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Beyond logic: critical thinking as a resource for peace and psychological wellbeing
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DOI：10.1108/JACPR-08-2025-1063.png)
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Abstract
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PurposeThis study aims to examine whether critical thinking (CT), assessed using the critical reasoning assessment (CRA) as a performance-based measure and the critical thinking attitude (CTA) as a dispositional measure, relates to dysfunctional beliefs, peace attitudes and psychological well-being in 354 Italian university students. The study also explored mediating mechanisms linking CT, peace orientations and well-being.Design/methodology/approachParticipants completed CRA, CTA and measures of dysfunctional beliefs, peace attitudes and well-being. Confirmatory factor analyses verified construct distinctiveness. Structural equation modeling tested associations among CT, peace attitudes, dysfunctional beliefs and well-being, and mediation analyses evaluated whether beliefs and peace orientations explained the CT-well-being link.FindingsBoth performance-based and dispositional CT positively predicted peace attitudes and well-being, and negatively predicted dysfunctional beliefs. Mediation analyses indicated that lower dysfunctional beliefs and stronger peace orientations partially explained CT's link to well-being. Alternative models fit comparably well, precluding causal interpretations.Research limitations/implicationsThe cross-sectional design limits causal inference, and the sample restricts generalizability. Future research should use longitudinal or experimental designs and more diverse populations to clarify mechanisms. Findings highlight that CT, particularly as a reflective disposition, interacts with beliefs and social context to promote prosocial attitudes and psychological wellbeing.Practical implicationsFostering CT dispositions can enhance peace attitudes and well-being. Educational programs promoting reflective judgment, open-minded reasoning and cooperation may reduce dysfunctional beliefs and support prosocial behavior. Integrating CT training with social-emotional development can advance individual well-being and promote harmonious social interactions.Originality/valueThis study uniquely integrates performance-based and dispositional measures of critical thinking to examine their associations with peace attitudes and psychological well-being, extending CT research beyond cognitive performance to prosocial and flourishing outcomes. By exploring dysfunctional beliefs as a potential mediator, the study highlights mechanisms linking reflective reasoning to peace-oriented behavior. Unlike prior work, it considers CT as a value-neutral capacity that can foster prosocial attitudes while remaining strategically applicable in competitive contexts. The findings provide novel insights for education and intervention design, suggesting that cultivating critical thinking dispositions can contribute to individual flourishing and the promotion of peace.
Keywords:
Critical thinking
Peace attitudes
Dysfunctional beliefs
Well-being
Structural equation modeling
Critical thinking performance
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