Development of thinking. Abstract thinking

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Abstract thinking person is one of the cognitive activity, which allows you to think abstractly, in other words, contributing to the abstraction from minor details in order to be able to consider the situation that has arisen or the phenomenon as a whole. This type the mental activity of the subjects contributes to the vision of the completeness of the picture, allowing not to fixate on insignificant details.

The abstract thinking of a person provides an opportunity to step beyond the boundaries of prescribed norms and sets of rules, which leads to the accomplishment of new discoveries.

The development of abstract thinking from an early age should occupy a central place in children's formation, since such an approach makes it easier to find unexpected solutions, clues and find unusual ways out of situations that have arisen.

Abstract thinking, therefore, is a variation of human cognition, which is the allocation of essential qualities and interactions of objects, abstraction from their other qualities and connections, which are considered private and insignificant. Such a theoretical generalization contributes to the reflection of the key patterns of the objects or phenomena under study, as well as the prediction of new, previously unknown patterns. Abstract objects are indivisible formations that make up the content of human mental activity, namely, inferences, mathematical elements, constructions, judgments, laws, concepts, etc.

Abstract logical thinking

Human thinking is a mysterious phenomenon, as a result of which psychologists are constantly striving to systematize, standardize and classify it, while emphasizing the abstract-logical cognitive function. Such attention is provoked by the fact that this type of thinking itself contributes to finding non-standard solution strategies, increasing people's adaptive skills to constantly changing conditions.

Abstraction is called making mental accents, isolating some structures, elements of a certain set and removing them from other details of such a set. Abstraction is one of the fundamental processes of the subject's mental functioning, which makes it possible to transform various qualities of objects into an object of analysis and is based on sign-symbol mediation. This theoretical generalization helps to reflect the main patterns of the studied objects or events, analyze them and predict qualitatively new patterns.

The need for abstract thinking is due to circumstances in which the differences that arise between the direction of an intellectual problem and the existence of a phenomenon in its certainty become obvious.

Abstractions can be primitive-sensual, generalizing, idealizing, isolating, and there are also abstractions of actual infinity and constructivization.

Primitive-sensory abstraction consists in abstracting from some properties of objects and events, highlighting their other features (for example, highlighting the configuration of an object, abstracting from its structure and vice versa). Primitive sensory abstraction is inevitably connected with any process of perception.

Generalizing abstraction is aimed at creating a generalized idea of the phenomenon, abstracted from individual deviations. The consequence of this abstraction is the selection of a common property of the objects under study. This kind of abstract thinking is considered fundamental in mathematical logic.

Idealizing abstraction or idealization is the replacement of a real empirical object with an idealized scheme, abstracted from real-life shortcomings. As a result, the concepts of ideal objects are formed, for example, “straight line” or “absolutely black body”.

Isolating abstraction is inextricably linked with the function of involuntary attention, since in this case it is possible to single out the essence on which attention is focused.

The abstraction from the impossibility of fixing each element of an infinite set, in other words, infinite sets are presented as finite, is the abstraction of actual infinity.

Constructivization is a distraction from the vagueness of the limits of real objects, that is, their "coarseness".

In addition, abstractions can be divided according to their goals into formal and meaningful ones.

The selection of certain properties of an object that do not exist by themselves (for example, shape or color) is a formal abstraction.

A method of highlighting the properties of objects that are not perceived by the senses by setting a certain relation of the type of equality in the subject area (for example, identity or equivalence).

The development of abstract thinking in people was significantly influenced by the emergence and creation of a language system for communicative interaction. Words began to be assigned to various phenomena, abstractions, which made it possible to reproduce their meaningful meaning, which would not depend on the situations concerning the corresponding objects, as well as their properties. Speech provides an opportunity to arbitrarily and freely evoke ideas in the mind and consolidate reproductive skills. It was thanks to the emergence of language systems that the reproduction of ideas and the functioning of the imagination were facilitated. The concept is the primary and prevailing form of abstract mental representation of objects and events. In the process of an individual's cognitive activity, one of the key functions of a concept is to single out, by means of representing in a generalized configuration, objects of a certain group according to some specific (essential) features.

The concept as a form of thought, or as a mental formation, is the result of a generalization of objects of a certain group and a mental definition of this group according to a specific set of features common to objects of this group and distinctive properties for them.

The same object can be both a variation of a sensory-sensitive judgment and a form of a concept.

Essential and unimportant attributes of objects, necessary, random, quantitative and qualitative, can be directly in the concepts. In addition, the concepts differ in the degree of generality. They can be less general or more general, as well as extremely general. Concepts are also subject to generalization.

Abstract thinking examples of its brightest application can be traced in science, because the basis of any scientific activity is first the collection and then the systematization of information and knowledge in various fields.

Forms of abstract thinking

Abstract mental activity is characterized by several features. In the first turn, the abstract thinking of a person is purposeful and active, through which individuals can ideally transform objects. Mental activity allows you to highlight and fix something common, meaningful and repetitive in objects, that is, reality is reflected through generalized images.

The function of thinking is mediated by sensory information and past experience. In other words, thanks to thinking, an indirect reflection of reality occurs. In addition, the mental function is inseparably linked with language. It is a means of formulating, consolidating and translating thoughts.

The abstract thinking of a person is an active process, which consists in the reflection of objective reality in the form of concepts, judgments, and conclusions.

Concepts are thoughts that reflect common and important features of objects, events and processes of the real world. They are a reflection of a single thought of significant properties of objects. The concept can be applied to several or to one class of homogeneous objects and phenomena characterized by the same features.

Concepts are divided by scope and content. According to the scope, they can be empty or non-empty. Concepts whose volume is zero are called empty. Non-empty concepts are characterized by a volume containing at least one real-life object. In turn, non-empty concepts are classified into general and singular. Concepts related to a set of objects are called singular, if such a set implies a single whole. General concepts contain in their own scope a class of objects, and they are applicable to any element of this class (for example, a star, a state).

The concepts of the general plan are divided into registering and non-registering. Concepts in which the mass of elements contained in them can be accounted for and fixed are called registering. Registering concepts are characterized by a finite volume.

General concepts related to a non-specific number of elements are called non-registrative. Non-registering concepts are characterized by an infinite scope.

In accordance with the content, concepts are divided into positive and negative, collective and non-collective, irrelative and correlative, concrete and abstract.

Positive concepts are called, the essence of which is the qualities inherent in the subject, for example, literate, believer. Concepts, the content of which shows the absence of certain features of the object, are called negative, for example, disorder.

Collective refers to concepts that mean the signs of a separate set of elements that represent integrity, for example, a team. The content of the collective concept cannot be attributed to its individual element. Non-collective concepts are those that mean the properties that characterize each of its elements, for example, a region or a star.

A concept that implies an object or a set of objects, as something that exists independently, is called concrete, for example, a book.

An abstract concept is a concept in which a property of an object or a relationship between them is hidden, for example, courage, friendship.

Irrelevant concepts are those that reflect objects that exist separately and outside of their relationship with other objects, for example, student, law.

Correlative concepts are those that store properties in themselves that indicate the connection of one concept with another, their relationship, for example, the plaintiff - the defendant.

A judgment is a construction of mental activity through which the presence or absence of any relationships and connections between objects is revealed. hallmark judgment is the assertion or rejection of any information about any object. It is true and false. Correspondence to reality determines the truth of a judgment, since it does not depend on the attitude of subjects to it, and therefore is of an objective nature. False judgment is the distortion of the objective features and relationships of the objects of thought.

The construction of mental activity, which allows one or a pair of judgments to derive a qualitatively new judgment, is called a conclusion.

All conclusions contain premises, conclusions and conclusions. The starting judgments from which a new judgment emerges are called premises of the inference. The conclusion is called a new judgment, obtained through the product of logical operations with premises. Conclusion is called a logical process, consisting in the transition from premises directly to the conclusion.

abstract logical thinking examples can be traced in almost every thought process - "Judge Ivanov cannot take part in the consideration of the case if he is a victim." From this statement, one can deduce a judgment that is a premise, namely, "Judge Ivanov is a victim." From this follows the conclusion: "consequently, Judge Ivanov cannot take part in the consideration of the case.”

The relationship of the logical sequence seen between the conclusion and the premises suggests the presence of a meaningful relationship between the premises. In other words, if there is no meaningful connection between judgments, then the conclusion of the conclusion will be impossible.

Speaker of the Medical and Psychological Center "PsychoMed"

A variety of information about the outside world enters our brain through the senses in the form of sounds, smells, tactile sensations, visual images, nuances of taste. But this is raw information that still needs to be processed. This requires mental activity and its highest form - abstract thinking. It is it that allows not only to make a detailed analysis of the signals entering the brain, but also to generalize, systematize, categorize them and develop an optimal behavior strategy.

- the result of a long evolution, in its development it has gone through several stages. Abstract thinking is today considered its highest form. Perhaps this is not the last step in the development of human cognitive processes, but so far other, more advanced forms of mental activity are unknown.

Three stages in the development of thinking

The formation of abstract thinking is a process of development and complication of cognitive activity. Its main regularities are characteristic of both anthropogenesis (the development of mankind) and ontogenesis (the development of a child). In both cases, thinking goes through three stages, increasingly increasing the degree of abstractness or abstraction.

This form of cognitive processes begins its path with visual-effective thinking. It is concrete in nature and is associated with objective activity. In fact, it is carried out only in the process of manipulating objects, and abstract reflections are impossible for him.
The second stage of development is figurative thinking, which is characterized by operations with sensory images. It can already be abstract and is the basis of the process of creating new images, that is, imagination. At this stage, both generalization and systematization appear, but still figurative thinking is limited to direct, concrete experience.
The possibility of overcoming the framework of concreteness appears only at the stage of abstract thinking. It is this type of mental activity that allows one to achieve high level generalizations and operate not with images, but with abstract signs - concepts. Therefore, abstract thinking is also called conceptual.

Figurative thinking wears, that is, it resembles circles diverging in different directions from a stone thrown into the lake - the central image. It is quite chaotic, the images intertwine, interact, evoke. In contrast, abstract thinking is linear, thoughts in it line up in a certain sequence, subject to strict laws. The laws of abstract thinking were discovered in the era of Antiquity and combined into a special field of knowledge called logic. Therefore, abstract thinking is also called logical.

Abstract Thinking Tools

If figurative thinking operates with images, then abstract thinking operates with concepts. Words are his main tool, and this type of thinking exists in speech form. It is the speech formulations of thoughts that allow you to build them logically and sequentially.

Words organize and facilitate thinking. If something is not clear to you, try to talk about this problem, or even better, explain it to someone. And believe me, in the process of this explanation, you yourself will understand even a very difficult issue. And if there are no people willing to listen to your reasoning, then explain to your reflection in the mirror. This is even better and more efficient, since the reflection does not interrupt, and you can also feel free to express yourself in expressions.

The clarity and clarity of speech directly affects mental activity and vice versa - a well-formulated statement requires its comprehension and internal study. Therefore, abstract thinking is sometimes called inner speech, which, although it also uses words, is still different from ordinary, sound:

it consists not only of words, but also includes images and emotions;
inner speech is more chaotic and broken, especially if a person does not try to specially organize his thinking;
it has a convoluted character, when some of the words are skipped and attention is focused on key, significant concepts.

Inner speech resembles the statements of a small child 2-3 years old. Children at this age also designate only key concepts, everything else in their head is occupied by images that they have not yet learned to call words. For example, only a baby who has just woken up exclaims joyfully: "Bye-bye - a woman!" Translated into "adult" language, this means: "It's great that while I was sleeping, my grandmother came to us."

Fragmentation and conciseness of inner speech is one of the obstacles to the clarity of abstract-logical thinking. Therefore, it is necessary to train not only external, but also internal speech, achieving the most accurate mental formulations in the process of solving complex problems. Such an ordered inner speech is also called inner pronunciation.

The use of words in thinking is a manifestation of the sign function of consciousness - what distinguishes it from the primitive thinking of animals. Each word is a sign, that is, an abstraction associated with a real object or phenomenon by meaning. Marshak has a poem "Cat's House", and there is such a phrase: "This is a chair - they sit on it, this is a table - they eat at it." This is a very good illustration of meanings - the connection of a word with an object. This connection exists only in a person’s head; in reality, the combination of sounds “table” has nothing to do with real object. In another language, a completely different combination of sounds is endowed with such a meaning.

The establishment of such connections, and even more so the operation in the mind not with specific images, but with abstract signs, words, numbers, formulas, is a very complex mental process. Therefore, people gradually master it up to adolescence, and even then not all and not fully.

Logic is the science of conceptual thinking

Logic, as the science of thinking, was born more than 2 thousand years ago in Ancient Greece. At the same time, the main types of logical thinking were described and the laws of logic were formulated, which remain unshakable to this day.

Two kinds of thinking: deduction and induction

The elementary unit of abstract-logical thinking is a concept. Several concepts combined into a coherent thought is a judgment. They are affirmative and negative. For example:

“In autumn, leaves fall from the trees” - affirmative.
“In winter, there are no leaves on the trees” - negative.

Judgments are either true or false. Thus, the proposition “In winter, young leaves grow on trees” is false.

From two or more judgments, one can draw a conclusion or conclusion, and this whole construction is called a syllogism. For example:

1st premise (judgment): "In autumn, leaves fall from the trees."
2nd premise (judgment): "Now the leaves have begun to fly around the trees."
Conclusion (syllogism): "Autumn has come."

Depending on the method on the basis of which the conclusion is made, there are two types of thinking: deductive and inductive.

Method of induction. From several particular judgments, a general conclusion is drawn. For example: “schoolboy Vasya does not study in the summer”, “schoolchild Petya does not study in the summer”, “schoolgirls Masha and Olya also do not study in the summer”. Consequently, "schoolchildren do not study in the summer." Induction is not a very reliable method, since an absolutely correct conclusion can be drawn only if all special cases are taken into account, and this is difficult, and sometimes impossible.

deduction method. In this case, reasoning is built on the basis of general premises and information given in the judgments. That is, the ideal option: one general judgment, one particular judgment, and the conclusion is also a particular judgment. Example:

“All schoolchildren have holidays in the summer.”
"Vasya is a schoolboy."
"Vasya has a vacation in the summer."

This is how the most elementary conclusions in logical thinking look like. True, in order to draw correct conclusions, certain conditions or laws must be observed.

Laws of logic

There are four basic laws, and three of them were formulated by Aristotle:

The law of identity. According to him, any thought expressed within the framework of logical reasoning must be identical to itself, that is, remain unchanged throughout the entire reasoning or dispute.
The law of contradiction. If two statements (judgments) contradict each other, then one of them is necessarily false.
Law of the excluded middle. Any statement can be either false or true, something else is impossible.

In the 17th century, the philosopher Leibniz supplemented these three with a fourth law of "sufficient reason." The proof of the truth of any idea or judgment is possible only on the basis of the use of reliable arguments.

It is believed that it is enough to follow these laws, be able to correctly make judgments and draw conclusions, and you can solve any problem. difficult task. But now it has been proven that logical thinking is limited and often faltering, especially when a serious problem arises that does not have one single correct solution. Abstract-logical thinking is too straightforward and inflexible.

The limitations of logic were proved already in the era of Antiquity with the help of the so-called paradoxes - logical problems that have no solution. And the simplest of them is the "liar's paradox", which refutes the inviolability of the third law of logic. In the IV century BC. e. the ancient Greek philosopher Eubulides shocked the supporters of logic with one phrase: "I lie." Is this a true or false proposition? It cannot be true, since the author himself claims that he is lying. But if the phrase "I'm lying" is false, then in this way the proposition becomes true. And logic cannot overcome this vicious circle.

But abstract-logical thinking, despite its limitations and inflexibility, is best controlled and itself very well "organizes the brain", makes us adhere to strict rules in the thought process. In addition, the abstract form of thinking continues to be the highest form of cognitive activity. Therefore, the development of abstract thinking is relevant not only in childhood, but also in adults.

Exercises for the development of abstract thinking

Think about what shapes can be made from these details.

The development of this type of thinking is closely connected with speech activity, including wealth. vocabulary, the correct construction of sentences and the ability to analyze information.

Exercise "Prove the contrary"

This exercise is best done in writing. In addition to convenience, writing there is another important advantage over the oral one - it is more strictly organized, streamlined and linear. Here is the task itself.

Choose one of the relatively simple, and most importantly, consistent statements. For example: "A seaside vacation is very attractive."

Now find arguments that prove the opposite - the more rebuttals, the better. Write them down in a column, admire and find a rebuttal to each of these arguments. That is, again prove the truth of the first judgment.

Abbreviations exercise

This exercise is good to do in a company, it is not only useful for thinking, but it can also entertain you, for example, during a long journey, or brighten up the wait.

You need to take several arbitrary combinations of 3-4 letters. For example: UPC, UOSK, NALI, etc.

Next, imagine that these are not just combinations of letters, but abbreviations, and try to decipher them. Perhaps something humorous will turn out - it's not worse. contributes to the development of thinking. I can offer the following options: SKP - "Council of Creative Writers" or "Union of Krivorukov Producers". UOSK - "Management of individual social conflicts" etc.

If you are doing the task in a team, compete on who has the most original name and what such an organization can do.

Exercise "Working with concepts"

Exercises with concepts, more precisely with abstract categories, which have no analogues in the material world, develop abstract thinking well and establish a connection between thought processes different levels. As a rule, such categories reflect the qualities, properties of objects, their interdependence or contradictions. There are many such categories, but for the exercise you can take even the simplest ones, such as “beauty”, “fame”, “hatred”.

Having chosen one of the concepts, try to explain as simply as possible (in your own words) what it is. Just avoid explaining through examples (“this is when ...), they even scold you for this at school.
Pick up synonyms for this concept and try to determine if there are any differences, nuances between the main word and the synonym.
Come up with a symbol of this concept, it can be both abstract and concrete, expressed in words or in a graphic image.

After you have worked with simple concepts, you can move on to complex ones. For example, such: “congruence”, “victimity”, “resistance”, etc. If you do not know what it is, then it is permissible to look at the definitions of these words, but you will still explain them in your own words.

The benefit of developing abstract thinking is not only in learning to solve logical problems. Without it, success in the exact sciences is impossible, it is difficult to understand many economic and social laws. In addition, and not least, this thinking will make speech more correct and clear, teach you to prove your point of view on the basis of strict laws of logic, and not because “I think so”.

Thinking in psychology is called cognitive process, in which reality is generally and indirectly reflected. Indirectly - means, knowing some properties through others, the unknown - through the known.

In the process of development of the psyche, a person goes through a difficult path, moving from concrete thinking to more and more abstract, from objective to internal, classifying thinking according to form. In psychology, there are:

- visually effective

— Visual-figurative

- figurative

— Abstract-logical thinking.

This is a kind of stage of human development.

The child learns the world by examining objects by touch, taste, taking apart, breaking, scattering, throwing, observing, etc., that is, through practical actions. These are manifestations of visual-effective thinking, its period is approximately from 1 year to 3 years.

In the future, visual-figurative thinking is connected, which is still based on a practical study of reality, but already uses images that it creates and stores. These images may not be based on specific sensations (for example, fairy-tale heroes). This is thinking, presented in the form of images and representations based on visual, tactile, auditory perception. The peak of visual-figurative thinking falls on the age of about 4 to 7 years, but it also persists in adults.

The next step is figurative thinking. At this stage, images are born with the help of imagination or are retrieved from memory. In the case of using figurative thinking, right hemisphere brain. Unlike visual-figurative thinking, verbal constructions and abstract concepts are widely used in figurative thinking.

Finally, in abstract-logical thinking, symbols, numbers and abstract concepts are used that are not perceived by our senses.

Abstract thinking

Abstract thinking is engaged in the search and establishment of general patterns inherent in nature and human society. Its purpose is to reflect through concepts and broad categories of certain general connections and relations. In this process, images and representations are secondary, they only help a more accurate reflection.

Thanks to the development of abstract thinking, we can perceive a general, holistic picture of phenomena and events, without focusing on the details, abstracting from them. Going this way, you can go beyond the usual rules and make a breakthrough by discovering something new.

The development of abstract thinking was largely facilitated by the creation of a language system. Words were assigned to objects, abstractions and phenomena. The meaning inherent in the words became possible to reproduce regardless of the situations associated with these objects and their properties. Speech made it possible to turn on the imagination, imagine this or that in the mind and consolidate the skills of reproduction.

Abstract thinking reflects reality in the form of concepts, judgments and conclusions.

The concept reflects and unites objects, phenomena and processes through some essential features. It has become the primary and predominant form of mental abstract reflection of events. Examples of concepts: "wolf", "1st year student", "tall young man".

Judgments either deny or confirm phenomena, objects, situations, etc., reveal the presence or absence of any connections or interactions between them. They are simple and complex. An example of a simple one: "a girl plays ball", a complex one - "the moon came out from behind the clouds, the clearing lit up."

Inference is a thought process that allows you to draw completely new conclusions from an existing proposition (or from propositions). For example: “All birches shed their leaves in autumn, I planted a birch, therefore, it will also shed leaves in autumn.” Or the classic: "All people die, I am a man, therefore, I will die too."

Abstract-logical thinking through logical operations with concepts reflects the relationship, the relationship between objects and phenomena in the world that surrounds us. It favors the search for unusual solutions to a variety of problems, adaptation to constantly changing conditions.

There are some features inherent in abstract-logical thinking:

— Knowledge of concepts and criteria, both existing and only supposedly existing in the real world, and the ability to use them.

- Ability to analyze, summarize and systematize information.

- The ability to identify the patterns of the surrounding world, even without direct interaction with it.

- Ability to form cause-and-effect relationships.

Abstract-logical thinking is the basis of the learning process, and it is applicable in any conscious activity, both in science and in everyday life.

The development of abstract thinking occurs in childhood, and it is very important to pay due attention to it. In one of the following articles, we will talk about how to develop abstract-logical thinking in a preschool child.

The flexible mind and receptivity of the child at an early age make this period the most optimal for classes. However, an adult can also develop his abilities, logical skills, improve ingenuity and ingenuity. Abstract-logical thinking is helped to develop exercises to identify patterns, combine words based on a common feature, and any logical tasks.

It has been proven that until old age we can develop the abilities of our brain, improving its functions such as thinking, attention, memory, perception. Classes can be carried out in a fun way, with the help of.

We wish you success in self-development!

There is nothing unambiguous in the world. If you are guided by accurate knowledge, you can miss a lot. The world does not live exactly according to the instructions that are written by man. Much has not yet been explored.

When a person does not know something, he turns on abstract thinking, which helps him 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 touch on the topic of abstract thinking? It is the ability to think in general that helps in finding a solution to an impasse, in 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 turns on when a person does not know the exact data, does not have specific information. He can guess, assume, draw general conclusions. Generalized thinking - abstract thinking in simple terms.

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 considered as a whole, without affecting the details, specifics, accuracy. This contributes to the departure from the rules and dogmas and consideration of the situation from different angles. When an event is considered in general, then there are various ways to solve it.

Usually a person proceeds from specific knowledge. For example, a man lies on the couch and watches TV. The thought arises: "He's a slacker." In this situation, the viewer proceeds from his own ideas about what is happening. What could actually be happening? 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 got sick, so he lies on the couch. There can be many variations of what is happening here. If you ignore the specifics and look at the situation from different angles, then you 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”, “world”, “in general”, “by and large”.

Abstract thinking is useful in situations where a person cannot find a way out (intellectual impasse). 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 what was not noticed before.

Abstract logical thinking

In abstract-logical thinking, abstractions are used - units of certain patterns that have been isolated from the "abstract", "imaginary" qualities of an object, 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 we are talking about two identical units. However, this figure was invented by people in order to simplify some phenomena.

The progress and development of mankind has forced people to use concepts that in fact do not exist. Another striking example would be the language a person uses. There are no letters, words, sentences in nature. Man invented the 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, since everyone understands the meaning of the same word, recognize letters, build sentences.

Abstract-logical thinking becomes necessary in a situation where there is some certainty that is not yet understood and known to a person, and when an intellectual impasse arises. 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 the structure, but ignoring the form of the subject.
Generalizing - selection general characteristics in one phenomenon, ignoring the presence of individual characteristics.
Idealizing - replacing real properties with an ideal scheme that eliminates existing shortcomings.
Isolating - highlights the component on which attention is focused.
Actual infinity – infinite sets are defined as finite.
Constructivization - "coarseness", giving form to phenomena that have vague boundaries.

According to the goals of abstraction there are:

Formal (theoretical thinking), when a person considers objects according to their external manifestations. These qualities themselves do not exist on their own without these objects and phenomena.
Content, when a person can single out a property from an object or phenomenon that can exist on its own, 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 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, there are 3 forms:

Concept.

This is the thought that conveys common property, which can be traced in different subjects. They may be different. However, their homogeneity and similarity allows a person to combine them into one group. So, 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 come in different breeds. However, they all have the same characteristics, according to which they are combined into one common concept - "dog".

Judgment.

People use this form of abstraction when they want to confirm or refute 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 clear. The second - "the garbage was thrown out, the bucket was empty." It is often expressed in whole sentences of narrative form.

The judgment may be true or false. A 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 it and is based on his own conclusions, and not on the real picture of what is happening.

Inference.

This is a thought that is formed on the basis of two or more judgments, from which a new judgment is formed. In every conclusion there are 3 components: premise (premise), conclusion and conclusion. The premise (premise) is the initial judgments. Inference is the 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 is the exact sciences. Mathematics, physics, astronomy and other sciences are often based on abstract thinking. We do not see numbers as such, but we can count. We collect objects in a group and call their number.

The man 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 unambiguously determine when someone lives and when they die.

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

Another common form of abstraction is idealization. People like 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 being can be subordinate to another.

Many people use judgment. Often they are 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” means “the apartment is dysfunctional”. Based on the emotional discomfort that occurs under the 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. As soon as the child begins to explore the world, he can be helped in the development of all kinds of thinking.

by the most effective way development are toys. Through shapes, volumes, colors, etc., the child first begins to 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 divides them into two piles according to the same characteristics.

As soon as a child learns to draw, sculpt, make with his own hands, he should be allowed to engage in such hobbies. This develops not only fine motor skills, but also contributes to the manifestation 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. Riddles that should be solved are well suited here, puzzles where it is necessary to solve some question, exercises for ingenuity, where it is necessary to notice an error, an inaccuracy.

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

Particularly effective are various life situations in which the child must find a way out of the situation. A simple task to take out the garbage will force the child to first think about how to dress and what to wear in order to leave the house and carry the garbage bag to the bin. If the garbage can is far from home, then it will be forced to predict its route in advance. Forecasting the future is another way to develop abstract thinking. Children have a good imagination, which should not be oppressed.

Outcome

The result of abstract thinking is that a person is able to find solutions in any situation. He thinks creatively, flexibly, outside the box. Not always accurate knowledge is objective and able to help in any situation. Circumstances happen different, which makes a person think, reason, predict.

Psychologists note the 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, move from the general 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 is different from linear themes that a person does not think of 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 a situation. And when the details do not help in solving the problem, then there is a need to abstract, to go beyond what is happening.

Abstract thinking allows you to find something new, to create, to 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 people use now. There would be no progress that arises first from the ability of a person to imagine, dream, go beyond the accepted and reasonable. These skills are also 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 to unchanging circumstances is due to abstract thinking.

In the process of understanding the world, a person is faced with exact values, quantities, definitions.

However, in order to compose a complete picture of a particular 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 conjectures.

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

Abstraction - what is it in psychology?

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

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

The following concepts are associated with abstraction:

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

The concept of abstract thinking

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

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

At the same time, all human mental activity can be represented in the form of the following mental operations:

Analysis. Separation of the whole into parts. At the same time, knowledge of the whole is achieved through a more thorough study of its individual parts.
Synthesis. Connecting disparate parts into one whole.
Generalization. Identification of common features that are inherent in phenomena or objects, with their subsequent unification on this basis.
Classification. Separation and grouping of phenomena or objects into classes (groups) based on both common features and their differences.
abstraction. Determining the properties of phenomena or objects, based on their common features with a one-time abstraction from their other specific qualities that are not significant in this situation.

In ordinary words, abstract thinking is activated when a person does not have any accurate 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 what cannot be seen, touched, heard, perceived through the sense organs.

Forms

There are such forms of abstract thinking:

concept. With this form of thinking, a common property is determined that is inherent in objects that also have some differences. For example, a telephone. Phones can be touch, push-button or even rotary, be made of various materials, have completely different additional functions - a flashlight, a camera or an infrared port, but abstracting from these differences, one can single out their common function - making calls.
Judgment. The purpose of a judgment is to get 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 brief, there are no additional actions or phenomena in it. An example of a complex judgment - a cup was overturned, water poured out of it.
inference. This form is a thought based on two or more judgments.
Inference includes three stages - a premise (initial judgments), a conclusion (a logical thought process over initial judgments) and a conclusion (formed final judgment).

Examples

A good example of abstract thinking is 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 manifested in planning. A person sets any goals for himself, calculates his own possible steps and situations to which they will lead.

In this case, the supposed situation does not exist in reality, but on the basis of inferences, a person's life becomes more predictable, purposeful and organized.

And yet, abstract thinking does not always lead to a correct assessment of the situation.

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

How to develop?

The child's use of abstract thinking starts in preschool.

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

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

During the school period confidently thinking abstractly is already a necessity, as such subjects as mathematics and physics appear.

At the same time, 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:

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.
Generalization of phenomena. This makes it possible to more effectively obtain and use their own knowledge in various situations. A person receives any information, generalizes it with existing knowledge, and subsequently remembers and extracts it better.
Clear presentation of ideas. Thought processes can proceed even without internal dialogue, but the final judgment is easily converted into speech.

Although great importance has the development of abstract thinking in childhood, even an adult can train him by doing certain exercises.

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

Tasks

Tasks for abstract thinking:

Making up 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.
Reverse reading. For this exercise, you need to read a fiction book chapter by chapter in reverse order, trying to determine how exactly the story began in the book, what preceded this or that event.
This is a rather difficult exercise, so it is best to take works with a simple plot.
Item functions. 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.
Communication analysis. In the evening, you need to imagine the people with whom you communicated in the daytime, while remembering not only the content of the conversation, but also the tone, posture of the interlocutor and his gestures, facial expressions, surroundings - and reproduce the dialogue in memory as detailed as possible.
Initial. You should write any letter on a piece of paper and for a certain time period try to remember maximum amount words starting with that 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 better formulate the goal, discard irrelevant factors in the situation, focusing on more important nuances.

Lack of abstraction from the situation can lead to a feeling of moral dissatisfaction, low and problems with communication.

How to learn to abstract?

Applying not very complex psychological tricks, one can learn to abstract from what might be bothering 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 the flexibility of 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 you like best- walking in the forest, picking mushrooms, fishing, meditation, reading a book - one that does not require the presence of another person nearby.

Change the type of activity- new experiences will make you digress from the usual patterns and switch to your own perception.

From a man

Some people, despite not being perceived as unpleasant by us, can significantly influence to 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 particular person, you can time to change the circle of communication.

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 while doing what you love.

From bad people

It happens that you have to be in the company of people unpleasant to you, which you cannot avoid - for example,. At the same time, the actions or behavior of these people can interfere with concentration on the task in progress.

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.

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

From the situation

In difficult situations, your thoughts may be confused, and your emotions impede a sensible cold-blooded decision.

In such cases, you need to focus on breathing 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 is with another person. Try to brush aside minor distracting details, focusing on the most important issues.

Habit can help you learn to abstract plan your affairs in advance setting a clear goal and following it.

In any situation, try to highlight important and minor points - you may first have to analyze several cases and write the conclusions in a notebook. Learn to sequence - do not try to do several things at once.

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

Take it for granted that thought processes are similar to sports physical exercises - regular exercise help you develop your skills.

About abstract human thinking in this video: