Linda Bahn - Frame of Reference Presentation

Frame of reference can be a barrier to critical thinking by limiting information you consider -- lack of information, lack of knowledge, poorer decisions.

Frame of reference is your belief structure, perception of the world, and the ways you communicate.

If you only have part of the picture, you only have part of the story.

Geography, upbringing, religion, culture, media can limit our perspective.

Ways to broaden perspective

• Curiosity: Continually seek knowledge
• Willingness to listen and understand others
• Place yourself in someone else’s shoes
• Understand that nobody knows everything
• Recognize that life is a learning process
• Attempt to answer your own questions by research
• Do not assume anything you don’t understand

Summary Steps to alleviating a limited frame of reference:

• recognize that frame of reference exists
• continue to evaluate our beliefs by acquiring new information