PSYCHOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF CRITICAL THINKING IN ADOLESCENTS
Keywords:
critical thinking, adolescence, psychological mechanisms, reflection, self-regulation, volitional control, cognitive activity.Abstract
This article analyzes the psychological mechanisms underlying the development of critical thinking in adolescents as a key cognitive and self-regulatory formation. Critical thinking is conceptualized as an integrative ability that ensures the analysis of information, evaluation of arguments, identification of logical errors, and the making of well-grounded decisions. Adolescence is defined as a sensitive developmental period for the formation of these mechanisms due to the intensive development of abstract thinking, reflection, and self-awareness. The study places special emphasis on the role of reflection, self-regulation, volitional control, and motivational factors in activating critical analysis. It is demonstrated that well-developed reflective processes обеспечивают awareness of the grounds of one’s own reasoning, while self-regulation contributes to maintaining the cognitive task and adjusting thinking strategies. The importance of the educational environment, dialogic interaction, and problem-based tasks is substantiated as essential conditions for actualizing the psychological mechanisms of critical thinking. The obtained conclusions may be used in the design of psychological and pedagogical programs aimed at fostering intellectual autonomy and adolescents’ readiness for conscious decision-making.
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