Critical thinking is an essential life skill that allows us to make reasoned judgments and informed decisions. However, our ability to think critically can be hampered by assumptions – preconceived ideas or beliefs that we hold to be true without sufficient evidence. Challenging our own assumptions is a key part of thinking critically. This article will explore what assumptions are, why we should challenge them, and how to go about identifying and reconsidering our assumptions in order to sharpen our critical thinking abilities.

What are assumptions?

Assumptions are ideas, perceptions, or beliefs that we presume to be true without concrete proof or investigation. Often, assumptions are made unconsciously based on our upbringing, culture, past experiences, and societal norms. For example, someone raised in a religious household may unconsciously assume that their belief system is universally true. Or someone from a wealthy, privileged background might assume that all people have access to the same opportunities they did. Sharpening our ability to challenge assumptions is a key tool in critical thinking.


Additionally, social conditioning and personal experiences shape the way we see the world and can cause us to develop prejudiced assumptions about groups of people that have little factual basis. For instance, depictions in media and movies can lead to assumptions that certain races or nationalities behave in exaggerated stereotypical ways. Or someone who has had poor customer service experiences with businesses in one neighborhood may incorrectly assume that all businesses in that area offer poor service.


We rely on assumptions to help us quickly process information and make sense of the world around us. However, the trouble with assumptions is that while they may provide mental shortcuts, they can also lead to biased, narrow-minded or downright false conclusions if we don’t take the time to consciously examine them.

Why challenging assumptions matters

Challenging assumptions is important for several reasons.


First, assumptions often reflect inherent biases. Social conditioning and personal experiences shape the way we see the world and can cause us to develop prejudiced assumptions about groups of people that have little factual basis. For instance, someone who grew up without exposure to other cultures may unconsciously harbor assumptions that their own cultural practices are the best or only legitimate ones. Or someone who had a bad encounter with an individual of a particular demographic group may assume that everyone in that group is untrustworthy. Uncovering and questioning assumptions of this nature is vital to overcoming prejudice.


Additionally, assumptions can lead to poor decision-making if left unaddressed. In business, leaders may make strategic errors based on mistaken assumptions about customer needs or competitors’ plans. Assumptions are also problematic in public policy debates. People may resist proposals for change because they assume current circumstances cannot or will not improve, when in fact progress may be possible with an open mind.


Furthermore, assumptions close us off to new information and perspectives. If we presume we already have the answer, we won’t bother looking for alternative solutions. By considering different viewpoints and being willing to admit we may not have the full picture, we can gain insights that assumptions would have blocked us from discovering.


In summary, bias, faulty reasoning, and intellectual inflexibility are among the risks of relying on assumptions. Examining our assumptions keeps us accountable, open-minded and empathetic – all traits of strong critical thinkers.

Techniques for identifying assumptions

We often don’t recognize when we are making assumptions because they are so engrained in our thinking. Here are some techniques that can uncover our hidden assumptions:

• Ask yourself what am I taking for granted here? when analyzing information or weighing a decision. Train yourself to regularly and consciously question your assumptions.
• Look for absolute, black-and-white language. Phrases like always, never, everyone, no one, etc. can reveal assumptions that overgeneralize.
• Examine personal emotional reactions. If you have a strong negative or positive feeling about someone or something, dig deeper to understand if an assumption is driving that response.
• Consider alternative perspectives. Actively imagine other viewpoints beyond your own that could be valid. The assumption may be whatever your first instinct view was.
• Talk to others with different backgrounds and experience. Their assumptions likely vary from yours, shedding light on beliefs you hold that not everyone shares.
• Look for inconsistencies. If your assumption does not align logically with known facts or evidence, it merits re-evaluation.
• Review the language used to frame problems or ideas. The words chosen may betray underlying assumptions.

With practice, you can learn to catch yourself when making unconscious leaps based on assumptions rather than facts. This awareness alone dramatically improves critical thinking abilities.

Evaluating assumptions critically

Once you have identified a specific assumption, it is important to investigate it further rather than accepting it at face value. There are several angles to approach this evaluation:

1. Look for the root of the assumption. Does it originate from personal experience, social conditioning, cultural narrative, etc? Understanding the genesis can provide context on why you have this belief.
2. Gather objective evidence. What concrete facts either support or contradict the assumption? Facts that conflict with it call the assumption into question. However, beware of only seeking out information that validates your existing belief – that is confirmation bias.
3. Additionally, consider alternative perspectives. How might others see this situation differently, and what is their supporting evidence? Imagine you had a different background – how might that alter your assumption? Opening your mind to other angles loosens the grip of assumptions.

Checking your motivations also matters. Are you clinging to an assumption because it feels comfortable or reinforces your worldview? Discomforting truths may lurk beneath assumptions that make us feel good. Moreover, reflect carefully on the impacts of an assumption being incorrect. In cases where stakes are high, extra skepticism is warranted to avoid risk. When lives, livelihoods or resources are on the line, we must be thorough. With rigorous, open-minded analysis, many assumptions will hold up under scrutiny. But for those revealed to be misguided or limited, rejecting assumptions will bolster critical thinking capacities essential for success.

Put it to work

You can implement the process of challenging assumptions in your daily life.

• At work, question assumptions ingrained in your workplace culture or industry that things have always been done this way. There may be more effective modern approaches. Voice alternatives and request evidence for keeping status quo practices.
• In personal relationships, be aware that even those closest to you have inherent biases and assumptions. Seek to understand their perspectives before judgment. Discuss complex issues compassionately.
• As a consumer, avoid assumptions that expensive brands indicate quality. Research products objectively based on facts like materials, testing, and customer reviews before purchase.
• As a voter, question assumptions that all issues have just two partisan sides. Study policies and evidence behind partisan rhetoric before forming positions. Consider individual candidates, not just parties.
• As a leader, encourage team members to constructively question your assumptions to foster innovative thinking, ideas, and continuous improvement. No perspective is too valuable to ignore.

In all areas of life, check assumptions that reinforce socioeconomic, gender, racial, or other stereotypes that can marginalize groups. Get to know people’s individual stories firsthand.

At every opportunity, catch yourself making assumptions and take time to deliberately re-examine them. The benefits of doing so for your reasoning skills, empathy, and leadership will be invaluable.

The Takeaway

Assumptions often reside undetected in our thinking and can undermine critical analysis if left unaddressed. Awareness, objective questioning, open-minded investigation, and checking motivations can reveal flawed assumptions that would otherwise go unchallenged. Rejecting assumptions when warranted sharpens reasoning, enhances creativity, reduces biases, and leads to more just and compassionate human relations.

By applying methods to surface assumptions and examining them in the light of evidence, we take greater control over our thought processes. With practice, regularly challenging assumptions becomes an automatic habit that powers more agile, clear-eyed critical thinking.