What type of thinking is promoted when students make a judgement about a character's guilt or innocence?

When students make a judgment about a character's guilt or innocence, they are engaging in critical thinking. This type of thinking involves analyzing information, evaluating evidence, and forming conclusions based on reasoning. In this context, students must assess the character's actions, motivations, and the surrounding circumstances, which requires them to synthesize various pieces of information and evaluate their implications, ultimately leading to a well-reasoned decision.

This process goes beyond simply recalling facts or generating multiple answers, which is more characteristic of divergent thinking. While divergent thinking encourages brainstorming and creative exploration of possibilities, the task of making a judgment about guilt or innocence necessitates a focused, evaluative approach. Therefore, critical thinking is the most appropriate label for the cognitive process underlying this judgment.