One of the concepts we have learned this semester that I hope to stick with me five years from now is the principles of critical thinking. The six principles of critical thinking are sets of skills used to evaluate all claims with an open mind and to overcome our own biases while assessing our own lives.
One of the reasons I think this concept will stick with me the most is because these principles have showed up on all of our quizzes and tests throughout the whole semester. I have memorized what each of them mean and can distinguish which principles are being used in certain situations.
Another reason I will remember this concept later in life is because we not only use them in psychology but in everyday life as well. It helps me to remember to keep these claims in mind when evaluating things like the media, internet, or books. Instead of assuming everything we hear is correct, we need to think more critically and evaluate it because we don't know if other findings have been excluded, we can't be sure A causes B, we don't know if the claim can be disproved or if the results can be replicated, we don't know if the evidence is as strong as the claim, and we don't know if there is a simpler explanation.
If you want to know more about the 6 principles of critical thinking go to this LINK.
That's probably one of the most important things to take from this class!