The Effectiveness of Critical Thinking Education Based on the Powell-Elder Model on Improving Cognitive and Self-efficacy Disorders in Teens

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching critical thinking based on the Powell-Elder model on improving the cognitive and self-efficacy of teens in Tehran. The research method was an applied and experimental type (post-test pre-test with control group). The statistical population consisted of all adolescents aged 13 to 16 years old in District 2 of Tehran. Data were analyzed by using a sampling method for 40 primary school students in Spring school as a sample group. A randomized trial was performed on 20 subjects in the experimental group and 20 in the control group. The data gathering tool was a Cognitive Distortion Questionnaire (Abdollahzadeh and Salar, 2010), Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents (SEQ-C) (2001). The experimental group was placed under the teaching of Powell-Alder Critical Thinking for 9 consecutive 90-minute sessions. Data were analyzed by multivariate covariance statistical tests using SPSS software. The results showed that there was a significant (P> 0.05) critical thinking education on reduction of cognitive distortions and increasing self-efficacy in adolescents in Tehran. Considering the importance of the role of critical thinking on self-efficacy and cognitive distortions, school curricula should be organized in such a way as to rethink curriculum planning and curriculum in order to find ways to develop adolescents themselves and plan to prevent cognitive impairment.