If this is supposed to be the entire sentence, then it should read: "The/These/Those components are also critical to problem solving and life success." If this is a part of a longer sentence, I would like to see it.
If you want to change "also" to a different word, the word should be "are" because "components" is plural. Therefore, with "also" changed, the sentence would then read: "Components are critical to problem solving and life success."
I hope my answer helps. Please let me know if you still have questions.