Predicting real-world outcomes: Critical thinking ability is a better predictor of life decisions than intelligence

• Published in: Thinking skills and creativity Vol. 25; pp. 38 - 46
• Main Authors: Butler, Heather A., Pentoney, Christopher, Bong, Mabelle P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2017
• Subjects: Critical thinking; Halpern critical thinking assessment; HCTA; INSBAT; Intelligence; Real-world outcomes; RWO; Real-world outcomes; Intelligence; INSBAT; Critical thinking; IQ; Halpern critical thinking assessment; HCTA; RWO
• ISSN: 1871-1871; 1878-0423
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tsc.2017.06.005

•Critical thinking and intelligence predicted the occurrence of real-world outcomes.•Those higher in critical thinking and intelligence reported fewer negative life events.•Critical thinking was a stronger predictor of real-world outcomes than intelligence. We all probably know someone who is very intelligent, but does blatantly stupid things. Despite evidence that intelligence predicts a variety of life outcomes, the relationship between intelligence and good thinking is less clear. This research explored whether critical thinking ability or intelligence was the better predictor of real life events. Community adults and college students (n=244) completed a critical thinking assessment, an intelligence test, and an inventory of life events. Individuals with higher critical thinking scores and higher IQs reported fewer negative life events. Critical thinking more strongly predicted life events than intelligence and significantly added to the variance explained by IQ. There is ample evidence that critical thinking can be taught, so there is hope that teaching critical thinking skills might prevent the occurrence of negative life events. We advocate for critical thinking instruction as a way to create a better future for everyone.