≡× MENU

• Water supply
• Pumps
• Water purification
• Wells
• Filters

They have a pronounced ability for abstract thinking. Abstract thinking. Abstract thinking concept

In the process of knowing the world, a person faced exact values, quantities, definitions.

However, in order to compose a complete picture of this or that phenomenon, this is often not enough.

Moreover, it is often necessary to operate unknown or inaccurate data, generalize and systematize information on any individual properties, build various hypotheses and guesses.

It is in such cases that a person uses abstract thinking.

Abstraction - what is it in psychology?

Abstraction- this is a process of cognition in which there is a distraction from inessential properties, parameters, connections of phenomena or objects in order to identify their more important generalizing laws.

In other words, this is a generalization that can be done on objects or phenomena, processes, abstracting from some of their properties.

The following concepts are associated with abstraction:

1. Abstract logic. It reflects a person's ability to reason, think, build statements, operating not with specific data, but with concepts.
2. Abstract images- these are images that do not correspond to any real object.
3. Abstract reasoning- a thought that was formed on the basis of several judgments about something.

Abstract thinking concept

What is abstract thinking in simple words? What does it mean to think abstractly?

Before considering in detail abstract thinking, it should be borne in mind that there are the following types of thinking:

Moreover, all human mental activity can be represented in the form of the following mental operations:

1. Analysis... Separation of the whole into parts. At the same time, cognition of the whole is achieved through a more thorough study of its individual parts.
2. Synthesis... The connection of the disconnected parts into one whole.
3. Generalization... Isolation of common features that are inherent in phenomena or objects, with their subsequent unification on this basis.
4. Classification... Dissociation and grouping of phenomena or objects into classes (groups) based on both common features and their differences.
5. Abstraction... Determination of the properties of phenomena or objects, based on their common features, with a one-time abstraction from their other certain qualities, which are insignificant in a given situation.

In ordinary words, abstract thinking is used when a person does not have any precise information, illustrative examples, does not contact real objects, but forced to speculate and draw certain conclusions.

Such thinking is inherent in theoretical scientists, mathematicians, economists, programmers.

They assimilate information in the form of numerical values, codes and transform it using formulas and mathematical operations - that is, they work with the fact that impossible to see, touch, hear, perceive with the help of the senses.

Forms

There are such forms of abstract thinking:

1. Concept... With this form of thinking, it is determined common property, inherent in objects that also have some differences. For example, a telephone. Phones can be touch-sensitive, push-button or even disk, be made of various materials, have completely different additional functions - a flashlight, camera or infrared port, but, abstracting from these differences, you can distinguish them common function- make calls.
2. Judgment... The purpose of a judgment is to obtain confirmation or refutation of something. In this case, the judgment can be both simple and complex. There is no water in the cup - this judgment is simple. It is unambiguous and short, there are no additional actions or phenomena in it. An example of a difficult judgment - the cup was overturned, water poured out of it.
3. Inference... This form is a thought based on two or more judgments.

   Inference includes three stages - a premise (initial judgments), inference (logical thought process over initial judgments) and conclusion (formed final judgment).

Examples of

A good example of abstract thinking - maths.

When solving examples, we operate only with numbers, having no idea what subjects we are talking about - meaning only some kind of digital value.

Nevertheless, performing certain actions with this value and coming to some conclusion.

Also abstract thinking manifests itself in planning. A person sets himself any goals, calculates his own possible steps and situations to which they will lead.

In this case, the alleged situation does not exist in reality, however, based on inferences, a person's life becomes more predictable, purposeful and organized.

Yet abstract thinking does not always lead to a correct assessment of the situation.

For example, a woman who has received a negative experience of communication with several male partners can make a judgment that all males have certain -, rudeness, indifference.

How to develop?

Child's application of abstract thinking begins at preschool age.

As a rule, this coincides with the time when he begins to speak.

He compares his toys, finds differences between one animal species and another, learns to write and count.

During the school period to think with confidence in the abstract is already a necessity, since such subjects as mathematics and physics appear.

Moreover, the more attention was paid to the development of abstraction in childhood, the more easily a person uses this type of thinking in adulthood.

Developed abstract thinking gives a person the following Benefits:

1. Reflection of the world without the need for contact with real objects... A person can operate with any data without the need to use the senses.
2. Generalization of the phenomena. This makes it possible to more effectively receive and use their own knowledge in various situations. A person receives any information, summarizes it with already existing knowledge and subsequently remembers it better and extracts it from.
3. A clear statement of thoughts. Thought processes can proceed even without internal dialogue, but the final judgment is easily transformed into speech.

Although the development of abstract thinking in childhood is of great importance, it is possible even for an adult to train it by doing certain exercises.

It is important that they have a systematic nature - only constant training can lead to tangible results.

Tasks

Abstract thinking tasks:

1. Inventing oxymorons... You should come up with several phrases in which the words will be opposite in meaning - for example, black snow, cold fire, bright darkness.
2. Reverse reading. This exercise requires you to read a fiction book chapter by chapter in reverse order, trying to determine exactly how the story began in the book, what preceded a particular event.

   This is a rather difficult exercise, so it is best to take pieces with a simple plot.

3. Functions of objects. You should come up with the maximum possible number of ways to use this or that thing - for example, you can write a letter on a piece of paper, make an envelope out of it, light a fire with it, etc.
4. Analysis of communication. In the evening, you need to imagine the people with whom you communicated during the daytime, while remembering not only the content of the conversation, but also the tone, posture of the interlocutor and his gestures, facial expressions, the environment - and reproduce the dialogue in memory in as much detail as possible.
5. Initial. You should write any letter on a piece of paper and for a certain period of time try to remember the maximum number of words starting with this letter.

Abstraction

Abstraction in psychology- this is such a focus of a person's attention on a particular situation, in which he perceives it from the third position, that is, without participating in it, being above it.

Abstraction sets the general direction, helps formulate a goal more correctly, discard irrelevant factors in the situation, focusing on more important nuances.

Lack of ability to abstract from the situation can lead to, feelings of moral dissatisfaction, low and communication problems.

How to learn to abstract?

Applying not very complex psychological techniques, you can learn to abstract from the fact that what can bother you set your own goals and achieve them:

From society

Prolonged stay in the same society can negatively affect a person as a person - gradually this society, patterns of thinking and perception of certain situations enter his life. This reduces flexibility in behavior and response in different situations.

In order to abstract from society, try to stay alone longer. At the same time, try not to remember your surroundings. Concentrate on your own desires.

Choose something the activity that you prefer- walking in the forest, picking up mushrooms, fishing, meditation, reading a book - such that does not require the presence of another person nearby.

Change your occupation- new experiences will force you to take your mind off the familiar patterns and switch to your own perception.

From man

Some people, despite the fact that they are not perceived by us as unpleasant, can significantly affect on ours.

At the same time, the desires of this person can be superimposed on our own ideas and desires.

In order to abstract from a certain person, you can temporarily change the social circle.

It is desirable that new acquaintances sympathized you, and communication delivered.

Analyze what this person different from your new acquaintances and spot the differences. You can also be alone doing your favorite thing.

From unpleasant people

It happens that you have to be in the company of people unpleasant to you, which you cannot avoid - for example,. In this case, the actions or behavior of these people may interfere with concentration on the task being performed.

In order to abstract from them, do not try to exclude them from your attention, do not perceive their speech as something that can be stopped, but imagine that this is background noise that can disappear by itself.

For example, you can often not hear the ticking of the clock or not think about what is happening on the screen of the always-on TV.

From the situation

In difficult situations, your thoughts can be confused, and your emotions interfere with a judicious cold-blooded decision.

In such cases, you need to focus on the breath and count, for example, to ten.

Correct assessment can only come with time.

Also try to imagine that you are away from the place, or that the situation happens to another person... Try to brush aside minor distractions by focusing on the most important issues.

Habit can help you learn to abstract. plan your business in advance, clear goal setting and adherence to it.

In any situation, try to highlight important and secondary points - you may first have to analyze several cases and write down the conclusions in a notebook. Learn to be consistent - don't try to do several things at the same time.

Abstract thinking is used by us in many life situations, therefore, the ability to think abstractly and quickly and correctly cannot be ignored.

Take it for granted that thought processes are similar to sports exercise - exercise regularly help you to significantly develop your abilities.

About abstract human thinking in this video:

The abstract thinking of a person may seem to someone to be not so important a mental process. For example, why would anyone need to think about what the Universe is, try to solve in advance unsolvable problems of being, or look for the meaning of life?

However, experts will not agree with this, because abstract thinking makes it possible to abstract from the little things and try to look at the situation as a whole. For example, consider abstract and concrete thinking: looking out the window, you can see Lada Kalina, Toyota Karina, etc. at the entrance, but if you evaluate it concretely, and if abstractly, then there are cars at the house ... And this is a person's ability to look at the world from different angles.

Abstraction in thinking prevents a person from marking time, getting hung up on trifles, allows him to go only forward, crossing existing limits and norms. This is how innovative discoveries appear in the world and the most difficult vital tasks are solved.

Even as a child, a person must acquire the ability to think abstractly and intensively develop this ability. In the future, this will help to assess the general picture of current events, draw your own conclusions, and not only look for rational decision, but also to find a way out of any, even dead-end situations.

What are the abstract types of thinking

There are three forms of abstract thinking, without acquaintance with which you will not be aware of what it means to think abstractly:

Intermediate judgments that lead to a single conclusion are called "premises," and the final conclusion is a "conclusion."

Abstract - this means, unencumbered, free thinking, the ability to operate with judgments, independently draw conclusions. Without these mental processes, everyday life would be meaningless.

Characteristic signs of abstract thinking

This type of thinking is necessary for a full life of people and there are features of abstract thinking that you should be aware of:

There is a conditional division of the thinking process into 2 stages:

• thinking not using language;
• self-communication, which is called "internal dialogue".

You shouldn't even question the fact that people get most of their information from printed publications, television programs, and the vastness of the Internet. And everything happens with the use of the spoken language.

That is, receiving information from a source, a person processes it, creates a new one, which is fixed in his memory. This confirms that language is, in addition to a way of expressing, also a method of fixing information.

If we summarize everything, then abstract mental processes give a person the opportunity to:

• the ability to use concepts, groups and criteria that do not exist in the real world;
• summarize and analyze the information received;
• systematize knowledge;
• identify patterns without the need to interact with objects and phenomena of the surrounding world;
• build causal relationships, create new models of any ongoing processes.

Logic is the basis of abstract thinking

The root of an abstract phenomenon is considered to be logic, which is a native of the most ancient countries - Ancient Greece, India and the Chinese state. That is, this concept arose long before the creation of the modern world, and historical facts confirm that it existed as early as the 4th century BC.

Experts managed to find out that the practical application of logic occurred simultaneously in different parts of the world. This only confirms that world development is impossible without mental abstractions or logical judgments. They are necessary for the study of individual objects, phenomena or the general world picture.

Today logic is a whole scientific area that has a clear definition as a philosophical section, a science that studies reasoning, laws and rules used to obtain correct conclusions about the objects under study.

Thus, we can say that logic uses abstract thinking as the main tool, which makes it possible to abstract from the material and build consistent conclusions.

Abstract logical thinking has deep roots, because logic arose during the appearance of man, and accompanies him in the process of all stages of development.

Diagnosing mental abstraction abilities

In modern psychology, the ability to think abstractly is revealed even in childhood.

Various tests have been developed to find out how much this type of thinking is developed in a person:

1. Testing that determines the types of thinking. Naturally, in this case positive result- this is the predominance of the revealed type of thinking. Such tests are more often in the form of questionnaires based on working with images or choosing expressions that suit you. The main purpose of testing is to identify relationships between phenomena and their results (cause-and-effect relationships). In this case, a person receives the initial data, and on their basis it is necessary, applying logic, to come to the correct conclusion. Often, experts use non-existent terms, this makes it possible to assess how detached a person is and whether he has a stable ability to distance himself from distracting small details.
2. Tests, during which a person receives some verbal combinations and should try to find the patterns by which they are combined. Then they spread to other groups of words.

Opportunities for process improvement

Having a common definition, abstract thinking is individual for each person. Examples of this can always be taken from life - the mother draws beautifully, the daughter has literary abilities, and the son is able to think abstractly.

However, the formation of abstract thinking in everyone takes place in childhood, then the development of this aspect should be dealt with - the child should learn to think independently, he should be encouraged to think and encourage all sorts of fantasies.

Today you can buy various educational material - collections of logic problems, riddles, puzzles and other puzzles that make the brain work. If the development of abstract thinking in an adult individual is required, then this is quite possible. It is enough to spend 30 minutes-1 hour a day to solve logic problems in order to get the desired result.

Of course, a child's brain is much more flexible and capable of solving even complex tasks (an example of this is the numerous children's riddles that often lead adults to a dead end, but for a child they do not cause any difficulties), but training the brain activity of an adult will also allow you to think abstractly. It is important to choose those types of tasks that are especially difficult.

The child, on the other hand, needs to be constantly provided with the necessary "food for the mind", since the ability to think abstractly will not interfere with creative activity, but will help in the future to master numerous scientific disciplines based on similar skills.

Of course, a person must develop comprehensively, taking into account all mental aspects and their own abilities. People with developed abstract thinking are distinguished by high efficiency, dedication to their favorite work and the ability to independently find a way out of any situation. And these qualities are also necessary for a harmoniously developed personality.

You need to think abstractly, broadly. What does it mean? It is not clear. In this article, the site will consider what abstract thinking is in simple language.

Concrete thinking is unambiguous. Example: Vasya, if you don't remove this brick from the edge, Andryukha will hit him with his elbow and we will smash those cars down there.

Abstract thinking is ambiguous, imprecise. Example: it is possible to die from a brick falling on your head, the bricks are heavy and are killed every day due to negligence.

The product of abstract thinking is the conclusions that come from generalizations. Superfluous information is cut off. This speeds up the process of brain analysis of the situation.

With abstract thinking:

• A person tries to connect in a logical chain the general properties of various phenomena, events and objects;
• The thinking process is limited by the amount of knowledge that a person possesses. It is an "internal dialogue".

By processing the information received, a person forms new knowledge and fixes it in his memory. In the course of abstract thinking, a person uses tools: concepts, assessment criteria, generalizations, analysis, information, knowledge.

Abstract thinking tools help build cause and effect relationships. Abstract thinking allows you to find correspondences between seemingly unrelated objects and phenomena.

A distinctive feature of abstract thinking is the ability to separate from conventions and particulars, to assess the situation in cash.

If you do not develop abstract thinking, you are a fool!

Why mark the little things and ignore the general if it doesn't work? People with high intelligence have abstract thinking, thanks to abstract thinking, the horizon of perception of the surrounding world expands. It expands the scope of judgments, inferences and conclusions.

6 types of abstraction everyone needs to know

Abstract thinking is closely related to imagination. Their origins are sensory cognition. In psychology, there are various classifications of types of abstraction. They are all based on 2 processes: distraction and replenishment. There are abstractions:

1. Isolating or analytical. Fix the properties of objects. For example, "heat capacity", "moisture resistance", "truthful", etc .;
2. Generalizing. Formulate the general properties of objects. Example: "sour", "green", "hard", etc .;
3. Constructivism. Develops real ways to solve problems;
4. Idealizing. Exaggerating dignity of objects: "absolutely clean water", "ideal figure", etc .;
5. Actual-endless. Eliminates the possibility of fixing anything;
6. Primitive sensual. In the process of thinking, they divert attention from some feelings and concentrate it on other emotions.

Forms of abstract thinking

From the general classification of forms of abstract thinking, at least 3 can be distinguished:

1. Concept: reflects the general signs and properties of objects, phenomena or events that can be characterized as the most significant for them. The concepts are subdivided into scientific and everyday ones. The former are formed on the basis of knowledge, the latter - on personal experience;
2. Judgment. They have 2 forms - denial and affirmation. The constituents of judgments are the subject and the predicate (its affirmation or negation). Judgments can be general, singular, or particular;
3. Inference. This form of thinking is a product of judgment analysis. On its basis, a conclusion is made, which is new knowledge.

Practical examples of abstract logical thinking

In the life of every person, you can find a lot of examples of abstract thinking. All of them show an extraordinary approach to solving a particular problem. A vivid illustration of abstract thinking is the example of how Winnie the Pooh tried to get honey from the hollow of the "wrong" bees in a balloon. It is possible to find examples of abstract thinking not only in the lives of fairy-tale characters.

Abstract thinking example # 1. The numbers

Mathematical calculations on paper are described using different numbers and signs. And how do calculations in the head of a person without paper and pen take place? The result of the calculations arises from playing with images. Many people do not even try to visualize a picture of step-by-step calculations.

Abstract thinking example # 2. Life planning

This element of a person's life always includes elements of fantasy. For example, someone bought a lottery ticket and even before the start of the drawing begins to make plans to spend the winnings that have not been received.

Abstract thinking example # 3. Idealization

It happens that men and women endow their partners with qualities that they do not have (and never have). The ideal image invented by him can live in their minds for the rest of their lives.

Development of abstract thinking in children

There are special programs for the development of abstract thinking in children. It is good for parents to know about them. Child development classes should be started at a very early age. To do this, they need to invite them to perform various exercises that develop imagination, logical thinking.

Early childhood development activities may seem simple. Among them: drawing, folding cubes with letters into words, co-inventing fairy tales and stories. It is very useful to play mind-developing games. For example, showing the child objects and asking him to talk about the associations associated with them.

A child who has not mastered such skills at an early age will not be able to distinguish something specific from the general in the future. The development of abstract thinking will allow the child to quickly master the school curriculum.

The development of abstract thinking in adults

Despite the fact that learning something new in adults is much more difficult than in children, it is simply necessary to engage in self-development. It develops creative thinking and assists in expanding the range of thinking. To do this, you need to perform a number of specific exercises:

• Learn to create images of various emotions in your imagination;
• Give visual images to ideas;
• Read books upside down;
• Draw as much as possible.

The development process must be daily and constant. The results of the lessons will help change a person's life for the better.

Conclusion: abstract thinking is the foundation of human creativity. It allows him to go beyond what is permitted. People with abstract thinking will always be able to come up with a way to fry eggs on stones in the desert or boil them in sand without water, they will be able to increase sales due to non-standard delivery of goods or replace a torn car belt with women's stockings or tights on the road.

Zhanna Nechaeva

Editor-in-chief of the site magazine. I am responsible for the quality of the content. Child of the late 80s, experience of relative professional realization. She shoveled about 150 books on psychology, personal effectiveness, finance, motivation and some classics. More details on the page.

When a person does not know something, abstract thinking turns on in him, which helps him to make guesses, make judgments, and reason. To understand what it is, you need to familiarize yourself with examples, forms and methods of its development.

What is Abstract Thinking?

What is it and why does the psychotherapeutic help site psymedcare.ru touch on the topic of abstract thinking? It is the ability to think in general that helps in finding a solution to the impasse, the emergence of a different view of the world.

There is precise and generalized thinking. Accurate thinking is activated when a person has knowledge, information and a clear understanding of what is happening. Generalized thinking is turned on when a person does not know the exact data, does not have specific information. He can guess, guess, draw general conclusions. Generalized thinking - abstract thinking in simple words.

The scientific language of abstract thinking is a type of cognitive activity when a person moves away from specific details and begins to reason in general. The picture is viewed as a whole, without affecting the details, specifics, accuracy. This contributes to the departure from the rules and dogmas and the consideration of the situation from different angles. When an event is viewed in general, then various ways of solving it are found.

Usually a person starts from specific knowledge. For example, a man is lying on the couch watching TV. The thought arises: "He is a bum." In this situation, the beholder proceeds from his own ideas about what is happening. What could actually happen? The man lay down for 5 minutes to rest. He had already done everything around the house, so he allowed himself to watch TV. He fell ill, and therefore lies on the couch. There can be many variations of what is going on here. If we abstract from the specifics and look at the situation from different angles, then we can find out a lot of new and interesting things.

In abstract thinking, a person thinks approximately. There are no specifics or details here. Generalized words are used: "life", "peace", "in general", "by and large".

Abstract thinking is useful in situations where a person cannot find a way out (intellectual dead end). Due to the lack of information or knowledge, he is forced to reason, guess. If we abstract from the situation with its specific details, then we can consider in it something that was not noticed before.

Abstract logical thinking

In abstract-logical thinking, abstractions are used - units of certain regularities that have been isolated from the "abstract", "imaginary" qualities of an object or phenomenon. In other words, a person operates with phenomena that he cannot “touch with his hands”, “see with his eyes”, “smell”.

A very striking example of such thinking is mathematics, which explains phenomena that do not exist in physical nature. For example, there is no such thing as the number "2". The person understands that it comes about two identical units. However, this figure was invented by people in order to simplify some of the phenomena.

The progress and development of mankind forced people to use concepts that in fact do not exist. Another prime example would be the language that a person uses. There are no letters, words, sentences in nature. A person came up with an alphabet, words and expressions to simplify the expression of his thoughts, which he wants to convey to other people. This allowed people to find mutual language because everyone understands the meaning of the same word, recognizes letters, builds sentences.

Abstract-logical thinking becomes necessary in a situation of the presence of a certain certainty, which is not yet understandable and not known to man, and the emergence of an intellectual impasse. There is a need to identify what is in reality, to find a definition for it.

Abstraction is divided into types and purposes. Types of abstraction:

• Primitive-sensual - highlighting some properties of an object, ignoring its other qualities. For example, considering structure, but ignoring the shape of the subject.
• Generalizing - highlighting a common characteristic in one phenomenon, ignoring the presence of individual characteristics.
• Idealizing - replacing real properties with an ideal scheme that eliminates the existing shortcomings.
• Isolating - highlights the component on which attention is focused.
• Actual infinity - infinite sets are defined as finite.
• Constructivization - "coarsening", giving form to phenomena that have vague boundaries.

For purposes of abstraction there are:

1. Formal (theoretical thinking), when a person examines objects by their external manifestations. These qualities themselves do not exist by themselves without these objects and phenomena.
2. Substantial, when a person can select from an object or phenomenon a property that can exist by itself, be autonomous.

The development of abstract-logical thinking is important, since it was it that made it possible to isolate from the surrounding world that which cannot be recognized by the natural senses. Here, concepts (linguistic expressions) were formed that convey the general pattern of a particular phenomenon. Now each person does not have to identify this or that concept, since he learns about it in the process of studying at school, university, at home, etc. This brings us to the next topic about the forms of abstract thinking.

Forms of abstract thinking

Since a person cannot “create a wheel” every time, he must systematize the knowledge gained. Many phenomena are not visible to the human eye, something does not exist at all, but all this is in human life, therefore it must have one form or another. In abstract thinking, 3 forms are distinguished:

This is a thought that conveys a common property that can be traced in different objects. They can be different. However, their homogeneity and similarity allows a person to combine them into one group. For example, a chair. It can be with round handles or square seats. Different chairs have a different color, shape, composition. However, their common feature is that they have 4 legs and it is customary to sit on them. The same purpose of objects and their design allows a person to be combined into one group.

People teach these concepts to children from childhood. Speaking of "dog", we mean an animal that runs on 4 legs, barks, barks, etc. Dogs themselves are of different breeds. However, they all have the same characteristics, according to which they are combined into one general concept- "dog".

People use this form of abstraction when they want to confirm or deny something. Moreover, this verbal form is unambiguous. It comes in two forms: simple and complex. Simple - for example, a cat meows. It is short and unambiguous. Second - "the garbage was thrown out, the bucket was empty." Often expressed in whole sentences of a narrative form.

The judgment can be true or false. True judgment reflects the real state of affairs and is often based on the fact that a person does not show any relation to him, that is, he judges objectively. A judgment becomes false when a person is interested in him and is based on his own conclusions, and not on the real picture of what is happening.

This is a thought that is formed on the basis of two or more judgments, from which a new judgment is formed. Each inference has 3 components: premise (premise), conclusion and conclusion. The premise (premise) is the initial judgment. Inference is a process of logical thinking that leads to a conclusion - a new judgment.

Examples of abstract thinking

Having considered the theoretical part of abstract thinking, you should familiarize yourself with various examples. The most striking example of what an abstract judgment is, are the exact sciences. Mathematics, physics, astronomy and other sciences are often based on abstract thinking. We do not see numbers as such, but we know how to count. We collect objects in a group and name their number.

A person talks about life. But what is it? This is the existence of a body in which a person moves, breathes, functions. It is impossible to give a clear definition of what life is. However, a person can determine unambiguously when someone lives and when someone dies.

Clearly abstract thinking appears when a person thinks about the future. It is not known what will be there, but everyone has goals, desires, plans. Without the ability to dream and imagine, a person would not be able to make plans for the future. Now he seeks to realize these goals. His movement through life becomes more purposeful. Strategies and tactics emerge that should lead to the desired future. This reality does not yet exist, but a person seeks to form it the way he wants to see.

Another common form of abstraction is idealization. People love to idealize others and the world in general. Women dream of princes from fairy tales, not noticing what men are in the real world. Men dream of obedient wives, ignoring the fact that only an unthinking creature can be subordinate to another.

Many people use judgment. They are often false. Thus, a woman may conclude that “all men are bad” after being betrayed by a single partner. Since she singles out a man as a single class, which is characterized by the same quality, she ascribes to everyone the quality that manifested itself in one person.

Often, wrong conclusions are made on the basis of false judgments. For example, "the neighbors are unfriendly", "heating is not supplied", "the wiring needs to be changed" - this means that "the apartment is dysfunctional." Based on the emotional discomfort that arises under the existing circumstances, unambiguous judgments and conclusions are made that distort reality.

Development of abstract thinking

The most optimal age for the development of abstract thinking is the preschool period. Once a child begins to learn about the world, he can be helped in the development of all types of thinking.

The most effective way development are toys. Through shapes, volumes, colors, and so on, the child begins to first recognize the details, and then combine them into groups. You can give the child several toys of a square or round shape, so that he puts them into two piles according to the same criteria.

As soon as a child learns to draw, sculpt, craft with his own hands, he should be allowed to engage in such hobbies. This not only develops fine motor skills, but also promotes the expression of creativity. We can say that abstract thinking is creativity that is not limited by frames, shapes, colors.

When a child learns to read, count, write and perceive words by sound, you can work with him to develop abstract-logical thinking. Here, riddles that should be solved, puzzles where it is necessary to solve some issue, exercises for ingenuity, where it is necessary to notice an error, inaccuracy, are well suited.

Since abstract thinking is not born with a person, but develops as he grows, various rebuses, crosswords, puzzles will help here. There is a lot of literature on how to develop different types thinking. It should be understood that tasks alone cannot develop only one type of thinking. All of them are partially or fully engaged in the development of various types of cognitive activity.

Various life situations in which the child must find a way out of the situation become especially effective. A simple task to take out the trash will force the child to first think about how to dress and what to wear in order to get out of the house and carry the trash bag to the bin. If the trash can is away from home, then he will be forced to predict his route in advance. Forecasting the future is another way to develop abstract thinking. In children, fantasy works well, which should not be suppressed.

The result of abstract thinking is that a person is able to find ways out in any situation. He thinks creatively, flexibly, outside the box. Accurate knowledge is not always objective and can help in any situation. The circumstances are different, which makes a person think, reason, predict.

Psychologists note negative consequences if parents do not engage in the development of this thinking in their child. Firstly, the baby will not learn to distinguish the general from the details and, conversely, from the general to move on to the details. Secondly, he will not be able to show flexibility of thinking in situations in which he does not know a way out. Thirdly, he will be deprived of the ability to predict the future of his actions.

Abstract thinking differs from linear thinking in that a person does not think in causal relationships. He abstracts from the details and begins to reason in general. The most remarkable thing here is that only after a general vision of affairs can a person move on to the details that are important in the situation. And when the details do not help in solving the problem, then there is a need to abstract, go beyond what is happening.

Abstract thinking allows you to find new things, create, create. If a person were deprived of such thinking, then he would not be able to create a wheel, a car, an airplane and other technologies that many now use. There would be no progress that arises first from a person's ability to imagine, dream, go beyond the accepted and reasonable. These skills turn out to be useful in everyday life, when a person is faced with different characters and behaviors of people whom he has never met before. The ability to quickly rebuild and adapt in unchanging circumstances is due to abstract thinking.

Adaptation of children to a preschool educational institution Each person sooner or later changes the environment of his usual habitat. Each.

• How to survive a divorce from your husband? 27 Psychology
• How to deal with depression on your own? 59 Psychology
• Alcoholic psychosis 237 Narcology

All information posted on the pages of the site is the property of its authors and project owners. Copying information without an active backlink to the Psymedcare.ru website is strictly FORBIDDEN and is prosecuted under Article 146 of the Criminal Code Russian Federation and International Copyright Law.

Attention! Please do not take background information site as instructions for action in the treatment of a particular disease. For an accurate diagnosis and treatment, it is necessary to contact a specialist.

Abstract thinking

Abstract thinking is a type of thinking that allows you to abstract from small details and look at the situation as a whole. This type of thinking allows you to step beyond the boundaries of norms and rules and make new discoveries. The development of abstract thinking in a person from childhood should take an important place, because this approach helps to find unexpected solutions and new ways out of the situation easier.

Basic forms of abstract thinking

A feature of abstract thinking is that it has three different forms - concepts, judgments and inferences. Without understanding their specifics, it is difficult to get lost in the concept of "abstract thinking".

A concept is a form of thinking in which an object or a group of objects is reflected as one or more features. Each of these signs must be significant! The concept can be expressed both in one word and in a phrase - for example, the concepts of "cat", "leaves", "student of a humanitarian university", "green-eyed girl".

Judgment is a form of thinking in which any phrase describing the world, objects, relationships and patterns. In turn, judgments are divided into two types - complex and simple. A simple judgment may sound like, for example, "the cat is eating sour cream." A complex judgment expresses the meaning in a slightly different form: "The bus has started, the stop is empty." A complex judgment usually takes the form of a declarative sentence.

Inference is a form of thinking in which a conclusion is made from one or a group of related judgments, which is a new judgment. This is the basis of abstract logical thinking. The judgments that precede the formation of the final version are called prerequisites, and the final judgment is called "conclusion". For example: “All birds fly. The sparrow flies. A sparrow is a bird. "

The abstract type of thinking involves the free operation of concepts, judgments and inferences - such categories that do not make sense without reference to our daily life.

How to develop abstract thinking?

Needless to say, everyone has a different ability to think abstractly? Some people are given to draw beautifully, others - to write poetry, and still others - to think abstractly. However, the formation of abstract thinking is possible, and for this it is necessary to give the brain a reason for reflection from early childhood.

Currently, there are a lot of printed publications that provide food for the mind - all kinds of collections of logic puzzles, puzzles and the like. If you want to engage in the development of abstract thinking in yourself or your child, it is enough to find every minute twice a week to immerse yourself in solving such problems. The effect will not be long in coming. It is noticed that at an early age the brain solves this kind of problem easier, but the more training it gets, the better the results.

The complete absence of abstract thinking can give rise not only to many problems with creative activities, but also with the study of those disciplines in which most of the key concepts are abstract. That is why it is important to pay a lot of attention to this topic.

Correctly developed abstract thinking allows you to know something that has not yet been known by anyone before, to discover various secrets of nature, to distinguish truth from falsehood. In addition, this method of cognition differs from others in that it does not require direct contact with the object under study and allows you to remotely draw important inferences and conclusions.

Copying of information is allowed only with direct and indexed link to the source

What is abstract thinking and how does it manifest itself?

1. Definition 2. Forms 3. Types of thinking 4. Features 5. Are people equally developed abstraction? 6. Techniques for the development of abstract thinking 7. Abstract thinking and children

Each person in his Everyday life uses a number of thought processes, one of which is abstract thinking.

Abstract thinking is inherent only in man. No animal has this ability.

Definition

Abstract thinking is a type of thinking in which a person abstracts from details and thinks in broad terms, sees the whole picture. This feature of the brain allows you to go beyond the ordinary, to go towards your goal regardless of the opinions of other people, to make new discoveries. V modern world many employers value such abilities of their employees very much, this provides non-standard solutions to problems, new original projects. Developing abstract thinking in a child is an important task for his parents, since in many ways this is the key to his success in the future.

Forms

In order to understand the essence of thinking, it is worth understanding what forms it has. Forms of thought processes:

A concept is the ability to describe an object or phenomenon in one or more words according to its most important features. Example: gray cat, branchy tree, dark-haired girl, small child.

Judgment is a special form of thinking that describes objects and processes in the world around them, their relationship and interaction. It can approve or deny any information. Judgment, in turn, is divided into simple and complex.

An example of a simple judgment: "the grass grows." Complex judgment: "The sun is shining outside the window, therefore the weather is good", it has a narrative character.

Inference is a form of thinking, thanks to which, based on several judgments, a person makes a conclusion, which, in fact, will be a generalized judgment. Inference consists of premises and conclusions. Example: spring has come, it has become warmer outside, the grass has begun to grow.

Abstract thinking allows not only to freely operate with these three concepts, but also to apply them in life. Often in our daily activities we use all three forms of abstract thinking without realizing it.

Types of thinking

In psychology, there are several types of thinking. This division is a reflection of a person's ability to combine word, action and thought or image. Psychologists classify them as follows:

1. Concretely effective or practical.
2. Concrete-figurative or artistic
3. Verbal-logical or abstract.

It is especially worth saying about the verbal-logical type, since it is he who accompanies all the significant achievements of mankind.

Peculiarities

As has been said many times, it is this type of thinking that underlies the empirical cognitive function. Psychologists are constantly trying to improve and concretize the processes that take place in our minds. It is customary to divide several directions in abstract thinking, based on the tasks that a person is trying to solve:

1. Idealizing.
2. Generalizing.
3. Primitive sensual.
4. Insulating.
5. Actual infinity.
6. Constructivization.

The idealizing form presupposes the replacement of real concepts with ideals. This greatly complicates the analysis of the surrounding world, since it is very difficult to find an ideal or apply an ideal solution to real circumstances. Human representations are absolutely perfect. Example: "completely white snow".

The generalizing type is the main weapon of mathematicians. It is characterized by the perception of the object of thought in general, depriving it of details and specifics, and therefore making it a little divorced from reality.

The primitive - sensual type consists in abstraction from some properties of phenomena and objects, while their other properties come to the fore. This type is basic in any human activity, since it is responsible for the perception of the surrounding world.

The isolating type consists in focusing attention on one detail that is most significant for a person, while he does not pay due attention to the rest of the object.

Constructivization is a distraction from general characteristics subject or circumstance.

Also, abstract thinking is divided into:

Are abstraction equally developed in people?

The answer is unequivocal - no. Each of us is endowed with abilities, and they are all different, which is why humanity is so diverse in its views, interests, aspirations. For example, someone writes poetry, while another composes prose, some do not imagine themselves without music, while others prefer to draw in silence. This diversity allows society to develop, to make discoveries in all spheres of life. Living in a world where everyone thinks the same, would that be interesting? However, abstract thinking can and should be developed.

In patients with oligophrenia, mental retardation and some other behavioral deviations, psychiatrists note poorly developed abstract thinking or its complete absence.

Development techniques

The development of abstract thinking is a long and laborious process. But everything is not as scary as it might seem at first glance. In order to develop this type of thinking, a person only needs to devote an hour or an hour and a half to solving logical problems and puzzles two or three times a week. This is a very exciting process, and before you know it, it will become your favorite hobby! In the modern world, there are enough printed publications for the development of logic, as well as exercises and assignments can be found on the Internet. This means that finding such information will not be difficult. For example, there is a popular site that presents tasks of varying complexity.

This kind of thinking originates in the East since the times of the ancient world. It arose as a section of logic. Logic itself is the ability to think and reason, to draw conclusions about things and their essence. Abstract thinking allows you to build theoretical schemes.

With regular exercise, the results will not be long in coming. Within a few weeks, it will be possible to notice that it has become easier to think, make long-term plans, solve issues that previously caused difficulties.

The Little Man is an open book in which you can write anything you want! Children are more receptive to learning and developing any ability. The baby's abilities need to be developed by playing. The modern toy industry offers a rich selection of early development games. For example, it can be small puzzles, mosaics, a banal pyramid. In an older age, in order to teach a child to think, invite him to look at the pictures in books, to explain his understanding of what is happening in them.

Teaching a child to think abstractly is very important. Abstract thinking is not only a guarantee of it creative development, but it is also the ability to question everything, to achieve everything empirically. Developed thinking helps to collect, analyze information and draw independent conclusions, and then back them up with proven facts.

Write a comment

Psychology

Would you like to move on to the next article "The main types of human thinking in psychology"?

Copying of materials is possible only with an active link to the source.

Abstract thinking - the ability to know the essence

The world around a person is full of specific things that can be seen, heard, touched. Nevertheless, there is a lot in our life that neither eyes, nor ears, nor other senses are able to determine. For example, how to imagine infinity, or how to measure the power of love, or what will happen if modern man suddenly move to the distant past? There are answers to these questions, but they are ambiguous, because each person has his own idea of ​​what you cannot see with your eyes, you cannot hear with your ears and you cannot touch with your hands. This feature is given to him thanks to abstract thinking, which is also called abstract-logical.

Abstract logical thinking is the privilege of exclusively people. Animals do not have the ability to draw conclusions, analyze, compare and reflect. They act on the basis of instinct. In contrast to them, a person can not only study the world around him, but also, on the basis of his experience, represent its components in images and symbols and even predict the future, considering an alternative course of events. By the way, to understand what abstract thinking is, its skills are just the same.

What are the forms of abstract thinking

Depending on what questions a person is able to answer about the world around him, there are three forms of abstract thinking:

• concept - allows a person to answer the question: "What is this?", and in one or two words. For example, a woman is standing at a bus stop, and next to her is a tall woman, and a little further away is also a woman, also tall, but extremely beautiful;
• judgment - the ability of a person to understand "what is happening or will happen?" For example, when a bus arrives, the women at the bus stop are likely to board public transport;
• inference - will allow you to draw a conclusion on the topic: "Why did it happen that way?" Suppose a bus drove up to the women at the bus stop, but only one entered it. Why did the other two stay? Apparently, this route does not suit them.

Thus, abstract-logical thinking enables a person to go beyond the visible and tangible boundaries of the surrounding world and plunge into the world that he creates in his mind.

It should be understood that abstract thinking in psychology is the interaction of connections between the causes of phenomena and their consequences based on personal inferences. It has nothing to do with what constitutes the realm of detached emotions and feelings. Intuition also refers to a concept that is not a form of abstract thinking.

The possibilities of abstract thinking

Thanks to a person's ability to see more than the surrounding reality offers, he receives a gift of unique opportunities:

• evaluate objects or phenomena by comparing them with each other;
• analyze what is happening, decomposing the event into its components or combining its disparate parts into a whole;
• abstract from specific circumstances, separating features from the subject;
• generalize or concretize objects or phenomena, finding correspondences between the particular and the general;
• systematize and classify knowledge, extracting the necessary and pushing away the unnecessary for of this moment time.

All these abilities are inherent in every person, but to a different degree. However, it is within man's power to improve these abilities. That is why the question: "How to develop abstract thinking?" relevant at any age, although the sooner the answer is found, the better.

How to develop abstract thinking?

The development of abstract thinking should start from early childhood. The less a person is, the more, according to scientists, it will be easier for him to master a new science for himself. The main thing is to do it gradually and in accordance with age. Parents can adopt many simple tricks:

• play associations - for example, fantasize about what the objects around you are like;
• together with your child, compose fairy tales, the heroes of which can be everything that is at your fingertips - a comb, a refrigerator, a vegetable garden grown in a garden;
• finish each other's drawings or ask your child to continue one given sketch in different versions - what is hidden behind a zigzag across the entire page or what spiral circles can mean;
• to come up with life stories to people who accidentally saw - whether they are just passers-by on the street or strangers from glossy magazines;
• create chains of associations - for example, what words can correspond to the word "rest" or what the word "tasty" implies;
• solve logic puzzles together - remember when we all tried to transport a wolf, a goat and a cabbage to the shore in the same boat?

There are many ways to develop abstract thinking. It is enough to deal with the child for only half an hour a day, and after some time he will amaze you with the consistency of judgments and the ability to draw conclusions.

What is abstraction, abstract thinking

Thinking is one of the most interesting and at the same time complex cognitive processes in our psyche. It is thinking that allows us to learn, explore the world around us, compare, draw conclusions, build judgments and come to conclusions, and, of course, create, create something fundamentally new based on past experience.

Each of us is endowed with this ability, which allows us to successfully interact with each other. You need to understand that our thinking has a certain classification and specific stages of development. The highest form of the development of thinking is the abstract-logical.

This type of thinking is based on the concepts "abstraction", "abstract"; and it is the meaning of the word "abstraction" or "abstract" that makes it possible to better understand the nature of this type of thinking. So, abstraction is the concentration of attention on important, essential aspects of an object or phenomenon. As a result of abstraction, abstraction arises, i.e. some generalization that becomes the result of this distraction.

Forms

It is necessary to consider not only general provisions but also abstract thinking and its forms. After all, it manifests itself in a variety of ways.

So, psychologists distinguish the following forms of abstract thinking:

1. Concepts are the simplest and most basic form of mental activity, since others, more complex ones, are based on it. This form combines many phenomena or objects with similar characteristics into one concept. For example, the concept of "chair" is furniture that is used for sitting, it has a seating surface, a backrest, often legs (one or four), designed for one person.

2. Judgment is a more complex form, which does not consist of one concept, but of several, and with the help of judgment we are able to state the fact of something, and we can also describe objects and phenomena or their interconnection. There are simple and complex judgments:

• Simple is a short phrase such as "It's raining" or "The plane is flying."
• Complex is a chain of short phrases that give a more detailed understanding of what is happening, for example, "It's cold outside, it's snowing and the wind is blowing."

3. Inference - the most complex form, which is the combination of several judgments, on the basis of which we can draw a conclusion, and therefore create a new judgment. For example: "It's cold outside and the wind is blowing, so you need to dress warmly." It is a mental process that allows theoretical knowledge to develop.

Our life consists of constantly operating with both concepts and judgments that lead us to new conclusions. Each of us goes from visual-figurative thinking to an abstract and logical mind.

The main features of the abstract type of thinking are also distinguished:

• Ability to operate with abstract concepts (happiness, law, life, truth).
• Ability to summarize and analyze information.
• The ability to create a system based on the information received.
• Revealing the patterns of the surrounding world without real contact with him (for example, understand that it is cold outside by looking at the weather forecast on the Internet).
• Ability to establish causal relationships.

Development

The main question that interests almost everyone is the development of abstract thinking, how it happens and whether it can be influenced. So, according to experts, this type of mental activity develops in primary school age, starting at the age of 7, so it can be developed already in the first grades.

Of course, play contributes to its development, it is through play that the child is able to assimilate basic concepts, learn to operate them, and also build inferences based on judgments. It is also important to involve the child in solving various problems, especially logical ones or those where there are abstract concepts such as "perimeter" or "area".

Creative activity also helps to develop the ability to think abstractly. This can be drawing, modeling, reading poetry or prose, construction, and so on - the choice of the type of creativity should directly depend on the child's abilities.

If we talk about the development of an abstract and logical type of thinking in adults, then they are also recommended to engage in creativity, delve into the understanding of what art is, and turn to philosophical concepts and categories. It's good to give yourself the opportunity to solve puzzles from time to time, to try to approach the solution of everyday problems outside the box.

All this allows you to take a fresh look at the world around you, and, consequently, expand the functions and possibilities of your thinking. It must be remembered and understood that the ability to think abstractly in different people is not equally developed, so you should not compare your results with someone else's - it is better to follow how you were able to develop abstract thinking in yourself and how it is modified.

And the most important advice

Abstract thinking is a type of thinking in which it is possible, abstracting from small details, to look at the situation as a whole. This property allows you to cross to some extent the border of rules and norms and make new discoveries. In childhood, the development of this ability should be given enough time, because such an approach in the future will help to quickly find non-standard solutions and the most optimal ways out of the current situation. Very often when hiring, employers test potential employees for abstract thinking. The test helps you evaluate how to cope with problems, find solutions, and process unfamiliar information.

Forms

Features of abstract thinking are its various forms: concept, judgment, inference. For the correct perception of the term in question, it is very important to understand the specifics of each of these definitions.

Concept

This is one in which one or more objects are perceived as one or more features, each of which must be significant. A concept can be defined either by one word or by a phrase, for example, "chair", "grass", "math teacher", "tall man".

Judgment

This is a form in which a denial or affirmation of any phrase that describes objects, the surrounding world, patterns and relationships occurs. Judgment, in turn, is of two types: simple and complex. A simple judgment, for example, may sound like this: "a boy draws a house." A complex judgment is expressed in a different form, for example, "the train has started, the platform is empty."

Inference

This is a form of thinking in which a conclusion is made from one judgment (or several), which is a new judgment. The sources that help shape the end result are the premises, and the bottom line is the conclusion. For example: “All birds can fly. The titmouse flies. The tit is a bird. "

Abstract thinking is a process in which a person is able to freely operate with a concept, judgment, inference, that is, categories, the meaning of which can only be understood in relation to everyday life.

Development of abstract thinking

Naturally, this ability is developed differently for everyone. Some people draw beautifully, others write poetry, and still others are able to think abstractly. However, it is quite possible to form it; for this purpose, already in early childhood, the brain should be given reasons for reflection.

Today there are a huge number of different specialized printed publications that train the mind: puzzles, collections of logic problems, and so on. To develop abstract thinking in your child or yourself, you need to devote only 30-50 minutes to such activities twice a week. The effect of such exercises will not be long in coming. It has been proven that at an early age, the brain is much easier to cope with these kinds of tasks. The more workouts, the faster the result will appear.

With a complete absence of the skills to think in general, it is difficult for a person not only to realize himself in creative ones.There may also be problems with the study of disciplines in which there are a lot of abstract key concepts. Correctly developed abstract thinking is an opportunity to discover unsolved mysteries of nature, to know what was previously not known by anyone, to distinguish between falsehood and truth. Besides distinctive feature This is that it does not require direct contact with the object under study, and important conclusions and inferences can be made remotely.

Psychology: thinking, types of thinking

In the thought process, the ratio of words, images, actions can be different. Depending on this, some types are distinguished.

Thinking in the process of historical development

Initially, practical activities directly influenced the formation of human intelligence. So, empirically, people have learned to measure land... On this basis, the formation of a special theoretical science - geometry took place.

The earliest type of mental activity, from a genetic point of view, is practical-active thinking, the primary role in it is played by actions with objects (in animals, this ability is observed in its embryonic form). It becomes clear that this particular type of cognition of oneself and the surrounding world is the basis of a visual-figurative process. His feature- operating in the mind with visual images.

The highest stage is abstract thinking. However, here, too, the activity of the brain is inseparable from practice.

Depending on the content, mental activity is practical, artistic and scientific. Action is a structural unit of a practically-effective way of cognition, the image is artistic, the concept is scientific.

All three types are closely related to each other. Many people have the same ability for action and abstract perception. However, depending on the nature of the tasks to be solved, some one type comes to the fore, then it is replaced by another, then - by the third. For example, to solve everyday issues, practical-effective thinking is required, for a scientific report - abstract.

Types of cognition by the nature of the tasks

The tasks assigned to a person can be standard and non-standard, depending on this, as well as on the operational procedures, the following types of thinking are distinguished.

Algorithmic. Based on pre-established rules, a generally accepted sequence of actions that are required to solve typical tasks.

Heuristic. Productive, aimed at solving non-standard tasks.

Discursive. Based on a set of interrelated inferences.

Creative. Helps a person to make discoveries, to achieve fundamentally new results.

Productive. Leads to new cognitive results.

Reproductive. With the help of this type, a person reproduces the results obtained earlier. In this case, thinking and memory are inseparable.

Abstract thinking is the most important tool in human hands, which makes it possible to comprehend the deepest layers of truth, to know the unknown, to make a great discovery, to create a work of art.