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

An integral part of human life is thinking. The definition of this concept was given in ancient times. This question was of interest to scientists and thinkers at all times. And today this phenomenon can not be considered fully studied.

History of the study of thinking

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

Platon considered this question a little differently. He believed that thinking is a reflection of the cosmic essence that the human soul possessed before settling into the earthly body. He believed that this is not a creative activity, but a reproductive one, aimed at "remembering" those knowledge that were "forgotten". Despite rather fantastic arguments, it is Plato who deserves credit in studying such a concept as intuition.

Aristotle gave a thorough explanation of what is thinking. The definition included categories such as judgment and inference. The philosopher developed a whole science - logic. Subsequently, on the basis of his research, Raymond Lulli created the so-called "thought machine."

Descartes perceived thinking as a spiritual category, and the main method of cognition was systematic doubt. 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 occurring in the human brain have always been of increasing interest. Therefore, there are many theories about what such thinking is. The definition suggests the following: it is a cognitive activity that is carried out by a person. This is a kind of way of perception and reflection of reality.

The main result of thinking activity is thought (it can manifest itself in the form of awareness, concept, idea, or in other forms). Do not confuse this process with the feeling. Thinking, according to scientists, is inherent only to man, but sensory perceptions are also possessed by animals and lower forms of organizing life.

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 can not be perceived by direct contact. Thus, there is a correlation of thinking with analytical abilities.

It is worth noting that the human ability to think is manifested gradually, as the individual develops. So, when a person learns the norms of the language, the characteristics of the environment and other forms of life activity, it begins to acquire new forms and deep meanings.

Signs of Thinking

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

• This process allows the subject to orient himself in intersubject communications, and also to understand the essence of each particular phenomenon;
• It arises on the basis of the available theoretical knowledge, as well as previously performed practical actions;
• The thinking process always relies on fundamental knowledge;
• As the development develops, thinking can go far beyond the limits of practical activity and the existing notions of 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, it is worth familiarizing with the basic operations that reveal the essence of the term:

• Analysis - the division of the studied subject into components;
• Synthesis - the identification of interrelations and the unification of disconnected parts;
• Comparison - the identification of similar and different qualities of objects;
• Classification - the identification of the main features followed by grouping on them;
• Specification - the allocation of a certain category of the total mass;
• Generalization - the union of objects and phenomena in groups;
• Abstraction - the study of a specific subject, independent of others.

Aspects of Thinking

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

• The national aspect is the mentality and specific traditions that are historically laid in a person living in a certain locality;
• Social and political norms - are formed under the pressure of society;
• Personal interests are a subjective factor that can influence the final solution of a problematic issue.

Types of thinking

As already mentioned, even in the ancient period this concept was given a definition. Types of thinking are as follows:

• Abstract - implies the use of associative symbols;
• Logical - well-established constructions and common concepts are used;
• Abstract-logical - combines the operation of symbols and standard constructions;
• Divergent - search for multiple equal answers to the same question;
• Convergent - allows only one single right 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 - verification of available data;
• Spatial - the study of the object in all the diversity of its states and properties;
• Intuitive - a quick process with the absence of clearly defined forms.

Phases of thinking

Researchers pay attention to the active, dynamic nature of thinking. Given that its main goal is to solve problems, we can distinguish such major phases:

• Awareness of the 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;
• The solution of the problem manifests itself in obtaining an answer to the problem question and fixing it in the mind.

Levels of thinking

The determination of the level of thinking first interested Aaron Beck, who rightfully is considered the father of cognitive psychology. He believed that at the unconscious level, people are guided by beliefs and established patterns. In this regard, distinguish such levels of thinking:

• Arbitrary thoughts that are on the surface of consciousness (they are easy to understand and control);
• Automatic thoughts are some stereotypes that have settled both in society and in the mind of a person (in most cases they are laid down in the process of education and training);
• Cognitive beliefs are complex constructions and schemes that arise at the unconscious level (they are difficult to change).

The Thinking Process

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

• The process is of an indirect nature;
• Relies on previously acquired knowledge;
• Largely depends on the contemplation of the environment, but does not reduce to it;
• The links between the various categories are reflected in verbal form;
• Has practical significance.

Qualities of the mind

The definition of 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 not succumbing to outside influence;
• Curiosity - the need for new information;
• Speed - the time that passes from the moment of awareness of the problem to the generation of the final decision;
• Latitude - the ability to apply knowledge from different industries to solving the same problem;
• Simultaneity - the ability to look at the problem from different sides and generate a variety of ways to solve it;
• Depth - is the degree of ownership of a particular topic, as well as understanding the essence of the situation (implies understanding the causes of certain events, as well as the ability to anticipate a further scenario of events);
• Flexibility - the ability to take into account the specific conditions in which the problem arises, moving away from the generally accepted patterns and algorithms;
• Logic - the establishment of an exact sequence of actions in solving problems;
• Criticality is the tendency to deeply assess each of the emerging ideas.

What methods of determining the level of thinking are known?

The researchers noted that the thinking processes of different people are not the same. In this connection, there is a need for such work as determining the level of logical thinking. It should be noted that a lot of methods have been developed on this issue. The most commonly used are the following:

• "20 words" is a test that helps to identify a person's ability to remember.
• "Anagrams" - a technique that is aimed at determining the ability to combinatorial thinking. The test also reveals a propensity for communication.
• "Identification of essential signs" is a method for determining thinking, which is designed to identify the ability of a person to distinguish between primary and secondary phenomena.
• "Learning words" - determines how well developed abilities are associated with remembering and reproducing information. Also, the test allows you to assess the state of memory and concentration in people with 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.
• "Cube Link" is a technique that is aimed at revealing special abilities in a person (observability, propensity to analyze, ability to reveal regularities, etc.). By solving constructive problems, one can assess the degree of human ingenuity.
• "Building a fence" - a test for the level of development of thinking. It is revealed how well the subject understands the ultimate goal, how accurately he follows instructions. Determining factors are also considered the pace and coordination of actions.

How to develop thinking: step by step instruction

If the test for determining the level of thinking has shown unsatisfactory results, do not immediately give up. Develop this ability as follows:

• Write down your ideas, as well as the course of solving the problem (this allows you to use more parts of the brain);
• Pay attention to logical games (chess is the most striking example);
• Buy a few collections of crosswords or puzzles and devote them to solving all your free time;
• To activate brain activity, a break in the template is necessary (this may be an unexpected change in the daily routine, a new way of doing the usual activities);
• Physical exercise (it is better to give preference to dances, as they make you constantly think and remember the pattern of movements);
• Engage in fine art, which will help you find new ways of submitting your ideas;
• Make your brain learn new information (you can start learning a foreign language, watch a documentary, read the section of the encyclopedia, etc.);
• Approach the problem solving systematically, rather than chaotically (this process includes the established sequence of stages - from the awareness of the problem to the final decision);
• Do not forget about the rest, because to make the brain work most productively, he needs to give time to recovery.

Thinking and Psychology

It is worth noting that this concept is very actively studied in psychology. The definition of thinking is simple: the totality of the processes of mental activity on which cognitive activity is based. Associated with this term are categories such as attention, association, perception, judgment, and others. It is believed that thinking is one of the highest functions of the human psyche. It is regarded as a mediated reflection of reality in a generalized form. The essence of the process is the identification of the essences of objects and phenomena and the establishment of interrelations between them.