Introspection on thinking (i.e., conceptually identifying what is going on in your mind while you are thinking) is not only a method of psychological investigation, but also a valuable personal practice that provides guidance for keeping your thinking on track to its goal.

This form of introspection is the key skill underlying creatical thinking. “Creatical thinking” refers to the process of overriding the faulty automatic “programs” (the invalid assumptions) that make bad critical thinking and break good creative thinking. It is how you can refocus your thinking when what comes to mind automatically has left your thinking stuck, sidetracked, cognitively biased, or otherwise in error. Introspection on thinking — more specifically, identifying what to think about next to get your thinking back on track to its goal — is the skill needed for getting this process going. Introspection on thinking is, I believe, the most important cognitive skill that is not yet explicitly taught at any level of schooling.

Lee Pierson, who holds a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from Cornell University, has conducted Creatical Thinking and other seminars for students from grade school to grad school and beyond, for a variety of educational and corporate clients in the United States and Canada. He is the Director of the Thinking Skills Institute.

Josh Dickson is an addictions counsellor, trauma therapist and positive psychologist. He is the founder and clinical director of Resurface, providing surf therapy retreats for trauma, positivity and creativity. He also works in private practice.