Developing Critical Discussion Skills
Some Diversities of Thinkers
(based on Myers-Briggs as explored by John C. Bean Engaging Ideas (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1996), 161-163.
Extroverts: |
- think through ideas/issues by discussing it with others
- typically vocal & may shift/redevelop perspectives/arguments throughout discussion
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Introverts: |
- think through ideas/issues privately
- typically listen & are not comfortable with participating in group discussion until own perspective developed
- thought process valuable & they should be gently encouraged to discuss ideas
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Perceivers: |
- want to talk through all possible perspectives and resist early closure
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Judgers: |
- reach decisions rapidly and can be impatient if feels that others are "talking an issue to death"
- may interpret discussion as indecision rather than cautious reflection
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Gender Socialization in the West
Men |
- generally socialized to making decisions based on abstract rigorous application of principles
- studies reveal they typically take more time/space in discussion than women
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Women |
- generally socialized to be more concerned with interpersonal dimensions of decisions
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Cultural Dimensions/Diversity
People educated primarily in Western cultures, particularly North American cultures, often state their points/ideas/desires in ways that are considered rude and/or problematic in other cultures (e.g., bluntness may be considered rude in some cultures, pointing may be considered rude in some cultures)
Some Problematic Responses To Consider
Egothink |
- when members of a class express their won opinions loudly and inflexibly with no attempt to take the ideas to another point/level of understanding
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Clonethink |
- when members of a class agree with the first view expressed with no attempt to discuss/explore it and see if it can be taken further
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Some Helpful Points About Responses
Active Listening |
- listen – to hear – the complete issue/point before expressing disagreement
- ask yourself
- can I accurately summarize the argument/point?
- is there some aspect of this perspective that is outside of my experience and might that be a crucial element in understanding the complexities of this position?
- what do I need in order to clarify my understanding?
- don't hesitate to raise questions to assist you in clarifying the issue/point before raising points that elaborate it, shift it, or express disagreement with it
- once you understand the point, jump into the discussion and share your perspective!
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Disagreement / Conflicting Ideas
Remember, disagreement is positive and creative provided it does not include hurtful and oppressive dynamics/behaviours. The key, if possible, is to move to a synthesis of ideas that both address the conflicting positions and creates something deeper and more acountable to the original task/question, not to compromise to some point that is ineffective and unaccountable to it.
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