As individuals, it is vital that we are able to think critically, question assumptions and make well-informed decisions.
When these abilities are lacking, it can lead to mistaken beliefs, poor choices, and even manipulation by others.
A lack of critical thinking skills is not always obvious. In fact, it can appear in subtle ways that can be easily overlooked until the consequences become apparent.
To help you identify when someone may be lacking this important skill, I’ve compiled a list of seven subtle signs to look out for, all based on psychological research.
Let’s dive in!
1) They jump to conclusions
Jumping to conclusions is not always as dramatic as it seems.
It is often a subtle and gradual process that occurs without the person even realizing it.
This is when someone makes a decision or forms an opinion without having all the facts.
They may hear a piece of information and immediately accept it as truth without questioning its source or considering other possibilities.
Maybe they read a headline on social media and share the news without reading the full article.
Or maybe they’re meeting someone for the first time and form a quick opinion based on their appearance or one interaction.
In some cases, they may make a significant decision based on a hunch or gut feeling without taking the time to gather additional information or consider the potential consequences.
According to psychology, this is actually a cognitive distortion and often leads to misunderstanding, miscommunication and poor decision making.
It is one of the main signs that a person may lack critical thinking skills.
2) They struggle with perspective
Accepting another’s point of view is more than just a social good. it is a significant part of critical thinking.
Consider this. someone who is consistently unable to see things from any perspective other than their own.
They may not think with the idea that there can be many valid points of view on an issue.
Or, they may dismiss the opinions of others as irrelevant or wrong without giving them due consideration.
In the workplace, this can be like a colleague who insists that his way of doing things is the only effective method, despite evidence to the contrary.
In friendship, it can be the friend who never takes your advice or considers your experiences as unimportant compared to theirs.
Lack of perspective can limit their ability to understand complex issues, appreciate diversity, and make balanced judgments.
3) They are confident in their rightness
In a world full of complexities and uncertainties, it is difficult to always be right.
However, some people adamantly believe they are true, even in the face of conflicting evidence.
At first glance, this may seem like a sign of confidence or conviction.
But if you dig deeper, you’ll see that it can indicate a lack of critical thinking.
Psychologists call this the “reversal effect.” It’s when someone becomes even more convinced of their beliefs after being presented with facts that contradict them.
Instead of adjusting their point of view, they double down.
Why? Because admitting they were wrong feels uncomfortable. It threatens their ego and sense of self.
On the other hand, people with strong critical thinking skills know that being wrong is just part of the learning process.
They are not afraid to say, “I didn’t think so” or “I could be wrong.”
But people who believe they are always right miss the opportunity to grow, learn, and see the world through a wider lens.
4) They struggle with self-reflection
Self-reflection can be a difficult task that requires us to confront our own flaws and insecurities.
However, it is an important part of critical thinking.
As entrepreneur Swati Deepak Kumar writes, “Critical reflective thinking involves thoughtfully and introspectively examining our thoughts, actions, and experiences. It goes beyond superficial analysis and encourages us to question assumptions, consider multiple perspectives, and challenge our own.” beliefs and biases.”
Without this step, it is almost impossible to grow as a thinker. After all, if you are not willing to question yourself, how can you expect to question the world around you?
Imagine someone who rarely stops to think about their choices or actions. When things go wrong, they point fingers instead of looking for their role in the outcome.
This lack of insight keeps them stuck in the same cycles, repeating the same mistakes over and over again.
People with strong critical thinking skills do the opposite: they stop, think, and ask. “What could I have done differently?”
Self-reflection is not about blaming yourself. it’s about self-awareness, and growth becomes almost impossible without it.
5) They follow the crowd
We’ve all been there, at that crossroads where it’s easier to go along with what everyone else is doing or thinking.
After all, fitting in is a basic human instinct.
But when someone consistently follows the crowd without questioning why or how, it’s a sign that they may lack critical thinking skills.
This phenomenon is known as “groupthink” and it occurs when people prefer harmony to independent thought. Instead of analyzing situations for themselves, they go along with the opinion of the majority, even if it is flawed.
Why? Because challenging the group is risky, it’s better to blend in than stand out.
You’ve probably seen this in practice, perhaps at work, where everyone agrees with the boss, even if the idea has obvious flaws.
Or in a social environment where people follow trends they don’t even like, just to avoid being “different”.
In contrast, critical thinkers are not afraid to be alone.
They ask questions, look for evidence, and challenge the status quo when it doesn’t make sense.
They are not influenced by popularity either. They rely on logic and logic rather than herd mentality.
Following the crowd may feel safe, but it rarely leads to exceptional results.
6) They often fall for bananas in the tailgate
We all love a good laugh, and there’s no harm in falling for a harmless joke or joke. It’s part of what makes life fun.
But if it happens all the time? Could be a critical thinking problem.
People who consistently fall for deception, manipulation, or obvious tricks are missing that extra step of questioning what’s in front of them.
It’s about not recognizing patterns, questioning motives, or not recognizing red flags.
People with strong instincts for critical thinking ask: “Does this make sense?” before jumping to conclusions.
They stop, analyze and look for hidden details that can change the whole picture.
On the other hand, people who fall into “banana tail” situations often act on impulse, too easily trusting or assuming that everything is as it seems.
Maybe they’re the ones always sending out those chain emails promising success, or they can’t resist clicking on every sensational headline they come across.
Or maybe they always fall for what that friend tells them, despite the obvious inconsistencies.
Critical thinking involves a healthy dose of skepticism and the ability to distinguish fact from fiction.
So if you know someone who always gets caught by the old banana in the tailgate, it might be a sign that they need to flex their critical thinking muscles a little more.
7) They lack curiosity
If there’s one thing to remember, it’s this: critical thinking and curiosity go hand in hand.
Think of someone who rarely questions the world around them.
They accept things as they are without thinking why or how.
Whether it’s an interesting news article or a puzzling situation, they show little interest in digging deeper.
This lack of interest can be a telling sign of limited critical thinking skills.
After all, asking questions is at the heart of critical thinking.
It’s what drives us to explore different perspectives, challenge assumptions, and seek deeper understanding.
So if you want to spot a true critical thinker, look for the person who is always asking “why?” or “how?”
Their curiosity is their strength.
Wrapping
So you’ve identified someone who may lack critical thinking skills, now what?
First, it’s important to remember that we all have our strengths and weaknesses.
Recognizing these signs isn’t about blaming or labeling people, it’s about understanding ourselves and each other better.
It can be tempting to try and “fix” the person who lacks these skills, but remember that change must come from within.
Instead, try to engage them in thoughtful conversations, expose them to different perspectives, or simply be a role model for critical thinking.
Finally, remember that this article is not intended to diagnose anyone’s cognitive abilities.
It is intended as a guide to better understand the nuances of critical thinking and how a lack of it can manifest in subtle ways.
If you have identified some of these signs in someone you know, or even in yourself, know that it is never too late to develop our thinking skills.
Ultimately, our goal should be not just to gather information, but to truly understand it—to question it, analyze it, and make well-informed judgments.
That is the heart of critical thinking.