Chapter 7 :
Other Types of Thinking &
Thinking styles

Analytical Thinking

Other Types of Thinking

Thinking

Purposeful and organized mental activity that helps you understand ideas, solve problems & make decisions

Analytical Thinking

Concrete Thinking

Abstract Thinking

Divergent Thinking

Convergent Thinking

Ability to identify & define problems

Process to analyze a given problem or situation step by step

Performing a complete analysis of all possible ways to interpret the situation of problem

Can be applied in

Developing programs

Relational issues

Improving products

Identifying audience & client needs

Example

Approaching every setback & failure as an opportunity to learn

Great problem-solvers

Concrete Thinking

A literal form of thinking that reasoning focuses on the immediate experiences, physical objects & exact interpretations

Called as literal thinking

Prefer to think, comprehend & apply factual knowledge

Approach everything with

Facts

Data

Solid knowledge

Example

placing a rattle in the hands of a
small baby

Abstract Thinking

Pay attention to the hidden meanings behind things relating them to other items, events or experiences

Observe things as theories / possibilities

Divergent Thinking

Process of creating multiple, unique possibilities or ideas to find an appropriate solution

A lot like lateral thinking

Example

The early days of Twitter

Convergent Thinking

Process of combining a finite number of perspectives or ideas to find a single solution

Example

A multiple choice question in an exam

5 Thinking Styles

Synthesists : The Creative Thinkers

Analysts : The rational intellectuals

Realists : The perfect problem-solvers

Pragmatists : The logical thinkers

Idealists : The goal-setters