STUDENTS’ CRITICAL THINKING PROFILES IN SOLVING MATHEMATICAL PROBLEMS BADES ON ADVERSITY QUOTIENT (AQ)

Abstract

Critical thinking is a thinking process in processing information logically starti from understanding, analyzing, evaluating and making precise conclusions. Critical thinking indicators are clarification, assessment, inference, and strategy that referred to Jacob and Sam. Mathematics is designed to improve students' critical thinking in a solving problem. One of the factors that affect students' critical thinking in solving a problem is AQ. This research is descriptive study with qualitative approach. The aim is to describe critical thinking profile of climber, camper, and quitter students in solving mathematical problems. The subjects were three students of VIII grade junior high school who represented each AQ category and had good communication skills. The instrument used was the ARP questionnaire, mathematics problem solving tests, and interview guidelines. The results shows that students’ critical thinking profile in understanding the problem is climber and camper student do all indicators of critical thinking in the clarification phase. Quitter student is only able mentioning known and asked information. In devising a plan, climber student implements all indicators of assessment and strategy phase. Camper student implements all indicators in assessment phase, but do not discuss the possible steps in strategy phase. Quitter student does not do both assessment and strategy phase. In carrying out the plan, climber and camper students do all indicators of inference phase, while quitter student does not. In the step of looking back, only climber student who carries out evaluating steps that have been done.

Keywords: Jacob and Sam’s critical thinking, mathematical problem solving, adversity quotient