Thinking - an Interdisciplinary Approach to Critical & Creative Thought

From the reading noted above, identify a barrier you are currently experiencing and define it in your own words (at least 25 words). Be sure to include citations since you learned about this information from the text.

One barrier that I am currently experiencing is stress. Stress has been an issue I’ve been dealing with for a few years already. Stress is the biggest barrier that is affecting my critical thinking. It’s when I’m weary of considerations, And life is too much like a pathless wood…I’d like to get away from earth awhile—ROBERT FROST, “BIRCHES”

How does this barrier hinder your ability to think critically (at least 50 words)?

I work full time, I’m currently taking online classes and I have 2 kids. My son is in kindergarten so I also help him with his homework every day. Because of stress I don’t concentrate as often as I did before, I feel like my memory has gone bad and I am always panicking that I don’t get things done on time. I also feel that I get angry and frustrated quite easily. And this is all due to stress.

What are some specific strategies you can use to overcome this barrier (at least 50 words)?

Some specific strategies that I can use to overcome this barrier is staying more organized and planning ahead of time. Maybe if I have set times for specific activities then I won’t feel under stress so much. I can get 3 different calendars to keep me on track and have my plans all organized. I can have a wall calendar for work related things, a desk calendar for everyday things and a calendar on my phone for personal matters.

From the reading noted above, identify a barrier you are currently experiencing and define it in your own words (at least 25 words). Be sure to include citations since you learned about this information from the text.

The second barrier that I am currently experiencing is depression. I just got laid off from work and this just caused a major depression to me. I feel like the world has collapsed on me. Although we can find research supporting both hypotheses, the conclusion from a longitudinal study on this topic, using a sample of 998 people, is that “people change their expectancies and subscribe to irrational beliefs as a result of being depressed,” and not the other way around (Lewinsohn et al., 1981).

How does this barrier hinder your ability to think critically (at least 50 words)?

This barrier hinders my ability to think critically in so many different ways. After waiting almost year to get a job at The Housing Authority, I got hired to a temporary position and four months later I got laid off. I felt like my heart shattered because my family was having financial hardship and getting laid off in this tough time really got me depressed. I felt like my mind could not function normal. I was always sad, not in the mood to do anything and I felt like I couldn’t even think straight.

What are some specific strategies you can use to overcome this barrier (at least 50 words)?

Some specific strategies that I can use to overcome this barrier are concentrating on my school. I know that if I study hard then I will get to graduate, get my bachelor’s and have a better job than the previous jobs I’ve had. Also, I can start applying to other places that are hiring. I think I should also spend more time with my family. That is the most important thing for me. For me, money cannot buy happiness, so as long as I have a loving family, then my job should be secondary and my family should be my number one priority. I should put all the depressing things aside and be happy with my loving husband and wonderful children.