absolutism up to authorities as the
ultimate guide

• Do not question people in

authority
Concepts of Narrow-Mindedness
• Viewed as a loss of authority
or control over a situation

• Not willing to accept new ideas

Fear of or concepts
Challenge
• Resist information or evidence
that contradict their perceptions
and beliefs
Concepts of Narrow-Mindedness

• Selfishness

• The self is the center and no

Egocentrism one or nothing else is important

• Other views or opinions are

disregarded
Concepts of Narrow-Mindedness

• Belief in the supremacy of one’s

own community or culture

• Not well informed on world

Ethnocentrism views or foreign traditions and
culture

• Not open to other cultural

beliefs or traditions
Concepts of Narrow-Mindedness

• Human beings are viewed as the

most important aspect in the
universe

Anthropocentrism
• Humans are apart from other
creations such as plants and
animals as they have special
abilities
 01 Narrow-mindedness
BARRIER 02 Resistance
S
03 Rationalization
and doublethink
04 Stress
02
Resistance
• the act of opposing changes

• refusal to accept transformation or

variations
Forms of Resistance

• Refusal to accept the truth

or facts, despite evidence
Denial that contradicts common
beliefs
Forms of Resistance

• To avoid problematic
people or situations,
Avoidance especially those that
contradict one’s belief and
opinions
Forms of Resistance
• The most dangerous of all forms of
resistance
• Happens especially when views or
opinions are opposed or when
Anger unacceptable changes occur

• To be noted: Some forms of anger

can be morally justified. This
cannot be categorized as resistance.
Forms of Resistance

• To intentionally avoid seeking

information

Ignorance
• Usually used to evade
confrontations or situations that
require immediate action
Forms of Resistance

• To conform to a situation in order to

be socially accepted

Conformity
• To agree and follow convention,
even if it opposes personal
opinions or viewpoints
Forms of Resistance

• To resist facing reality or the

Distractions actual situation by creating
distractions, such as using loud
music, meeting with friends or
resorting to alcohol
 01 Narrow-mindedness
BARRIER 02 Resistance
S
03 Rationalization
and doublethink
04 Stress
03
Rationalization and doublethink
• an attempt to justify actions

• involves keeping in mind and

expressing two viewpoints that
contradict each other
03
Rationalization and doublethink
• Individuals holding two viewpoints
usually posses double standards and
believe that both viewpoints are true
Example of Rationalization and
Doublethink

• A sales promoter who convinces himself and his

customers that a product he is selling for his
company is the best. However, he personally
prefers a competitor’s product.

• Debate
 01 Narrow-mindedness
BARRIER 02 Resistance
S
03 Rationalization
and doublethink
04 Stress
04
Stress
• a major obstacle to thinking critically

• decisions made when in stress may not

be the best