Types of thinking: Visual-effective, Visual-figurative, Verbal-logical, Theoretical and Practical, Creative, Pralogical

What is thinking

This is the highest process of cognition of the surrounding reality, subjective perception of objective reality.
Its uniqueness lies in the perception of external information and its transformation in consciousness. Thinking helps a person gain new knowledge, experience, and creatively transform ideas that have already been formed. It helps to expand the boundaries of knowledge, helping to change the existing conditions for solving assigned problems. This process is the engine of human development. In psychology there is no separately operating process - thinking. It will necessarily be present in all other cognitive actions of a person. Therefore, in order to somewhat structure this transformation of reality, types of thinking and their characteristics were identified in psychology. A table with these data helps to better assimilate information about the activities of this process in our psyche.

Features of this process

This process has its own characteristics that distinguish it from other human mental functions.

1. Mediocrity. This means that a person can indirectly recognize an object through the properties of another. Types of thinking and their characteristics are also involved here. Briefly describing this property, we can say that cognition occurs through the properties of another object: we can transfer some acquired knowledge to a similar unknown object.
2. Generality. A combination of several properties of an object. The ability to generalize helps a person to learn new things in the surrounding reality.

These two properties and processes of this human cognitive function are encompassed by the general characteristic of thinking. Characteristics of types of thinking are a separate area of ​​general psychology. Since types of thinking are characteristic of different age categories and are formed according to their own rules.

Types of thinking and their characteristics, table

A person perceives structured information better, so some information about the types of cognitive process of cognition of reality and their description will be presented systematically.

The best way to understand what types of thinking are and their characteristics is the table.

Characteristics of thinking styles

Before we begin to describe thinking styles, we note that they should not be considered from a “better or worse” point of view. They are not good or bad, they are all equal and have their own pros and cons. Also, they should not be assessed as indicators of intelligence development.

Now we present the characteristics of each style, from which you will learn its main differences, positive and negative sides. Individual thinking styles can be divided into five main ones:

Synthetic thinking style

Synthesis is the creation of something new and original (things, ideas, technologies, etc.) that has certain qualities. This new thing is often created by combining initial elements, which often have opposite and even incompatible properties and qualities.

Synthesizers love to combine different positions, views, or ideas, and their favorite form of thinking is theorizing and conducting thought experiments. The motto of such people can be called the question: “What if...?”

Synthesizers are engaged in integration, searching for ways to combine incompatible things in new combinations. Unlike people with other thinking styles, they tend to recognize only one specific fact. It lies in the fact that among people there have always been and will be people with different opinions on different topics.

Synthesizers are very keenly aware of contradictions in the reasoning of others, and are actively interested in conflicts of ideas and paradoxes. They themselves are also interested in the emergence of such situations and love to provoke them, for which they skillfully use Socratic dialogue and unexpected questions.

Another passion of such people is the love of change. They see an ever-changing reality and are not afraid of uncertainty. The unknown and new paths attract them like a magnet. For this reason, synthesizers often complicate their lives. However, their creativity is a source of pride, as is their sharpness of language and ability to see the unusual and new.

Idealistic thinking style

People with an idealistic thinking style tend to think associatively and have a broad view of things. They like to give global assessments and voice intuitive guesses. At the same time, they do not strive to analyze everything in detail, relying on logic and available facts.

Idealist people are interested in human motives, needs, values, and perfectly formulate goals, both their own and those of other people. What matters to them is where a person goes and why; they try to understand what is good for a person and what is evil.

What unites idealists with synthesizers is their lack of inclination to concentrate on dry facts and precise data. But they resolve contradictions in different ways. Idealists are convinced that any disputes and disagreements can be resolved; believe that people can always find a compromise. Therefore, they do not like conflicts, considering them completely unnecessary and ineffective.

Idealists openly accept a variety of proposals, positions and ideas; they like to be considered open, helpful, and trustworthy people. But to satisfy their requests, you must always be on top, because... they place higher demands on others. By the way, it is precisely because of their “standards” that idealists are often disappointed in others.

When searching for solutions to problems, idealistic people can demonstrate unsurpassed professionalism, even when formulating the problem may be very difficult, and the main factors are values, assessments, feelings and emotions.

Pragmatic thinking style

The pragmatic style of thinking is very similar to the practical scientific style. Pragmatic people perceive only what works, because their own experience is for them a measure of the correctness or incorrectness of actions, decisions, ideas and life in general.

Unlike other people, pragmatists tend to look for new ways to satisfy their own and other people’s needs, using only what is “at hand”, without resorting to additional funds and resources, and especially to reserves. When solving problems, pragmatists demonstrate a systematic approach, where only one thing is done at a time and a specific result is achieved. This unites pragmatists with realists (we’ll talk about the latter a little later).

Idealists believe in the “noble intentions” of others, but this is not at all typical of pragmatists. They are sure that the world cannot be understood, much less controlled, because it is unpredictable. For this reason, “today” they are doing this, and then it will be seen. The behavior of pragmatic people is also unpredictable, because... Most people find it difficult to understand how they think and reflect.

Pragmatists have the ability to sense the situation, and therefore can influence supply and demand in their broadest sense. They strive to share their ideas with other people, are willing to work together, work enthusiastically in teams, and successfully develop strategies for quickly achieving results.

In general, pragmatists can be called adaptive and flexible people, both from the point of view of thinking and from the point of view of behavior. They are almost always distinguished by excellent communication skills and the ability to empathize. They empathize with other people, but they themselves feel the need for understanding, love, approval, and acceptance of their thoughts and behavior.

Analytical thinking style

People with an analytical thinking style strive to find optimal ways. They are characterized by a methodical, logical, thorough, detail-oriented, and careful problem-solving style. Before making a decision, they draw up an action plan, collecting as much information as possible about the problem, which is the reason for their fairly frequent success in everything.

Analysts concentrate on theoretical data, and are guided by facts and the real state of affairs secondarily. They do not like confusion, chaos, uncertainty and the unknown. They prefer to look at the world as something that can be subordinated to rationalism and logic, ordered and predicted.

Knowledge is of particular value for analysts, so from childhood they try to learn and master theories with the help of which they can explain the phenomena of the surrounding world and bring them to a system. The opinion of authorities is important to them; their views rarely change; They always strive to apply all acquired theoretical knowledge in practice.

When faced with a problem, analysts begin to look for procedures, formulas, methods and entire systems with the help of which the problem can be solved. As a result, they challenge themselves to determine the best solution to the problem.

In life, analysts gravitate towards predictability, stability and rationality, focusing on objective information and “procedures” for overcoming obstacles. Any activity of such people will always be subordinated to a detailed and detailed plan, system, and the desire to find the optimal path.

Analysts spend a lot of time and effort searching for the necessary information. Thanks to this, in most cases they are competent people who have the necessary data and understand the specifics of problems and situations. This often serves as a source of personal pride for analysts.

Realistic thinking style

People with a realistic thinking style prefer to act empirically. Although this resembles the behavior of pragmatic people, there are significant differences. Realists and pragmatists operate with different values ​​and assumptions, and the strategies they use are fundamentally different, although they can often complement each other.

For realists, facts are of primary importance, and they consider “real” only what can be actually felt, what can be touched, what can be heard, seen, etc. Realists are of the opinion that if something cannot be achieved at the level of facts, then there is no point in starting to work with it at all.

The style of thinking of realists is that it is extremely specific and aimed at correcting and changing the situation in order to achieve a specific goal. Problems for them appear in any case when they see something “wrong” and they have a desire to influence it.

Pragmatists are inclined to experiment, while realists are closer to error-free business management, based on the confidence that if they managed to “fix” something, then no surprises will arise in the future, and everything will go like clockwork. If something happens again, realists will again try to fix everything, pursuing the same goal.

In fact, realists are closest to analysts, because rely only on reliable facts, focus on the material, concrete and objective, act methodically and strive to achieve practically valuable results. But at the same time, realists do not like formalities and logical procedures, long searches for data and the pursuit of ideals. Realists will try to do something as best as possible based on the facts at their disposal.

Like synthesizers, realists appreciate control over the situation. They like to manage resources, people and results themselves; They do not like to conduct long analyses, drag out discussions and delay decision-making moments.

These are the common characteristics and differences of each of the five individual thinking styles. But, in addition to these characteristics, the considered styles also have more striking features by which it is easy to determine the thinking style - yours or someone else's.

Visual-effective thinking, description

In psychology, much attention is paid to the study of thinking as the main process of cognition of reality.
After all, this process develops differently for each person, it works individually, and sometimes the types of thinking and their characteristics do not correspond to age standards. For preschoolers, visual and effective thinking comes first. It begins its development in infancy. Descriptions by age are presented in the table.

Determining your thinking style

Here we will not describe in detail each style of thinking, because... We have already given them the main characteristics, and we will present only the most striking features inherent in each of them.

How to identify a synthesizer :

• Defiant behavior, open expression of skepticism, sometimes ridicule, tendency to oppose (especially against generally held opinions), disagreement with what everyone agrees with.
• A detached view of the situation, originality in judgment, unusual proposals on solving problems and getting out of situations.
• A penchant for philosophizing, theorizing, formulating and resolving paradoxes. A frivolous (at first glance and from the point of view of others) attitude towards problems and difficulties.
• Lack of interest in the simple and banal, attempts to appear irrelevant to the problem or issue being discussed.
• Effective, but quite complex speech, a lot of introductory words and sentences, qualifying adjectives and constructions (such as “essentially”, “more or less”, “probably”, etc.)
• Skillful argumentation of one’s position, but at the same time the ability and desire (!) to smash one’s own ideas to smithereens with the simultaneous manifestation of self-irony.

How to identify an idealist :

• An open and inviting smile. Verbal and non-verbal signals that indicate a desire to achieve emotional contact and inspire trust. Sociability.
• Vivid reflection in behavior of any positive and negative emotions.
• Soft, tactful and non-provocative behavior.
• Reluctance to argue, let alone conflict, desire for a peaceful resolution of any situation.
• A tendency to talk about others and their problems, a desire to get to know a person better, a lot of questions.
• Negative attitude towards the abundance of facts and deep analytics.
• Firmness in beliefs and actions. Strict adherence to social and ethical standards.

How to define a pragmatist :

• Friendly and open manner of communication. Courage, mobility, activity, some tension in relationships.
• Love of easy and relaxed, clear, simple and cheerful communication.
• Dislike of speculative and formal conversations, conversations on abstract topics, conversations overflowing with theory.
• Signs of discomfort in tense situations. The desire to return the situation to its previous course as soon as possible.
• The ability to bring excitement to any, even the most boring situation.
• Need for freedom of action, aversion to control.
• The need for motivation, maintaining enthusiasm and interest.

How to identify an analyst :

• External coldness, restraint, dryness, closedness. Formality in communication. Apparent inattention to the words of the interlocutor (but this impression is wrong).
• Restrained, quiet and even, disciplined, firm, but careful speech.
• Lack of desire to conduct a conversation or voice your opinion as quickly as possible.
• Greater awareness of the subject of conversation in the case of dialogue.
• Reluctance to participate in conversations devoid of rationalism and logic, to conduct meaningless conversations on philosophical and “non-traditional” topics.
• Dislike of small talk, excessive frivolity and inappropriate jokes in communication.
• Stubbornness and steadfastness in tense situations. The desire to stop communication in case of continuous pressure (an option for psychological defense in stressful situations).
• “Rational”, restrained, subtle and intellectual humor.
• Thoughtfulness, seriousness and thoroughness in work and any matters.

How to spot a realist :

• Openness, confidence, sincerity, independence, assertiveness in communication.
• Having your own opinion on any issue and the desire to express it quickly.
• Clear verbal and nonverbal signs of agreement or disagreement.
• Lack of interest in theoretical and sentimental conversations.
• Positive attitude, tendency towards frankness.
• Quick excitability in stressful situations. The result is a domineering, authoritarian, harsh manner of communication with notes of stubbornness and arrogance.
• Increased interest in conversations on current affairs, current facts, news.
• Quickness in decision making, willingness to take responsibility.
• “Closeness” to ordinary people, lack of interest in “overly” intelligent companies.

In real life, a person cannot use only one style of thinking. There is a dominant style, and all the others can be manifested to a greater or lesser extent, and sometimes not even “felt.” In some situations, thinking styles may cooperate, in others they may conflict.

Scientific research has been repeatedly conducted on this topic. The results showed that approximately 50% of people operate in the process of life with one of the most optimal and familiar styles. About 35% of people use both styles with equal frequency. And the remaining 15% successfully use three or more thinking styles.

The researchers also came to the conclusion that the most adaptive, flexible and effective in life and work are people belonging to the latter category, i.e. to those who are able to equally apply one or another style, although they will be inferior to people who “professionally” own one style. But still, psychologists recommend developing the qualities of a synthesizer, an idealist, a pragmatist, an analyst and a realist.

As for mastering new styles of thinking, experts draw an analogy between this process and the study of foreign languages. When you decide to learn a new language, you don’t have to change your worldview or value system. All that is required is to form a system of new skills.

Most likely, you will be able to write, read and speak a new language, using it out of necessity or for pleasure. You will still be able to live a familiar and comfortable life, but the very knowledge of a new language will give you new opportunities.

The situation is similar with mastering new styles of thinking: when necessary, you can “turn on” the style needed at the moment, and then return to the usual one. But the results you will achieve will get better and better each time (with practice).

Personal growth specialist and business coach Alexander Makarevich will tell you how to start mastering new styles of thinking.

We also recommend reading:

• Storytelling
• Learning styles
• Cognitive styles
• When to decide to act
• Harmful Thinking Styles
• Vroom, Yetton and Iago decision making model
• Fred Fiedler's Model of Effective Leadership
• Thinking styles Boncheck and Steele
• Leadership styles according to life cycle theory
• Divergent thinking: features, methods of development
• Six Emotional Leadership Styles

Key words:1Self-knowledge

Visual-figurative thinking

Types of thinking in psychology and their characteristics occupy an important place, since the age-related formation of other cognitive processes depends on their development. With each age stage, more and more mental functions are involved in the development of the process of cognition of reality. In visual-figurative thinking, imagination and perception play almost a key role.

Examples of different types of thinking

Eidetic memory - what does it mean in psychology, examples

A person is able to think differently, depending on each specific situation. This is due to the effectiveness of a certain type of thinking for solving certain problems. Some types of thinking can be distinguished:

• Deductive – with its help, the required conclusion is most often achieved and a solution is found. Deduction is the ability to think in the direction from the general to the specific. An example of the most elementary deduction is a situation when a person enters a room and sees a broken vase on the floor. From general data, the eyewitness receives the law of gravity and the presence of a cat in the room. Having analyzed the animal’s love for active games and its complete lack of neatness in relation to dishes in combination with gravity, as a result of deductive thinking, a person draws a conclusion that helps to clarify the circumstances of what happened. This method is often used in forensics, medicine, and research sciences. Involves analysis of input data.
• Inductive is the opposite of deductive. The process proceeds in the opposite direction. A person may have several particular situations from which he draws general conclusions. A clear example of induction is testing students at school. The teacher, having received the completed forms, evaluates them and makes a conclusion about the child’s level of education and the percentage of perception of the material studied. Newton, who discovered the law of gravitation, also used induction, noting the tendency of objects to fall to the ground. The inductive method of thinking moves from the particular to the general.

Induction example

• Analytical - an example of thinking based on a deep analysis of the situation. This type leads along the path from the general to the specific, structures, systematizes, without leaving details unattended. This type of thinking is results-oriented. The more arguments, the faster the analysis will give a solution. For example, psychologists use analysis in their theoretical studies: the facial expressions of the interlocutor can tell a lot. Popular gestures include touching the nose, squinting, and looking down, indicating that the storyteller is most likely telling a lie. Psychological education will allow, with the help of analytical thinking, to combine what the client said, his behavior, complaints, circumstances in order to draw a conclusion on how to guide the person to solve his problem.
• Creative is the freest type of thinking. It is not limited by laws and regulations, and does not depend on the amount of input data. This way of thinking is not accessible to everyone, and it is difficult to learn. It is more likely congenital, less often acquired. Unlike deductive, it allows for the most fantastic solutions and requires a flexible and plastic mind. An example would be the profession of an advertiser who creates a video for his product, which should be original, interesting, attractive, even if we are talking about the most ordinary rubber ball. Imagination aimed at describing an object, with the help of creative thinking, will make it possible to present the product to the consumer in an original way.

Creative thinking

• Interrogative – increasing experience and comprehensive development of the mind. Based on a large number of questions on each specific topic. By looking for answers to each, a person receives a large amount of information and becomes able to solve the problems that arise. By using this type of thinking, you can avoid common mistakes in problem solving. Thanks to this feature, new facts are discovered and attention is paid to an initially invisible side of the issue. It is useful to use this method even in solving everyday everyday problems. The wider the list of questions, the more extensively the situation will be studied. The most basic questions used in the application of this type are what was the reason for what happened, what happened shortly before the incident, whether it somehow affected surrounding things, what other options for the development of the event could be, and what could become the basis. The interrogative type of thinking is close to analytical.

Verbal and logical thinking

It is carried out using logical manipulations with concepts. Such operations are designed to find something in common between different objects and phenomena in society and the environment around us. Here images take a secondary place. In children, the beginnings of this type of thinking occur at the end of the preschool period. But the main development of this type of thinking begins at primary school age.

Empirical thinking

The characteristics of the main types of thinking include not only the three types described above.
This process is also divided into empirical or theoretical and practical. Theoretical thinking represents the knowledge of rules, various signs, and the theoretical basis of basic concepts. Here you can build hypotheses, but test them in practice.

What is autistic thinking?

Another unusual type of thinking is autistic, named after the word “autism”, which translates as “flight of fancy”, “flying in the clouds” or “separation from reality”. This type of thinking presupposes a weak orientation towards real life and circumstances. It is not considered the norm, but it is not a pathology (disease): for example, childhood fantasies, divorced from life, solving unrealistic problems. Autistic thinking can be characteristic not only of a child, but also of an adult. In this case, a mature person does not take into account the real situation, ignores reality and presents a solution to a complex problem that does not correspond to it.