How do you develop abstract thinking?

Everyday Ways to Tap Into Abstract Thinking

  1. Thinking About Concepts. …
  2. Coming Up With Theories. …
  3. Using Your Imagination. …
  4. Using Metaphors and Analogies. …
  5. Get Some Distance with Diffuse Thinking. …
  6. Reframe the Problem in a New Way. …
  7. Keep Asking Why (Over and Over) …
  8. Look for Patterns.

Can abstract reasoning be improved?

Although you cannot significantly improve your abstract reasoning skills within a very short time, you can learn and practise abstract reasoning test strategies, get familiar with a large number of logical rules that define series of shapes, and eliminate stress factors to quickly improve your performance.

What’s an example of abstract thinking?

In abstract thinking, we process information received through our senses and try to connect it to the world. Here’s another example of abstract thinking: two supervisors have been asked to inspect 100 boxes of mangoes to see if they’ve ripened. Supervisor A checks 10 mangoes per box.

What does poor abstract thinking mean?

A candidate who obtains a very low Abstract Reasoning score may struggle to see the ‘big picture’, conceptualise complex problems, detect relationships between ideas, or learn new skills quickly.

What are the 4 stages of abstract thought?

This is a film where the concept of abstract thought is discussed in significant detail, Riley’s imaginary friend Bing Bong (Richard Kind) leading Sadness and Joy into a room dedicated to its four stages: non-objective fragmentation, deconstruction, two-dimensional and non-figurative.

What are abstract thinking skills?

Abstract reasoning, also known as abstract thinking, involves the ability to understand and think with complex concepts that, while real, are not tied to concrete experiences, objects, people, or situations. This type of reasoning involves thinking about ideas and principles that are often symbolic or hypothetical.

How do I know if I am an abstract thinker?

An abstract thinker looks at the big picture to see how everything fits together—what’s the underlying message, the patterns and structures of the task at hand and the alternatives to make everything work together. The definition of an abstract thinker highlights these aspects.

What are three abilities of abstract thinking?

These include:

  • Using metaphors and analogies.
  • Understanding relationships between verbal and nonverbal ideas.
  • Spatial reasoning and mentally manipulating and rotating objects.
  • Complex reasoning, such as using critical thinking, the scientific method, and other approaches to reasoning through problems.


Why do I struggle with abstract concepts?

Intellectual disabilities. Individuals with intellectual impairment often have difficulties using and understanding abstract thinking skills. Dementia. Often the parts of the brain involved in many types of dementia are the same parts that control abstract thinking skills.

What are abstract thinkers good at?

Abstract Thinking And Intelligence



Someone who thinks more abstractly is able to do better on standardized intelligence tests. Abstract thinkers are better with grasping language and communicating, can see what’s not there, and understand concepts that are important to humanity’s development.



What part of the brain is responsible for abstract thinking?

Rostral prefrontal cortex

Rostral prefrontal cortex (RPFC) supports self-generated, abstract thought processing. Flexibly attending towards and processing abstract thoughts develop in adolescence.

How can I improve my concrete thinking?

If someone in your life has a condition that makes them prone to concrete thinking, you can communicate more effectively with these tips:

  1. Avoid idioms, metaphors, and analogies. …
  2. Be as specific as possible. …
  3. Use photographs or illustrations. …
  4. Limit jokes and sarcasm.

In which stage does abstract thinking develop?

Jean Piaget, a developmental psychologist, argued that children develop abstract thinking during the last stage of their development, also known as the formal operational stage (11-16 years). Although, many gifted children develop abstract thinking way before the last stage.



Is abstract thinking imagination?

Abstract thinking skills explained with examples – what their …

What happens if you are good at abstract reasoning?

People who have strong abstract reasoning tend to be better at learning new skills, adapting and adjusting their approaches, seeing the big picture, and thinking strategically. It is also one of the cognitive abilities that has been consistently linked to better work performance and leadership effectiveness.

How do you master abstract reasoning?

Top 10 Tips To Pass Your Abstract Reasoning Test

  1. Step 1: Get familiar with the test provider’s format. …
  2. Step 2: Don’t practice only with mock tests. …
  3. Step 3: Read the instructions carefully. …
  4. Step 4: Don’t get tripped up. …
  5. Step 5: Stay calm and don’t lose confidence. …
  6. Step 6: Keep an eye on the time.

How can I improve my reasoning skills?

Here are the best methods to train your mind to logically reason;

  1. 1) Try to differentiate between Observation and Inferences: …
  2. 2) Make logical conclusions by thinking in conditional statements. …
  3. 3) Play card games. …
  4. 4) Read/watch murder mysteries. …
  5. 5) Try to recognise patterns. …
  6. 6) Have basic analytical values.




What does it mean when you have high abstract reasoning?

Abstract reasoning, also known as abstract thinking, involves the ability to understand and think with complex concepts that, while real, are not tied to concrete experiences, objects, people, or situations.

Why do I struggle with abstract reasoning?

Injuries from accidents and prenatal exposures, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, can impact the areas of the brain that make abstract thinking possible. Intellectual disabilities. Individuals with intellectual impairment often have difficulties using and understanding abstract thinking skills. Dementia.

Are abstract thinkers more intelligent?

Abstract thinking skills are associated with high levels of intelligence. And since abstract thinking is associated with creativity, it may often be found in gifted individuals who are innovators. Learning disabilities can inhibit the development of abstract reasoning skills.



At what age does abstract thinking develop?

Marini and Case (1994) show that a capacity for abstract reasoning begins to emerge in both social and non-social domains about the age of 11 or 12 and that further development of this ability is constrained by the number of abstract elements that can be coordinated at one time, independent of the particular content of

How do I know if I am an abstract thinker?

An abstract thinker looks at the big picture to see how everything fits together—what’s the underlying message, the patterns and structures of the task at hand and the alternatives to make everything work together. The definition of an abstract thinker highlights these aspects.

Which part of the brain controls abstract thinking?

the prefrontal cortex

The study, in which monkeys apply rules about “same” and “different” to a myriad of images, shows that the prefrontal cortex — the part of the brain directly behind the eyes — works on the abstract assignment rather than simply recalling the pictures.

What is the opposite of abstract thinking?

Concrete thinking is sometimes described in terms of its opposite: abstract thinking. This is the ability to consider concepts, make generalizations, and think philosophically. Concrete thinking is a necessary first step in understanding abstract ideas.



What is abstract intelligence?

Abstract intelligence is the human enquiry of both natural and artificial intelligence at the neural, cognitive, functional, and logical levels reductively from the bottom up.

What is the difference between concrete thinking and abstract thinking?

Concrete thinking refers to the thinking on the surface whereas abstract thinking is related to thinking in depth. Concrete thinking does not have any depth. It just refers to thinking in the periphery. On the other hand, abstract thinking goes under the surface.