Since an individual's ability to think critically most often manifests itself orally, research on sex differences should not overlook interpersonal communication styles and patterns in relation to the critical thought process. Any such examination should (1) define critical reasoning as it exists within Western society; (2) examine perceptions of men's and women's abilities to "think" and communicate critically; (3) discuss the ramifications of such perceptions; and (4) suggest ways feminist theory can be integrated into the critical thinking curriculum. Critical thinking has been defined as reasonable reflective thinking focused on deciding what to believe or do. Western society often identifies emotion as an obstacle to effective critical thinking--and women are stereotyped as behaving more emotionally than men. The first step in a feminist reinterpretation of the critical reasoning mode must be to debunk the myth that women, considered "emotional, non-rational" individuals, are inherently less able than men to think critically. Rather, women have been socialized not to think at all, and even in today's "post-feminist" society, conflicting messages create schizophrenic options for women. A reevaluation of the critical reasoning mode would restore emotion to its rightful place in the critical thinking model, and an even more progressive approach would consider varied models of critical thinking, not necessarily based on Western culture. (References are attached.) (NKA)