HOW DO EMOTIONS POSITIVELY AND NEGATIVELY INFLUENCE CRITICAL THINKING?
As a survival instinct, the human brain is biologically wired to give priority to emotions. Emotions such as fear and terror caused by dangerous triggers such as the sight of a wild animal can induce fight or flight responses are generated. In such a situation, the fear and terror emotions can positively influence an individual and naturally trigger the individual to think about saving their life either by fighting or flight. Safety, therefore, evaluate possible options. Alternatively, emotions can be barriers to critical thinking. If the emotions are too intense, the individual can enter into an emotional hijack where all critical reasoning opportunities are lost. In such, the emotions may lead to an involuntary human freeze response where the body enters into a temporary passivity.
DESCRIBE HOW YOU BALANCE YOUR EMOTION AND REASON WHEN MAKING DECISIONS. INCLUDE AN EXAMPLE OF WHEN YOU HAD TO USE BOTH.
When encountering challenges, emotions such as fear can be a barrier and limit an individual from critiquing. During my 16th birthday, I decided to invite my biological mother along with my friends. Everyone arrived on time, everything went as planned. I was happy, everyone was happy! Few hours into the party, I realized my mistake! A scuffle ensued between my mother and my stepmother. I ended up getting a brisk smack from my mother while trying to stop them. I choose to be objective and remain calm. I didn’t want to spoil my happiness, I wanted the party to continue. We managed to calm down both my mother and my stepmother after everyone’s intervention. Though ashamed, she apologized to everyone for the chaos. The party went on till 11:00 pm. It was memorable! After the situation, I learned that the only way to balance emotions is to forgo the short term consequences or benefits and consider the long term.
EXPLAIN THE ROLE OF COMMUNICATION IN CRITICAL THINKING AND PROVIDE AN EXAMPLE OF A TIME WHEN AND HOW LANGUAGE OR COMMUNICATION INFLUENCED YOUR CRITICAL THINKING
Communication allows us to transmit information and receive critical feedback to make objective reasoning. When discussing the issue of racism and economic disparities in the country with my friends, I narrated a story about African Americans who fought in World War II. Thousands of Black World War II veterans were denied access to the benefits provided in the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 that was aimed at helping veterans in assimilating to the civilian population. Those who tried fighting for the funds were targeted, subjected to terror including extrajudicial murders and assault. Some of my friends who did not know of this have changed their mindset after continuously sharing information on perpetual injustices. Contrary to my assumptions about my deduction, some people genuinely have no idea of the extent of the problem. Communication can provide fundamental perspectives when dealing with an issue objectively.