Critical Thinking - Does Maturity = Consistency?

Being more experienced in the process can be a positive and negative for critical thinking.

When you are more mature in the process you have an understanding and comfort with the process that makes it easy to apply the steps at a moments notice. You can look at almost any situation and find a way that the critical thinking process can be applied to making the right decision.

When you are so comfortable and versed in the process it can be difficult to see how outside factors may be involved and you may not feel as comfortable making a decision without using the critical thinking process. Decisions are made all the time based on the idea that, "that's the way it's always been done," but just because that is how it has always been done doesn't mean that is the only way to do it. This is how maturity can be a negative. As long as maturity done not get replaced with tradition the critical thinking process can continue to be applied and evolve to fit any situation.