Prediction of Critical Thinking Based on Cognitive Processes and Moral Justice in Students of Universities

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prediction of critical thinking based on cognitive processes and moral justice in the students of universities. Method: This descriptive-correlational study was performed on all the students in Shiraz who were selected using random multi-stage cluster sampling method in the academic year of 2018-2019. For collecting data, Rickets' critical thinking scale, Nejati's cognitive abilities, and Burger's moral justice were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 23 by using simple correlation coefficients and multiple regressions. Results: Findings showed that moral justice has a positive and significant effect on critical thinking, but cognitive abilities do not have the potential to influence critical thinking. It should be noted that the level of significance in this study was set at 0.05(α = 0.05). Conclusion: Generally, based on the results of this study, one can conclude that morality is one of the main factors of critical thinking, but cognitive abilities have no role in the tendency of individuals to think critically.