... are​ grown, our minds have become set in patterns of thinking that affect how we respond to new ideas. These​ mind-sets are the result of our personal experiences and the various social environments in which we grew up. Such​ mind-sets determine what ideas we think are important​ and, conversely, what ideas we ignore. As one book on clear thinking points​ out, we​ can’t pay attention to all the events that occur around us.​ Consequently, “our minds filter out some observations and facts and let others through to our conscious​ awareness” (Ruchlis and Oddo​ 1990: 109). Herein lies the​ danger: “As a result we see and hear what we subconsciously want to and pay little attention to facts or observations that have already been rejected as​ unimportant.”
2. Having​ mind-sets makes life comfortable.​ However, as the foregoing writers point​ out, “Familiar relationships and events become so commonplace that we expect them to continue forever. Then we find ourselves completely unprepared to accept changes that are​ necessary, even when they stare us in the​ face” (Ruchlis and Oddo​ 1990: 110).
3. The way to deal with​ mind-sets is through critical thinking. Critical thinking means clear​ thinking, skeptical​ thinking, active thinking. It is actively seeking to​ understand, analyze, and evaluate information in order to solve specific problems. You need to exercise critical​ thinking, for​ example, when​ you’re trying to analyze the correctness of​ someone’s point of​ view—or of your own point of view. Unlike passive​ thinking, in which you unquestioningly accept the information given to​ you, critical thinking means that you constantly question everything.
​—Williams, Brian​ K., Sawyer, Stacey​ C., and​ Wahlstrom, Carl M. ​Marriages, Families,​ & Intimate Relationships. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle​ River, NJ:​ Pearson, 2013.​ 55-56. Print
What is the tone of this​ passage?
A.
neutral
B.
persuasive
C.
informative
D.
upbeat