Abstract thinkers are interested in the deeper meaning of things and the bigger picture. Is your abstract thinking above average?
Perhaps the easiest way to explain abstract thinking is to compare it with its opposite – concrete reasoning. Concrete thinkers are more comfortable with what exists right now. They like things that are clear and tangible and that they can hold in their hands.
Concrete thinkers like to follow instructions and have detailed plans. They hate anything that is fuzzy or ambiguous. They do not usually ‘read between the lines’.
A concrete thinker will probably like lists and spreadsheets, but they are not always great at being spontaneous and ‘going with the flow’.
Conversely, abstract thinkers think about how everything relates to the bigger picture. They are always looking for the deeper meaning or the underlying patterns in things. Abstract thinkers want to understand how everything relates to everything else.
They are very curious and love to work with complex ideas. They may enjoy subjects that use a high degree of abstract thought, which includes subjects as varied as astrophysics and poetry.
Abstract thinking is closely linked to symbolic thinking. Much of our society and culture relies on being able to use symbols to express ideas.
For example, the Statue of Liberty is not just a statue, it is a symbol of freedom. Even language itself is abstract, as we use words as symbols for objects, ideas and emotions.
Of course, most of us use a mixture of concrete and abstract reasoning at different times and in different situations. No one could get through life relying on only one way of thinking.
Everyone needs to use abstract thought in order to make plans for the future, understand complex ideas or park our car. We also all need to use our concrete thinking to do the more practical tasks in life like checking if we need milk.
However, for most people, one type of thinking dominates. This will be the type of thinking they feel most comfortable and happy using, while using the opposite type of thinking may be more of a struggle.
Everyone uses abstract thinking at times. When you were a child, you counted on your fingers. Now you don’t need your fingers because you understand the abstract idea that numbers represent the amount of whatever it is you’re thinking about.
Having said that, this type of thinking comes more easily to some people. These types have abstraction as their dominant thinking strategy.
Businesses and colleges often test this way of thinking, so it is wise to sharpen yours if it does not come naturally to you.
If you want to improve your abstract thinking, there are books of exercises you can try. Developing your math skills can also help as math is an abstract way of thinking. Trying to find patterns in statistical data can also increase your ability in this area.
Learning about subjects that it is not possible to understand in a concrete way is another way to develop your abstract thinking. Subjects such as quantum mechanics and astrophysics require us to think in an abstract way.
Working on building your ability to use metaphor and analogy can also develop this way of thinking. Reading and writing poetry can be a good place to start. Visiting a gallery that features modern art can help you to develop a more symbolic way of thinking, too.
Overall, having a balance of thinking skills can help you be ready for all kinds of situations, so this is a skill worth developing.
Are you an abstract thinker? How do you think it helps you in life to think this way?
View Comments
Abstract = Faith
Would you agree?
faith in what?
I search for the controvercies between the sociality and the abstract thinking. A human alone can`t discuss his abstract thinking and makes it trivial and shallow one. Ancient Greeks created science - a product of the permanent discussions. No one non Western civilizations created science, though the big discoveries in some branches of the knoledge `ve been made.
Abstract can only be faith in crude form - a faith is like a one step journey - lack of metacognitive rigor if its meant only to serve one purpose aka lacking perspectives. Abstraction is stripping away things to its core parts then you can put parts together to form new ones. It is like a pump. When this is reached you can build the new one. It can get further and further away from reality in recursive manner. Anyway, it can be even serve you concretely if you can do this while taking in reality. Being few steps ahead so to speak and I do not really mean chess necessarily (especially since it involves lots of memorization and other abilities) since abstraction can be applied in different contexts like in math or even with human relationships.
I began looking up the meaning of abstract a few days ago when I decided to write book about my world. That is when I came up on all of this other stuff I never knew anything about, including abstract thinking. Now I know why I have a hard time getting along with some people and bond with others. This makes sense to me more than just having similar likes and dislikes, we have the same thought processes. It goes with the saying, great minds think alike. It explains the ease I have with the way I paint. I paint from my emotions and thoughts more than anything. I believe I would be considered an abstract expressionist. I generally look at the parts and color of things and wonder if I can find a way to imitate the color of something. This also explains how I can hold several conversations at once. At least I could before my mental breakdown. Now I can only have two conversations at once. I made a ton of changes in my life to get to where I am mentally and knowing I am an abstract thinker is helpful. I am not crazy.