Final answer:
Factors such as relying on assumptions, resistance to change in perspectives, and lack of understanding of cognitive biases can impede critical thinking. Employing methods like SIFT for evaluating information and being mindful of the influence of social and belief systems on one's thought process are pivotal for honing critical thinking skills.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factors that can interfere with and impede the process of critical thinking include relying solely on assumptions and not being open to changing perspectives or embracing uncertainty. Critical reflection involves a willingness to be skeptical of one's own beliefs and intuitions, assessing facts, and employing logic to resist conclusions that may be premature or incorrect. Furthermore, understanding how one's own cognitive biases can lead to errors in thinking is a crucial step towards becoming a more reflective thinker.
It is important not only to gather information, but also to evaluate its quality, for which the SIFT method can be useful. In critical thinking, one must be aware of how heavily information sources and activities shape opinions, and be conscious to assess the trustworthiness of various information outlets. The condition in which people can think critically is hampered when they hold beliefs that are incoherent or contradictory and when they fail to examine their ideas critically due to an allegiance to certain social sets or belief systems.