# Analysis of the Beliefs About Critical Competence in a Sample of Psychosocial and Socio-Educational Intervention Professionals in Master’s Degree Training

## TL;DR

This study explores how psychosocial and socio-educational professionals understand the role of ethics in critical thinking and decision-making.

## Contribution

The research introduces a practical analysis of ethical considerations in critical competence among Spanish students in psychosocial and socio-educational fields.

## Key findings

- Participants showed limited awareness of ethics in critical decision-making.
- The study highlights the need for improved educational training in critical thinking and ethics.
- Results suggest a shift in educational focus to better integrate ethical reasoning.

## Abstract

Critical thinking is a skill of great importance in our current and future society. Its value goes beyond all theoretical doubt although it requires more practical development, especially in terms of coordinated and evidence-based approaches. In addition, the ethical foundation must permeate the entire critical process, indicating what to criticize, for what, why, how, and when, elements that should not be left to improvisation or what is traditionally done. The aim of this research was to describe the ethical connotations that come together in the critical process. To this end, we focused on a group case study of undergraduate and graduate students of Psychosocial and Socio-educational studies in Spain, collecting information with instruments built ad hoc. The results show little practical awareness of the weight of ethics in critical decisions, producing a change in orientation regarding educational training to improve decision-making based on critical thinking and ethics.