Critical Thinking about Workplace Problems: An Essential Skill for Students
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
12-4-2022 10:00 AM
End Date
12-4-2022 11:30 AM
Student's Major
Psychology
Student's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Mentor's Name
Emily Stark
Mentor's Department
Psychology
Mentor's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Description
Critical thinking (CT) is a widely applicable skill and a desired asset by employers for college undergraduate students within any major. Education is thought to improve CT skills, a belief supported by numerous studies. However, these studies have largely focused on traditional academic definitions of CT as opposed to how CT skills relate to solving workplace-focused problems. Identifying the CT skills relevant to problem-solving in the workplace is crucial for preparing students for post-graduate success. This current study asks how the factors of personality and workplace experience relate to the ability to think critically and problem-solve in day-to-day workplace scenarios. The research in this study will provide insight into how real-world experience and personality may influence CT in a day-to-day workplace setting. Study participants are 130 undergraduate students at Minnesota State University, Mankato. They were given packets containing twelve workplace conflict scenarios and asked, “what issues, if any, are there in this situation?” These scenarios compel participants to use their CT, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills. After these scenarios, participants complete demographic questions and several personality scales. All authors on this project have worked to code the responses to the scenarios to examine whether participants can use their CT skills to successfully identify the problems in each scenario, and how this ability relates to their personality traits, level of work experience, and demographic qualities. Identifying whether past experiences or characteristics relate to ability to think critically in the workplace can help us better understand how to effectively prepare people to be successful in their careers.
Critical Thinking about Workplace Problems: An Essential Skill for Students
CSU Ballroom
Critical thinking (CT) is a widely applicable skill and a desired asset by employers for college undergraduate students within any major. Education is thought to improve CT skills, a belief supported by numerous studies. However, these studies have largely focused on traditional academic definitions of CT as opposed to how CT skills relate to solving workplace-focused problems. Identifying the CT skills relevant to problem-solving in the workplace is crucial for preparing students for post-graduate success. This current study asks how the factors of personality and workplace experience relate to the ability to think critically and problem-solve in day-to-day workplace scenarios. The research in this study will provide insight into how real-world experience and personality may influence CT in a day-to-day workplace setting. Study participants are 130 undergraduate students at Minnesota State University, Mankato. They were given packets containing twelve workplace conflict scenarios and asked, “what issues, if any, are there in this situation?” These scenarios compel participants to use their CT, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills. After these scenarios, participants complete demographic questions and several personality scales. All authors on this project have worked to code the responses to the scenarios to examine whether participants can use their CT skills to successfully identify the problems in each scenario, and how this ability relates to their personality traits, level of work experience, and demographic qualities. Identifying whether past experiences or characteristics relate to ability to think critically in the workplace can help us better understand how to effectively prepare people to be successful in their careers.
Recommended Citation
Kessler, William; Emory Landis; Andrew McCarty; Haley Lechtenberg; and Jayden Kasiska-Pettersen. "Critical Thinking about Workplace Problems: An Essential Skill for Students." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 12, 2022.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2022/poster-session-01/8
