Learning to Think in a Made-Up World
- Leigh W. Jerome
- 16 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Critical thinking supports psychological, intellectual, and societal resilience.
Originally posted (March 26, 2025) Psychology Today
We are living in a chaotic time with global upheavals, political realignments, quickening technological advancement, and information overload. Further, AI is developing at an accelerated pace. We are exposed to more deepfakes, misinformation, and conspiracy theories, making it difficult to distinguish what is true and what is made up. Not only are these facets destabilizing, but they also combine to create an environment that is difficult for people to think about critically, limits questioning about its basic assumptions, and interferes with objectivity in analyzing what is being seen, heard, read, and believed (Cinelli et al., 2021; O’Callaghan et al., 2015).
The way we gather our news and learn about the world has changed, reducing the depth and breadth of the information we take in. The overwhelming flood of available content means we now tend to acquire information via “brief formats,” such as social media and headlines. Internet algorithms further narrow knowledge, prioritizing content that a person is most likely to click on, reinforcing existing beliefs, and limiting exposure to diverse points of view. Easily digestible content discourages users from critically analyzing complex topics and encourages tribalism over nuanced debate.
Critical thinking is on the decline (Ranschaert, 2020). Critical thinking is the ability to logically evaluate and interpret information to make reasoned and informed judgments about its factuality and relevance. Critical thinking is the process where, rather than accepting assertions at face value, you question assumptions, recognize biases, look for non-confirming evidence, and evaluate different perspectives using evidence-based data to reach the most objective conclusion possible.
We live in a “post-truth” environment that encourages people to believe what “feels true” rather than that which is validated by evidence and empirical data. Political, dogmatic, media, and corporate agendas fuel this approach, making us all more vulnerable to propaganda and manipulation. Authoritarian motivations of governments and corporate interests stem from the desire for power through control. Religious and ideological groups may demand faith over critical thinking. These motivations erode deep thinking through the suppression of dissent and a preference for strict hierarchies, obedience, and loyalty over independent thought.
While critical thinking is declining, AI systems are expanding their penetration. We are witnessing an explosion of extraordinarily capable AI tools that make it simple to find quick answers without bothering with deep analysis. This results in “cognitive offloading,” that is, using external tools to reduce cognitive load for mental tasks (Gerlich, 2025). While the ease of technology tools is appealing, their use comes at a cost. A reduction in critical thinking leads to a reduced individual capacity for making good decisions, problem-solving, and adaptability.
The Value of Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is more than a skill, it is a requirement to defend yourself against misinformation and manipulation. Critical thinking is the way we can logically weigh evidence, consider our beliefs, and make informed choices and judgments. When we are able to break down complex issues and mull over various perspectives, it fortifies our problem-solving capabilities for navigating daily challenges and addressing unexpected circumstances.
Critical thinking enhances our ability to adapt to dynamic events and persevere when things get tough. It protects us against misinformation, helping us distinguish between reliable sources and deceptive assertions. When we engage in independent analysis and articulate our ideas, it gives us a better understanding of the issues, increases empathy, and is more likely to inspire innovation. Moreover, critical thinking helps us minimize biases, build creative skills, and improve relationships and communications (Moustaghfir & Brigul, 2024).
Specifically, critical thinking helps us become more skeptical and logical so we are less vulnerable to scams, deepfakes, and misinformation. Scammers use cognitive biases and emotional provocation (like greed, fear, scarcity, and urgency) to pressure people into falling for their tricks. Critical thinking can help you ferret out scams, determine if an offer is too good to be true, and recognize when you are being manipulated into acting quickly.
Further, we become less susceptible to deepfakes when we learn to scrutinize images, look for inconsistencies, and seek validation before believing what we see. Finally, we are more likely to spot misinformation when we make determinations based on empirically supported facts rather than beliefs and emotional reactions that can easily be triggered by confirmation biases.
Strategies for Improving Critical Thinking
There are many ways that we can enhance our critical thinking, both at the individual and societal levels. Individually, you can resolve to question everything rather than taking information at face value. Questioning everything includes questioning your own thinking, asking: “Why do I believe this?”
Resist over-relying on AI. Instead, read material from diverse sources, intentionally consider different opinions, and compare the information before drawing conclusions. This requires breaking complex issues down into smaller bits for analysis and comparing different points of view while remaining cognizant of biases that might be influencing your judgments.
Learn a “devil’s advocate” approach to thinking. That is, learn how to argue from both sides of a debate in order to fully understand the topic. Stay open-minded and be willing to change your beliefs when you are presented with strong empirical evidence.
Countering the societal suppression of critical thinking requires efforts on multiple fronts. We need to build an educational system that combats censorship and champions inquiry-based learning, media literacy, and ethical reasoning. Full access to diverse information, such as independent journalism and open-source knowledge, is essential to prevent gatekeeping that constricts a robust information pipeline.
Teaching mindfulness, emotional regulation, and cognitive resilience can help to counter the fear and emotional manipulation from those interests seeking power and control. We need to become aware of psychological tactics, like fear-mongering and false dichotomies, that are often implemented by these interests. There are grassroots efforts that can help as well, such as supporting watchdog organizations, boycotting companies that rely on monopolistic control and exploitative practices, and demanding government transparency.
We can also build community learning spaces that support the development of critical thinking skills outside of formal education. Simply explaining a complex issue to another person can promote critical thinking by bringing fallacies and superficial reasoning to the surface. If you struggle in your explanation or find inconsistencies or biases, you will know you need to analyze the issue at a deeper level.
Critical thinking is not about knowing the facts; it is about learning to question everything. It is a skill that can be strengthened and a habit that can be reinforced. Critical thinking gives us a defense against manipulation and misinformation. Critical thought, based on diverse, empirical information, promotes a myriad of other capacities, including problem-solving, creativity, empathy, ethical reasoning, and self-awareness. Critical thinking empowers us to navigate the complexities of modern living and make informed, thoughtful decisions, and it can lead to more just and resilient societies.
References
Cinelli, M., Morales, G. D. F., Galeazzi, A., Quattrociocchi, W., & Starnini, M. (2021). The echo chamber effect on social media. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118, 9.
Gerlich, M. (2025). AI Tools in Society: Impacts on Cognitive Offloading and the Future of Critical Thinking. Societies, 15, 1, 6. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15010006
Moustaghfir, S. & Brigul, H. (2024). Navigating Critical Thinking in the Digital Era. International Journal of Linguistics Literature & Translation, 7, 1, 137-143.
O'Callaghan, D., Greene, D., Conway, M., Carthy, J., & Cunningham, P. (2015). Down the (White) Rabbit Hole: The Extreme Right and Online Recommender Systems. Social Science Computer Review, 33(4), 459-478.
Ranschaert, R. (2020). Authority and Carnival: Preservice Teachers' Media Literacy Education in a Time of Truth Decay. Educational Studies, 56,5, 527-543.