Final answer:
Critical thinking skills are essential within both pre-study phases of psychology and historical studies to understand and apply concepts deeply and creatively across different contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
To ensure a competent level within a pre-study phase that relies on grasping the big picture or tree trunk ideas before moving to the growth phase, what is required is the utilization of critical thinking skills. Critical thinking involves analysis, evaluation, and creativeness, which are essential to understand complex concepts deeply and apply them in new situations.
Moreover, history studies emphasize the development of critical thinking, analysis, and creativity, since historians must interpret diverse and human-centric data. Such skills are not only useful in the field of history but are also highly valued across various professional environments.