Effect of Critical Thinking on Cognitive Enhancement

Gurpreet Kaur; Soumi Awasthy; Usama Ghayas Syed

doi:10.14429/dlsj.4.13201

Gurpreet Kaur DRDO- Defence Institute of Psychological Research, Delhi-110054, India
Soumi Awasthy DRDO- Defence Institute of Psychological Research, Delhi-110054, India
Usama Ghayas Syed Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur - 208 016, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dlsj.4.13201

Keywords: Critical thinking; Cognitive enhancement; Training module

Abstract

Cognitive abilities refer to brain based skills that are required to carry out any task ranging from the simplest to the most complex. Since these skills play a significant role in our day to day activities, efforts are being made by researchers for their further enhancement. The objective of the present study was to investigate if these abilities can be enhanced through a training module on critical thinking. Critical thinking involves something more than cognitive skills. Critical thinking is not static but a constantly evolving process and even more crucial in a military environment. This study consists of certain activities which are designed in such a manner that the solution of it can be generated through critical thinking. These activities were administered on 36 participants (20 male, 16 female). Each Participant’s baseline cognitive performance was assessed after which training was given to them in the form of different critical thinking activities followed by post assessment of cognitive abilities. Paired sample t - test was used which showed that There was a significant difference in the cognitive performance post critical thinking activities.

Author Biographies

Gurpreet Kaur, DRDO- Defence Institute of Psychological Research, Delhi-110054, India

Dr Gurpreet Kaur received her PhD (Emotional Intelligence), in 2005. Presently working as Scientist at DRDO-Defence Institute of Psychological Research, Delhi. She is working in the area Intelligence, emotional intelligence and cognition. Her area of specialization is psychometric assessment.

Soumi Awasthy, DRDO- Defence Institute of Psychological Research, Delhi-110054, India

Dr Soumi Awasthy is working as Scientist ‘F’ and Head, Intelligence and Aptitude Division at DRDO-Defence Institute of Psychological Research, Delhi. Her area of specialization is psychometrics. She is actively involved in the area of research related to personnel selection and placement. She is also the recipient of many DRDO awards like technology group awards.

Usama Ghayas Syed, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur - 208 016, India

Mr Usama Ghayas Syed has obtained Post Graduation in Psychology and currently pursuing his PhD at Indian institute of Technology, Kanpur. His research interest lies in positive psychology, positive organizational behavior and psychology of success. Presently he is working on strength based parenting and its outcome on adolescents’ academic success and well-being as part of thesis credit.