Critical thinking of young people - the results of diagnosis carried out as part of pedagogical innovation

The article presents the results of ex-ante and ex-post evaluation carried out as part of methodical pedagogical innovation aimed at developing critical thinking among students in grades VI-VIII of primary school based on the use of the concept promoted by the Institute of Critical Thinking. For its needs, an original questionnaire was constructed and the Questionnaire of Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Attitudes and Attitudes towards the World by Ewa Wysocka and Bartłomiej Gołek was used. The obtained data indicate that there were favorable changes in students' understanding of the term "critical thinking", assessment of related skill levels, peer relationships and motivation to learn, as well as self-esteem and interpersonal functioning. They allow us to conclude that critical thinking affects youth in general development, including supporting them in the area of socio-emotional development.