What is thinking? Definition. How to develop thinking: step by step instructions

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

An integral part of human life is thinking. The definition of this concept was given in antiquity. Scientists and thinkers have been interested in this issue at all times. And today, this phenomenon cannot be considered fully understood.

History of the study of thinking

At all times, scientists were interested in such a phenomenon as thinking. The definition of this concept was given in the ancient period. At the same time, special attention was paid to cognizing the essence of invisible phenomena. The philosopher Parmenides was the first to address this issue. It is to him that mankind owes the emergence of such concepts as truth and opinion.

Plato considered this issue a little differently. He believed that thinking is a reflection of the cosmic essence that the human soul possessed before entering the earthly body. He believed that this is not a creative activity, but a reproductive one, aimed at "remembering" the knowledge that was "forgotten". Despite the rather fantastic reasoning, it is Plato who deserves the merit in studying such a thing as intuition.

Aristotle gave solidan explanation of what thinking is. The definition included such categories as judgment and inference. The philosopher developed a whole science - logic. Subsequently, on the basis of his research, Raymond Lull created the so-called "thinking machine". Descartes perceived thinking as a spiritual category, and considered systematic doubt to be the main method of cognition. Spinoza, in turn, believed that this is a physical mode of action. The main merit of Kant was the division of thinking into synthetic and analytical.

Thinking: Definition

The processes taking place in the human brain have always been of great interest. Therefore, there are many theories about what thinking is. The definition suggests the following: this is a cognitive activity that is carried out by a person. This is a kind of way of perceiving and reflecting reality.

The main result of mental activity is a thought (it can manifest itself in the form of awareness, concept, idea, or in other forms). At the same time, this process should not be confused with sensation. Thinking, according to scientists, is inherent only to humans, but animals and lower forms of life organization also have sensory perceptions.

It is worth noting a number of distinctive features that characterize thinking. The definition of this term gives the right to say that it allows you to receive information about those phenomena that cannot be perceived through direct contact. Thus, there is a relationshipthinking with analytical abilities. It is worth noting that a person's ability to think manifests itself gradually, as the individual develops. So, when a person cognizes the norms of the language, the characteristics of the environment and other forms of life, it begins to acquire new forms and deep meanings.

Signs of thinking

Thinking has a number of defining characteristics. The following are considered basic:

• this process allows the subject to navigate in interdisciplinary relationships, as well as to understand the essence of each specific phenomenon;
• it arises on the basis of existing theoretical knowledge, as well as previously performed practical actions;
• thinking process is always based on fundamental knowledge;
• as it develops, thinking can go far beyond practical activities and existing ideas about certain phenomena.

Basic mental operations

The definition of the word "thinking" at first glance does not reveal the whole essence of this process. To better understand its meaning, you should familiarize yourself with the basic operations that reveal the essence of the term:

• analysis - division of the studied subject into components;
• synthesis - identifying relationships and combining disconnected parts;
• comparison - identifying similar and different qualities of objects;
• classification - identifying the main features with subsequent grouping by them;
• specification - selection of a certain category from the total mass;
• generalization - unionobjects and phenomena into groups;
• abstraction - the study of a particular subject independently of others.

Aspects of thinking

Thinking and approach to problem solving are influenced by significant aspects that are formed in the process of human life. It is worth noting the following significant points:

• the national aspect is the mentality and specific traditions that are historically embedded in a person living in a certain area;
• social and political norms - are formed under the pressure of society;
• personal interests are a subjective factor that may affect the final solution of a problematic issue.

Types of thinking

As already mentioned, in the ancient period this concept was defined. The types of thinking are:

• abstract - implies the use of associative characters;
• logical - established constructions and common concepts are used;
• abstract-logical - combines the operation of symbols and standard constructions;
• divergent - search for several equal answers to the same question;
• convergent - allows only one correct way to solve the problem;
• practical - implies the development of goals, plans and algorithms;
• theoretical - implies cognitive activity;
• creative - aims to create a new "product";
• critical - checking available data;
• spatial -study of an object in all its diversity of states and properties;
• intuitive - a fleeting process with no well-defined forms.

Thinking phases

Researchers pay attention to the active, dynamic nature of thinking. Considering that its main goal is to solve problems, the following main phases can be distinguished:

• awareness of a problem (is the result of a flow of information that has been processed over a period of time);
• search for a possible solution and the formation of alternative hypotheses;
• comprehensive testing of hypotheses for their applicability in practice;
• problem solving is manifested in getting an answer to a problematic question and fixing it in the mind.

Levels of thinking

Determining the level of thinking first interested Aaron Beck, who is rightfully considered the father of cognitive psychology. He believed that at the unconscious level, a person is guided by beliefs and established patterns. In this regard, the following levels of thinking are distinguished:

• arbitrary thoughts that are on the surface of consciousness (they are easy to realize and control);
• automatic thoughts are some stereotypes that have become established both in society and in the mind of a person (in most cases they are laid in the process of education and training);
• cognitive beliefs are complex constructs and patterns that occur at the unconscious level (they are difficult to change).

Thinking process

Definitionprocess of thinking says that this is a set of actions by which a person solves certain logical problems. As a result, fundamentally new knowledge can also be obtained. This category has the following distinguishing features:

• the process is indirect;
• builds on previous knowledge;
• depends a lot on the contemplation of the environment, but is not limited to it;
• connections between different categories are reflected in verbal form;
• has practical significance.

Qualities of the mind

Determining the level of thinking is inextricably linked with the definition of the qualities of the mind. These include the following:

• independence - the ability to generate original ideas and thoughts without resorting to the help of others, without using standard schemes and without succumbing to outside influence;
• curiosity - the need for new information;
• speed - the time that passes from the moment a problem is recognized to the generation of a final solution;
• breadth - the ability to apply knowledge from different industries to the solution of the same problem;
• simultaneity - the ability to look at a problem from different angles and generate versatile ways to resolve it;
• depth is the degree of mastery of a particular topic, as well as understanding the essence of the situation (implies an understanding of the causes of certain events, as well as the ability to foresee a further scenario for the development of events);
• flexibility - the ability to take into account the specific conditions in whichproblem, moving away from generally accepted patterns and algorithms;
• logicality - establishing the exact sequence of actions in solving problems;
• criticality - the tendency to deeply evaluate each of the emerging ideas.

What methods of determining the level of thinking are known?

Researchers have noted that the thought processes of different people proceed differently. In this regard, there is a need for such work as determining the level of logical thinking. It should be noted that quite a lot of methods have been developed on this issue. The most commonly used are:

• "20 words" is a test that helps to determine the ability of a person to memorize.
• "Anagrams" - a technique that is aimed at determining the ability to combinatorial thinking. The test also reveals a propensity to communicate.
• "Identification of essential features" - a method of determining thinking, which is designed to reveal a person's ability to distinguish between primary and secondary phenomena.
• "Learning words" - determines how developed the abilities associated with the memorization and reproduction of information. The test also allows you to assess the state of memory and concentration in people suffering from mental illness.
• "Quantitative relations" - a test for the level of logical thinking in adolescents and adults. The conclusion is made on the basis of the solution of 18 problems.
• "Link's Cube" is a technique that aims to identifya person of special abilities (observation, a tendency to analyze, the ability to identify patterns, etc.). By solving constructive problems, one can assess the degree of a person's ingenuity.
• "Building a fence" - a test for the level of development of thinking. It is revealed how well the subject understands the final goal, how accurately he follows the instructions. Pace and coordination are also considered determining factors.

How to develop thinking: step by step instructions

If the test for determining the level of thinking showed unsatisfactory results, do not immediately give up. You can develop this ability as follows:

• write down your ideas, as well as the progress of solving the problem (this allows you to use more parts of the brain);
• pay attention to logic games (the most striking example is chess);
• buy several collections of crosswords or puzzles and devote all your free time to solving them;
• in order to activate brain activity, a break in the pattern is necessary (this may be an unexpected change in the daily routine, a new way of doing habitual actions);
• physical activity (it is best to give preference to dancing, as they make you constantly think and remember the pattern of movements);
• do fine art to help you find new ways to present your ideas;
• make your brain absorb new information (you can start learning a foreign language, watch a documentary, read an encyclopedia section, etc.).etc.);
• approach problem solving systematically, not randomly (this process includes an established sequence of stages - from recognizing the problem to developing a final solution);
• don't forget about rest, because for the brain to work most productively, it needs time to recover.

Thinking and psychology

It is worth noting that this concept is being studied very actively in psychology. The definition of thinking is simple: the totality of processes of mental activity on which cognitive activity is based. This term is associated with such categories as attention, association, perception, judgment, and others. It is believed that thinking is one of the highest functions of the human psyche. It is considered as an indirect reflection of reality in a generalized form. The essence of the process is to identify the essence of objects and phenomena and establish relationships between them.