Posted on 01/07/2023 7:23:16 AM PST by DoodleBob
Independent thinking is an increasingly rare phenomenon in our society. Human beings are wired for conformity and herd mentality, and there is a reason for that. Millennia ago, these evolutionary mechanisms helped us survive in the wild prehistoric world.
But even today, in the modern world that is much safer than the ancient one, we still tend to conform to public opinion and follow the crowd. Why? Because it feels more convenient and safe. The majority can’t be mistaken, right?
Yet, in our pursuit of being “normal”, we often fall victims to thinking biases and stereotypes. That’s why someone who is an independent thinker is more likely to have a clear judgment. First of all, let’s explain what it means to be one.
Independent thinker definition
An independent thinker is someone who makes decisions and draws conclusions based on their own perception and judgment. It is a person who thinks for themselves rather than mindlessly conform to public opinion and other people’s points of view.
Thinking independently means using your critical thinking skills and staying loyal to yourself, even if your opinion goes against that of other people.
Signs of an independent thinker: is this you?
Now, let’s list a few signs that betray an independent thinker. How many can you relate to?
1. You think critically
Independent thinking and critical thinking go hand-in-hand. Thinking critically means perceiving and evaluating information without bias and blind belief. It means drawing your conclusions based on evidence.
Independent thinkers always try to view a situation in a critical light, whether it concerns politics, their work, or their personal lives.
2. You always have doubts
An independent thinker won’t accept things at face value. If this is you, you always leave space for doubt because you know that things are not always what they seem and the truth is rarely absolute.
You are hardly certain about anything, be it the world economic situation, the meaning of life, or your own decisions.
3. You don’t rely on public opinion
An independent thinker tends to question public opinion, but they don’t do it for the sake of standing out of the crowd. They don’t care to show off and be pretentiously different. But they do care about finding the truth, and this is why they always view public opinion through the prism of critical thinking.
Someone who is capable of independent thought realizes that the majority can be wrong, and popular views and opinions can be flawed.
4. You don’t identify with any particular political or religious views
An independent thinker is unlikely to be blindly loyal to a political party or a religious organization. Typically, they won’t identify with any particular views. This is because they don’t like squeezing their perceptions into the box of established interpretations.
Even if they do find some specific political or religious views more relatable, they will make sure they don’t give in to blind belief. This is one of the most telling examples of independent thinking.
5. You don’t do things just because you were told to
Independent thinking means thinking for yourself rather than mindlessly obey orders. That’s why a person who thinks independently is highly unlikely to choose a military or public service career. They will pick a job that will provide a certain degree of freedom.
If you are an independent thinker, you don’t find someone’s bare words or orders motivating enough. You need to see clearly why you need to do something.
6. It’s not easy for someone to impose their opinion on you
Independent thinkers listen to other people and are willing to consider other points of view except for their own. However, they don’t easily change their minds just because someone else is trying to talk them into their opinion.
No matter how convincing the other person sounds, you want to evaluate all sides of the subject before drawing any conclusions.
7. You don’t do things out of herd mentality or peer pressure
real people misunderstood fake society
If you are an independent thinker, you have low conformity. It means that you are unlikely to mindlessly do something just because everyone else is doing it.
Even in childhood and teenage years when peer pressure is particularly harsh, an individual who is capable of independent thought tends to question other people’s actions instead of following them without a second thought. Low conformity is a crucial trait of independent thinking.
8. You don’t seek validation
As an independent thinker, you know what you need to do without getting validation from other people. If you feel that something is right, you will do it even if those around you (or the majority) don’t agree with your choice.
Remember that thinking independently means relying on one’s own judgment in the first place.
9. You don’t have blind trust in authority figures
Whether it’s your boss, a high-ranking official, or a prominent university professor, you won’t thoughtlessly believe everything they say just because they are authority figures.
You realize that anyone can be mistaken and sometimes people are driven by different intentions than it may seem. In the end, having a high social status or position of power doesn’t guarantee being always right. And it certainly doesn’t equal being a truthful human being.
10. You avoid labeling and stereotypical thinking
People often fall victim to cognitive biases and stereotypical thought patterns because it’s easier this way. Following the effortless path of mental shortcuts gives them the privilege to not think in depth. But an independent thinker is a different story.
They don’t like anything that limits free thought – be it prejudice, labeling, or cognitive distortions.
11. You always double-check the information
As an independent thinker, you feel the need to carefully assess all the available information before making a decision or reaching a conclusion.
Whether it’s a work situation or a popular conspiracy you stumbled upon on the web, you double-check everything you hear, learn, or read. You want to be sure that the information you received is factual and objective.
12. You keep your mind open and don’t jump to conclusions
Open-minded people don't care to be right
It’s easy to hear gossip from a co-worker and jump to a conclusion about your boss. It’s equally easy to watch a shocking story in the news and generalize it to the overall situation in the country.
An independent thinker won’t do that. They always try to keep their minds open because they know that there is usually more than one side of a story. Open-mindedness is one of the most important traits of independent thinking.
13. You prefer ugly truths to pretty lies
Independent thinking means embracing the truth, even when it’s unattractive and painful. If you have this quality, you don’t shy away from the truth and realize that it may not always meet your expectations.
You are not satisfied with good-sounding half-truths and white lies. You choose to have a clear idea of what’s going on over living in the realm of illusions.
14. You don’t care about what other people think
When you think independently of other people’s opinions, it also means that you give little importance to their perception of you.
You are not concerned with being liked and accepted. You care more about being an honest and decent human being, even though people may not always share your fascination with the truth.
But you are fine with being misunderstood and even rejected because you know that it’s impossible to satisfy everyone’s expectations.
Why is independent thinking important?
herd mentality
In our modern age, we are overloaded with information. It’s everywhere – news websites, TV broadcasts, and social media are constantly bombarding us with new stories. Everyone from our parents to high officials is trying to impose their opinion on us.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to separate truths and facts from lies, propaganda, and fakes.
For this reason, practicing independent thinking is more important than ever. The ability to view the information in a critical light, no matter where it comes from – our neighbor or the government – helps you preserve the clarity of judgment.
Thinking for yourself is a great power in our society that is driven by herd mentality and fearful conformity. If you are an independent thinker, I encourage you to not give up even when your opinion goes against the majority.
In the end, being loyal to yourself is what matters most of all.
1. You don't think critically
2. You never have doubts
3. You rely on public opinion
4. You identify with any particular political or religious views
5. You do things just because you were told to
6. It’s easy for someone to impose their opinion on you
7. You do things out of herd mentality or peer pressure
8. You seek validation
9. You have blind trust in authority figures
10. You prefer labeling and stereotypical thinking
11. You never double-check the information
12. You keep your mind closed and jump to conclusions
13. You prefer pretty lies to ugly truths
#4 is BS but other than that she pegged me to a “T”. 😆
If she replaced “views” with “party” it’d be better.
Nice article!
I think many people evolve to that position, the Republicans betray their voters time after time and eventually people see them for what they are and become more independent thinkers over time, it’s called experience, wisdom, etc...
Sorry BS, most stereotypes exists for a reason.
If I hear about a smash & grab looting spree I instantly know which group of "youths" it was. If I am hungry and happen to driving on a Martin Luther king Jr Blvd, I ain't stopping, etc.
She hasn’t yet learned that one of the purposes of an ‘open mind’ is to take in and internalize good ideas, after due diligence. It’s not to encounter good ideas and then let them fall out again because the mind is hanging open, flapping in whatever breeze comes along.
In other words, these are the characteristics of libtards. And don’t forget to put on your mask and get the shot.
Playing poker develops critical thinking skills. Chess too.
Otherwise, I am guilty as charged as an independent thinker.
I once had a college professor who observed that free market economics had a lot of problems, including inequities. But it worked a hell of a lot better than any other system which had ever been tried.
Never believe something just because you want it to be true. This is especially true when you hear something negative about an individual or group you despise. It’s an easy trap to fall in to.
Then again, some people are just contrarians for the sake of being contrarian.
If you need a checklist you’re not capable of doing it
It is not my fault that I have a congenital defect and my middle finger is stuck pointing straight up...
;-)
it’s good to be reminded of these ideas. Thanks
I like taking the “road less travelled”
I agree. #4 is poorly written but who cares what others think.
“most stereotypes exist for a reason”
Agreed.
While I try to give individuals an opportunity to prove they don’t fit the stereotype I am never surprised when my “prejudice” is proved correct.
“most stereotypes exist for a reason”
Agreed.
While I try to give individuals an opportunity to prove they don’t fit the stereotype I am never surprised when my “prejudice” is proved correct.
Agreed.
Adherence to freedom first is NOT a political view, even though it seems to be today.
11. You always double-check the information
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