psychology and critical thinking?

Question

How is critical thinking involved with thinking and intelligence? While this may be an easy question, perhaps you can address this from the perspective of why is there lack of critical thinking in thinking and intelligence issues? Sometimes smart people do not reason so well.

Answer 1

I shall interpret your definition of critical thinking as making split-second decisions and having a solution in the blink of an eye. Sometimes, have you noticed that when doing a multiple-choice exam paper, the answer will sort of 'pop' out at you? This is critical thinking.
Sometimes, critical thinking is like your instinct or gut feel. Like when you just know that this person has to be a criminal or when something doesn't 'feel' right.
The ability to think critically comes from our subconsious minds. You already have the knowledge somewhere in the deep recesses of your grey matter. And it is that sudden spark, that sudden realization that comes from within.
Therfore, it has nothing to do with thinking or intelligence. You possess the knowledge in your subconcious mind and the solution is generated for you in a blink.

Answer 2

Religious conviction is the prime example of lack of critical thinking. There are some people, quite intelligent in other regards, who have structured their mind to accept what I perceive as fantasy, wishful thinking, and outright myth. Not necessarily limited to Western religious thought either. Any system of belief that wraps around one's mind limits critical thinking.