Critical Thinking For Psychology
A Student Guide

Critical thinking is taught at all universities, often put forward by lecturers as the key skill that can most dramatically improve a student's understanding of a course and transform their writing. It pervades research methods teaching, critical psychology, and a range of other core curriculum elements, in exactly the same way that critical thinking pervades any discipline, and indeed, life generally. But what is it, exactly, and how can we apply it specifically to the field of psychology? In his relaxed and accessible style, Mark Forshaw takes modern real-world examples from psychology and everyday life to lighten the learning of critical thinking, explaining what it entails, why it is important, and how it can be applied to this fascinating field of study.

Preface xiii

Acknowledgements xv

1. Getting Started on Critical Thinking 1

2. Logic and the Philosophy of Critical Thinking 5

3. Critical Thinking in the Wider World 19

4. Critical Thinking Inside Psychology 45

5. Putting Critical Thinking to Use: Getting Good Grades 87

6. Getting Fit for Critical Thinking 109

Concluding Remarks 119

Exercises in Critical Thinking 121

Checklist for Critical Thinking 123

Glossary 127

References 131

Further Reading 133

Index 135