Types of Thinking: Classification, Characteristics

Thinking is the process of cognition of the surrounding world. This is what distinguishes humans from animals — the ability to think in images, abstract, fast and slow.

All people think differently depending on the peculiarities of character, environment, circumstances. There is logical, critical, analytical thinking. There are even female and male. What characterizes each type of thinking, you will learn from our material.

What is the thinking process

A person perceives the surrounding reality through the prism of the knowledge he has already accumulated. In fact, we can say that thinking is a comparative analysis of certain objects and phenomena.

Thinking is a cognitive process that results in a generalized and mediated representation of phenomena and events surrounding a person. As a result, certain inferences are formed and new knowledge is accumulated. A simple example: you look out the window, see that tree branches are swaying, and conclude that the weather is windy now.

All types of thinking are necessarily interconnected with speech and human actions. The process of cognition of the surrounding reality occurs through the impact on it, so the original form of existence of thinking is considered to be action.

Various thought processes were first represented in the form of practical operations and then only transformed into theoretical ones. Language is an integral component of thinking. It is a proven fact that a task voiced aloud is eventually solved more qualitatively than one formulated to oneself.

The purpose of any kind of human thinking is to analyze the properties of new phenomena and objects, as well as the relationships between them. That is, thinking gives a person an opportunity to cognize the surrounding world and then make appropriate inferences.

As for the nature of the origin of thinking, it is formed on the basis of cause-and-effect relationships. Not the least role for all types of thinking is memory, which allows to operate with large amounts of information and generate new ideas in the course of the thought process. The ability to perceive new information is characteristic for people, and thanks to the causal way of thinking.

However, pattern in thought processes is not uncommon either. In general, there are different types and laws of thinking that allow you to effectively study the world around you.

The main thing for which a person needs thinking is to perceive and understand reality with all its complexities and interconnections. There are the following techniques for analyzing incoming information:
- analysis of the surrounding;
- synthesis;
- the process of comparison;
- abstraction;
- classification of objects;
- generalization of data.

Thanks to the process of thinking, a person is able to perceive and analyze something new.

Psychology and philosophy are still actively studying the process of thinking (its types, manifestations, what it is in general), and from a variety of points of view. The general essence is clear, but there is still a lot that remains misunderstood.

Commonly accepted classification of thinking

Classical psychology distinguishes thinking of different levels, forms, performance, etc. But the essence of all existing types is to help people study the surrounding reality and solve problems arising in this process.

Various scientists are engaged in the study of such a form of cognition as thinking: philosophers, psychologists, teachers, IT specialists, logicians, cognitive scientists. All of them pursue different goals and apply their own methods, but they all agree in one thing — they distinguish three main types of human thinking:

• The object-figurative type of thinking, i.e., direct perception.
• Visual-imaginative kind of thinking, i.e. the ability to memorize images of objects and then mentally operate them.
• Abstract thinking (verbal-logical) is when a person thinks about some logical operations in his mind.

All these types of thinking are combined in each individual, which are developed throughout life in the course of learning and accumulation of experience.

Not only types, but also forms of thinking (also three) are distinguished: judgment (an affirming or denying thought about an object), concept (judgments and attributes expressed in a generalized form) and inference (a conclusion, another judgment based on several previous ones).

Fast and slow thinking

First of all, it is not superfluous to understand in what modes a person is able to think in general. According to the theory put forward by cognitive psychologist Daniel Kahneman (Nobel Prize winner), people perceive the environment and make appropriate conclusions using one of two types of thinking: either fast or slow.

Fast is labeled as “System I” (it is also called heuristic). It is a type of thinking that relies on instinctive, intuitive perception, some kind of life experience of an individual. Quick thinking works automatically, but it is not a fact that the decisions made will be correct, because emotions, prejudices, stereotypes, etc. are unconsciously involved in the process.

However, there is also “System II” — slow thinking (rational). Daniel Kahneman defines it as “lazy”, i.e. one in which it is necessary to focus attention and think hard. This is, in fact, the very ability to think critically. The main thing here is to perceive information calmly, open-mindedly, discarding cognitive overlaps. There are various cognitive distortions, and the following are the most common:
- Affective heuristics: distortions that result in decisions being made quickly, under the influence of strong emotions.
- Accessibility heuristics: objects and circumstances are evaluated based on how easily you were able to recall a particular piece of information.
- Novelty effect: when a person relies on some fresh, memorized images and as a result overestimates the importance of what is happening.
- Focusing: a distortion in which attention is not distributed evenly across all relevant factors, but focuses more on one.
- Stereotyping: when an object is perceived in a simplistic and biased way.
- Framing effect: a type of distortion in which information is intentionally presented differently with the expectation of receiving a positive or negative response to it.

Each person can use different types of thinking, both fast and slow, to maximize their rationality to perceive the environment or not.

Logical and analytical types of thinking

Logical thinking implies the ability to provide evidence. Thanks to just logical thinking, people can not just accumulate knowledge about the world, but also systematize them. The main tools of this type of thinking are as follows:

• deduction;
• abduction;
• associative perception;
• induction (i.e., developmental thinking).

In the course of reasoning, the laws of logic, derived by Aristotle and Gottfried Leibniz (three of them were formulated by Aristotle and one by Leibniz), must still be observed.
Aristotle was of the opinion that logic is the most important component of the thinking process, but this is clearly insufficient for modern reality. Analytical thinking, i.e. the ability to interpret data, find relationships and patterns between them, and make decisions based on this, is also of great importance.

Critical and non-critical thinking

Non-critical thinking is when a person trusts too much everything he sees and hears, is not able to, as it is called, “read between the lines”. That is, he is not interested in how much information is true, important and why it is broadcast at all. This is usually the basis for phishing (manipulation of other people).

Critical thinking, on the other hand, is the ability to reflect on what is seen and heard. A person with this ability is harder to manipulate, he does not take any information on faith, and he cannot be confused by mere rhetoric. Tom Chatfield (a modern English philosopher) defined critical thinking as a skill of metacognition, thanks to which a person can:

• learn faster, adapt, improve their skills and knowledge;
• verify the information received, “filter” what is seen and heard;
• clearly and consistently present their own point of view;
• keep emotions under control;
• better understand what others have said;
• choose the main thing in the flow of information;
• avoid stereotypes and templates;
• evaluate a situation from different angles.

In general, critical thinking allows you to perceive and understand everything that is going on around you as objectively as possible. The following components are valuable aspects of the cognitive way of knowing:

• skepticism (within reasonable limits);
• an objective approach to the flow of information;
• understanding of bias;
• avoidance of cognitive distortions;
• connection and development of a logical kind of thinking.

There are even 10 commandments of critical thinking, formulated by Tom Chatfield:

• Take your time to reflect on what you see and hear.
• Your mind, energy, attention, and willpower are not limitless, and should be protected.
• When in doubt, wait.
• Do not forget to set your own limits.
• There are sunk costs. Think carefully before making them.
• Focus more on strategies rather than outcomes. When planning ahead, this will help reduce risks.
• Be mindful of intermediate, routine results. There are far more of these average accomplishments than there are sudden ups and downs (which tend to be more memorable).
• Strive to refute more than to confirm. Repeatedly confirmed arguments will carry more weight if you add to them also a reasonable refutation of existing contradictions.
• You should realize the degree of your own endurance, outline the circle of your reference points and values.
• Always know that even among all the proposed options may not be the right one.
• The ability to think critically will allow you not to become a victim of giant streams of information from the network and preserve your own individuality of thinking and self-expression.

Types of thinking by content
During the perception of information, some people pay more attention to images, others — to words or actions. Therefore, the development of types of thinking is also different.

Visual and imaginative thinking
This is when information is both transmitted and perceived in the form of images. For example, a person is learning traffic rules. Perhaps, he memorizes the rules with great difficulty, but he thinks very well if he begins to mentally recreate the situation on the road with all the intersections, signs, cars and so on.

That is, memorization occurs due to pictures, images, and the verbal description is not memorized (although it should be said that not always without this can be done).
The formation of a visual and figurative type of thinking begins in preschool age, when the child recognizes reality by pictures and sounds. Usually this kind of perception is characteristic of artists, musicians, designers, writers, that is, people with a developed imagination.

Visual-action type of thinking
Here to the knowledge of the subject or phenomenon is added to the corresponding action. For example, a designer, hearing the word “computer”, immediately imagine how he draws a certain project. Or tell the cook “knife”, and he will have a picture in front of his eyes, as if he slices something for cooking.

By the way, this is why children often break toys — they imagine its “insides”, and then want to check what is really there.

Verbal and logical thinking
Here the process of cognition is already fully involved, actions, life experience, and management of concepts are also used. A person, even without doing anything, can reason about objects, processes. Sometimes just logic works, depending on what exactly we are talking about.

If, for example, you are told that the kettle is hot, you will not touch it. Even if you are not even near it, in another room, but in the process of thinking, you will realize that it is not safe.

Types of thinking depending on personality traits
Personal characteristics of people also influence the development of thinking. In this regard, a vast group of types of thinking is distinguished, taking into account certain nuances in the perception of the world by a person.

Male type of thinking
The signs of the male type of thinking are straightforwardness, logical inferences, the use of certain ready-made systems and models. The goal here, as a rule, is action, achievement of results. Men do not mix emotions with logic, believing that this does not allow to effectively realize the planned. The reason (according to one version) is that the left hemisphere of the brain is involved in the perception and processing of data in men.

It is it that controls speech, logic, is responsible for actions with numbers, sequences, etc. In women, the right hemisphere is more responsible for all this. That is why the fair sex are emotional, dreamy, have a better imagination and ability to orient in space.

Female type of thinking
Because of their emotionality girls in the perception of the surrounding more often oriented on premonitions, feelings.

The thought process, as well as conclusions and decisions here in general very dependent on mood. However, psychologists do not categorically state that women are not able to think rationally and logically. At the right moment they are just like men, are able to carefully analyze everything, draw conclusions, plan and calculate.

Positive thinking
It means an optimistic worldview. A person who thinks positively is always aimed at success. He will find a way to bypass obstacles, soberly consider everything, realistically assess their capabilities and constructively approach the solution to any problem.

Negative thinking
Characteristic of pessimists who are always dissatisfied and complaining about everything around them, expecting sympathy and compassion. Even minor difficulties seem insurmountable to them.

Strategic way of thinking
It is about people who are able to plan ahead and build strategies for the realization of the planned. They confidently and persistently move towards the goal, having thought out in advance the best ways to do it. Strategic mindset is usually characteristic of managers, business owners.

Idealistic thinking
This is a distinctive feature of people-idealists, who imagine reality in the idealized form in which they have fantasized in their head. And usually one does not coincide with the other, which leads to disappointments, worries because of the seeming non-ideality and imperfection of the world.

Irrational thinking
That is, illogicality, subjectivity of evaluations, inability to logically explain their actions. Irrational people themselves are sincerely confident in their own rightness and are able to lead others. Often these are individuals with schizoid mental disorders.

Rational type of thinking
The tools of a rational thinking person are logic, reasoning, arguments, facts, and a set of knowledge. There is no room for experiences and emotions. These are the most sensible people who are able to solve any problem as constructively as possible.

Synthesizing type of thinking
This is when a person, even from separate fragmentary pieces of information, is able to recreate a complete picture of what is happening. Moreover, such a process is not absolutely no difficulty for him.

Types of thinking by tasks
If a quick solution to a task is required, thought processes begin to work differently. Words and images recede into the background, and it is necessary to operate (theoretically or practically) with some new, previously unknown concepts. That is, other types of thinking, sometimes called scientific, are involved, although they are used much more widely, not only in scientific activity.

Theoretical-imaginative type of thinking
This is when a person, using the knowledge he already has, realizes some new rules and patterns. An example of the application of theoretical thinking is Einstein’s discovery of his theory of relativity. So, in fact, other scientific theories are born.

To assess your own ability to understand technical science, you can use the so-called Bennett Test.

The practical kind of thinking
The direct opposite of the theoretical type of thinking. This is when some theoretical projects and developments are put into practice as soon as possible. For an example, think of vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic. A theoretically developed vaccine that had absolutely no time to be tested was put into use without any confirmed data on how effective it was (or whether it worked at all).

The problem with the practical kind of thinking is that there is usually not enough time to test theories, and without confirmation they mean little.

Types of thinking by degree of reflexion
They are also considered to be psychological types of thinking, because they involve the psychological features of individuals, which are connected in the course of thinking activity (because people process what they see and hear in very different ways).

The concept of analytical thinking
It is a step-by-step and logical process of making sense of information, where one step follows from another. People have to analyze something every day (at home in the family, at work, somewhere in public places, etc.). Analyzing helps to take the right actions and gain valuable experience.

Intuitive thinking
Here everything happens in reverse (in comparison with the previous case): there is a quick, often unconscious processing of information. This is the case when they say “understood on the level of intuition”. Decisions are also made under the influence of feelings and emotions.

There is no logic involved here, no regularities are built up — a person does everything “at the instinct”, “at the call of the soul”.

Realistic type of thinking (concrete thinking)
In essence, it is a type of logical thinking. In general, all subtypes are closely interconnected and quite similar to each other.

A person who thinks realistically, evaluates objects and phenomena around him as concretely as possible. He does not hover in the clouds, all his actions are logical, he sees the picture of what is happening as it really is. These are quite critical and demanding people, both in relation to others and to themselves.

Autistic thinking
Here the personal aspirations of the individual are at the head of the line, which, by the way, may be far from the real state of affairs. The logic of such people is not understandable, it is even illusory. They have absolutely no critical view of things. It is important for them to conform to their own invented reality, so they often meet misunderstanding from others. Just do not need to consider it a disease, it is still a special way of thinking.

Egocentric thinking
Yes, and this also exists! It is characteristic of unformed, insecure personalities. It is more common in children, although adults can also be such (however sad it may be to admit it).

For such personalities, their own “I” is the center of the universe around which everything revolves. It is in this way that the perception of the environment takes place. Other people with their emotions and desires do not mean anything at all.

Types of thinking by the degree of novelty
People are able to achieve something in life in very different ways. Some masterfully copy other people’s ideas (passing them off as their own), earning themselves a reputation for great cleverness. And others are really capable of discovery and creativity. And here, too, you need a special way of thinking.

Creative thinking
A creative person is able to create masterpieces by retrieving from his memory all the knowledge and experience accumulated throughout his life. He already sees a finished painting on a blank canvas, and from a piece of stone he imagines a sculpture, etc. Creative natures are in constant search of ideas, opportunities for their implementation, they are always analyzing something, trying.

Separate types of creative thinking are not singled out, and the creative process itself is presented as a preparatory, incubation stages (“nurturing” ideas), then there is insight, verification and execution of the conceived. There is another name of creative thinking — “artistic thinking” (the same stages are distinguished in it).

Reproductive type of thinking
This is an inability to get rid of established restrictions, a life in the captivity of stereotypes and templates. A person moves “on a rolling track”, relying solely on previous knowledge and experience. Such people are neither discoverers nor creators, and we should not expect any interesting accomplishments from them.

Examples of some types of thinking
Example 1. A surgeon and a nurse work in a pair. He instructs her to sew, and she has enough (without higher education) logic, experience and knowledge to do her job. She is even capable of pointing out some danger during surgery if she notices it.

This is where professional, practical, logical, analytical, intuitive, arbitrary and verbal logical thinking comes into play.

Example 2. A guy in a cafe likes a girl and has already decided to talk to her, but the waiter touches his cup and spills tea on him. The young man in confusion only quietly muttered something inarticulate in response.

Why didn’t he approach the girl afterward? The drenched shirt had nothing to do with it. The irrational kind of thinking went into action: “She’ll think I’m a sissy,” “I can’t exactly be liked in this situation,” etc. This reasoning will make him worry, even panic. And other times he will generally fall into a stupor and will not be able to approach.

Depending on the personal characteristics of the individual in different situations may include concrete, abstract, logical and other types of thinking. For example, positive and strategic thinking is inherent in those who grew up in an atmosphere of friendliness, understanding, faith in their own strength (thanks to the support of others).
And a bored child, who in his life has heard only reproaches, spontaneously will think reproductively, irrationally, in a negative way. He will simply not have a charge of energy and emotions for something interesting, pleasant, special.

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