Today we continue to reveal the topic of systems thinking. Last time we talked about. And today we will take a closer look at the question: “How to develop systems thinking?”.

And, before developing your individual path of development in this direction, we propose to talk a little about thinking.

What types of thinking are related to systems thinking?

Within the framework, we use all the types of thinking available to us. Beginning with subject-effective and ending creative thinking. Since each of us has our own characteristics and characteristics, not everyone comes to systems thinking easily. In some cases, before mastering or applying the skills of systems thinking, you need to "pump" your brain.

Let's quickly remember which mindset is responsible for what. This will also help to roughly assess which types of thinking are more developed in your case, and which areas should be emphasized.

1. Subject-effective thinking. It is characteristic of business people: athletes, laborers, artists, etc. Everything that is created with the help of human hands is their merit. This type of thinking is characteristic of those people who absorb information through actions and movements.

2. Abstract-symbolic thinking. The type of thinking that distinguishes scientists is the ability to know the world and create new hypotheses with the help of "intangible" formulas, codes, rules and various operations.

3. Verbal-logical thinking. Allows you to verbally express your thoughts correctly and convey them to others. Developed verbal intelligence is most important for leaders, public and political figures.

4. Visual-figurative thinking. The ability to look at situations in time, noticing both what was and what will be. Visual-figurative thinking also makes it possible to see what has never been and never will be. Most developed among artists and directors.

5. Creativity- the ability to find non-standard solutions to the problem.

It is impossible to start thinking systematically after reading only a couple of books. Although anyone can come to systemic thinking and develop this skill in themselves. Another question is how easy and fast it will turn out, since a lot depends on how your thinking is built now, how quickly and easily you learn.

Interesting fact- Easily trained people usually already have certain systems thinking skills. They understand something faster because they see analogies in those systems that they have studied and tried before.

In order for a systematic approach to be easier for you every time, you need not only constant practice (without which, by the way, it will be extremely difficult to develop this skill), but also a comprehensive development on all “fronts”. What are the priority areas for development?

1. Constant expansion of interests and horizons

You can create an infinite number of systems, but if you divide them into different types or principles, then there will be fewer of them. With certain simplifications and assumptions, one can find many similar systems in different sciences or transfer the “state” system to a single family or company. Being able to see similar systems makes your life a lot easier. You understand key points or learn new information faster. But in order to see these similarities of systems, it is necessary to constantly develop. Search for new information, discover the world further and more.

2. Expansion of mental maps and models

Mental models are all our beliefs, beliefs and limited knowledge that distort reality. It is very important to control this process and be sure to reflect on their presence and take into account the distortion that occurs due to existing beliefs.

3. Monitoring Successful Systems

If there is an opportunity to get to know a successful system better, do not miss it. This will not only allow you to better understand the causes and features of various relationships, but also add an additional example to your treasury of knowledge.

4. Break stereotypes and habits

Stereotypes and habits are not bad. They help save time and effort when solving simple problems, when the situation repeats itself from time to time. But their presence will pull you back in a non-standard situation, preventing you from seeing new opportunities, correctly assessing the situation and connecting creative thinking. How to deal with it? Change your usual routes, alternate the sequence of daily tasks, experiment and do not be afraid of the new and non-standard.

5. Emphasize the principle of feedback

Every action within the system results in a response. An example is the same “butterfly effect”. The process of evaluating these changes is not always easy and straightforward, but try. It's difficult, but very important. Try to find a way to measure it, think about the parameters. Don't forget the butterfly effect!

6. Solve creative problems

Our brain is constantly in need of exercise. Various intellectual games, tests and tasks will be good helpers in this direction. There are a huge number of different options for such simulators, the simple forms of which include the same "sudoku" and "ken-ken" - they perfectly help to train the relationship between the elements of one system. Or you can refer to the special developing literature on the topic of systems thinking, which not only provides examples of various tasks, but also provides options for solving them.

Systems thinking is a topic that is really difficult to understand and develop. It is not easy to understand the essence of this approach and understand exactly how systems thinking can be developed. Some of the tools are not obvious, and some of them seem difficult both to learn and to use. There are doubts whether it is worth all the time spent. Systems thinking allows us to increase the efficiency and quality of our activities, so it is necessary to develop in this direction. But the most important thing is not to get hung up on each process and approach this issue a little more relaxed. Otherwise, there is a risk of analyzing where it simply does not need to be done.

Have you already thought about developing systems thinking in a team?

Reading time 8 minutes

In everyday life, every person has to apply logical thinking every day. The use of logic and the construction of chains of interconnection is required, both in career matters and during ordinary household activities, for example, visiting a supermarket or making routes. Some cope with this easily and naturally, while others experience certain difficulties in finding answers even for the most elementary logical problems, the speed and correctness of the solution of which depend primarily on how well a person’s logical thinking is developed. This article will talk about what logic is, as well as introduce methods and ways of how to develop logical thinking for an adult.

The essence of the concept of "logical thinking"

Logic is not identical to knowledge, although its area coincides with the area of ​​knowledge. Logic is the common connoisseur and judge of all private investigations. It does not aim to find evidence; it only determines whether evidence is found or not.

Logic does not observe, does not invent, does not discover - it judges. So, logic is the science of the functions of reason, which serve to evaluate evidence; it is the doctrine both of the very process of passing from known truths to unknown ones, and of all other mental actions, insofar as they help this process. © John Stuart Mill

To begin with, we will analyze separately the two components of the concept of logical thinking - logic and human thinking.

What is logic? Translated from the Greek language, logic is called "the science of true thinking" and "the ability to reason." In the generally accepted sense, it is customary to call logic the science of the methods and laws of human intellectual activity. Logics is the study of methods to achieve the truth, using the experience and knowledge gained earlier.

Thinking is considered to be a mental process, during which the processing of previously received information, the establishment of interdisciplinary connections takes place. Thanks to objectivity and correctness of thinking, a person has the opportunity to get an idea of ​​the true state of things.

Together we get a definition of what a person's logical thinking is. This is a thought process during which logic is used, logical constructions are applied. The goal of this type of thinking is to draw reliable, objective conclusions based on the available information.

Areas and areas of use of logic

There is no such branch of human life, wherever the use of the skills to think using logic is required. Including the humanities, which is no exception, logical constructions are also used in their study.

Often, a person’s logical thinking manifests itself on an intuitive level, regardless of the efforts made. The use of logic makes it possible to speed up the process of thinking, to make it better, to express one's thoughts more correctly, and also to draw true conclusions, avoiding false judgments.

Why you need to develop the ability to think logically:

• Clearly, in an accessible form, express all your thoughts and arguments;
• Quickly find the right solution to problems, even being in a critical situation;
• Correct your mistakes, avoid making new mistakes;
• Developing the skills to build objective connections helps to achieve success in a career or study;
• Creative approach to problem solving is sometimes more productive than generally accepted standards.

Structure of logical thinking

Many people think that logical thinking is the ability to brilliantly solve puzzles and intricate puzzles. However, this is not quite true. The structure of logical thinking includes many mental skills, such as the ability to make correct conclusions, to succinctly argue one's point of view during a debate, to concretize, generalize, analyze and systematize acquired knowledge.

The logical thinking of a person is divided into three points: figurative, verbal (verbal) and abstract.

1. Figurative-logical thinking. This type of thinking is based on the visualization of tasks and a visual search for solutions. Simply put, a figurative view in another way can be called a property of the imagination.
2. Abstract logical thinking. Logical constructions contain abstract models, that is, non-existent in nature, unreal objects. In order to thoroughly master this type of thinking, an individual must be able to abstract from the material.
3. Verbal-logical thinking. Manifested through the use of speech structures. For successful verbal thinking, it is necessary not only to build strict logical chains, but also competent coherent speech.

When logical thinking is laid

Only a few people think logically. Most of us are biased, prejudiced, infected with preconceptions, jealousy, suspicion, fear, pride, and envy. © Dale Carnegie

A person is not born immediately with certain inclinations to successfully draw the right conclusions and build logical structures. The logical thinking of a person is not innate, but an acquired property. Even the basic figurative type of thinking manifests itself in children at the age of 1.5 years. The ability to think abstractly appears much later - at primary school age, at about 7-8 years old. Logic develops gradually with the development of the personality itself. However, regular training and exercises will only give a positive result in the development of logical thinking.

The main type of development of preschool children is precisely logical tasks and exercises. Since it is logical thinking that will help the child achieve success in the future by using his intellect. Development takes place in a playful way, according to the age characteristics of children. Logic lessons are included both in the kindergarten curriculum and in the school curriculum. However, parents should not neglect independent studies at home. After all, by developing logical thinking, you improve the intellectual skills of your child.

Is it possible for an adult to improve and improve his logical thinking? Of course, this is possible and even necessary, because in the modern world everything is subject to very rapid changes, the knowledge gained at school and university is gradually becoming obsolete, and there is a need to update information. The development of the ability to build logical conclusions for an adult can be a very pleasant process, since, as in the case of children, it can also take place in a playful way. If you are an eternal student or a typical pedant, then you can draw up a detailed plan for serious exercises. However, it will be much more interesting to get together with friends and play logic games. The information obtained in this way will more reliably settle down in the mind and be fixed in the memory of a person than dry memorization of the rules and solving boring tasks.

Ways to develop logical thinking

If you are determined to take on pumping your brain, then the first thing you need to do is to eradicate your laziness and start looking for suitable methods and tasks. There are many ways to train the mind. Let's consider some of them in more detail:

• Board games. Paired and for a large group of friends, serious and humorous - the choice is huge, you just need to determine which type is more interesting for you. The most popular board games for the development of human logical thinking include:

1. Chess;
2. Checkers;
3. Backgammon;
4. "Monopoly" ("Big Business");
5. "Erudite" ("Scrabble", "Balda");
6. Card games ("Munchkin", "Uno").

• Logic tasks. In the search and selection of logical problems, use books or the Internet, where there are a lot of different examples and thematic collections. Start with the easiest level, gradually increase the load, move to the highest level of difficulty. If you do not know the answer, do not hesitate to peek, because knowing the source data will help you understand the solution and build a logical chain. This type of task includes:

1. Rebuses;
2. Graphic puzzles;
3. Text tasks;
4. Puzzles;
5. Anagrams;
6. puzzles;
7. Rubik's Cube;
8. Solitaire ("Mahjong", varieties of card layouts).

Logic task example: Seven sisters spend leisure time together. The first is playing chess. The second is reading. The third one removes. The fourth is watering the flowers. Fifth - plays with the cat. Sixth - embroider. But what does the seventh sister do? Correct answer: The seventh sister plays chess with the first.

• Intelligence Tests. There are many online tests based on the principle of cause and effect. Most often, these are games of the “Find the extra” type.
• Puzzles, crosswords, crosswords, chainwords and more. Particularly difficult are digital types - Japanese crosswords and sudoku. Also, an excellent task for developing the ability to think logically will be self-compilation of a crossword puzzle.
• Mastering deductive and inductive methods.Deduction This is logic in its purest form. In 99.99%, the deductive method gives the correct answer to the solution of the problem. In everyday life, induction is more often used - reasoning based on facts that have a certain percentage of falsity. If explained in simpler terms, then inductive reasoning begins with particular inferences and seeks confirmation in general terms. The deductive method, on the contrary, originates from the external world, and the conclusion is already presented in the form of individual inferences.

An example of a deductive method: Winter has come and therefore it is snowing outside.

An example of the inductive method: It snowed outside, therefore, winter has come.

There are some useful tips that contribute to the development of a person’s logical thinking without putting much effort:

1. Learn to write with your right hand if you are left-handed. And vice versa. This exercise helps develop the skills of the less-used hemisphere of the brain.
2. Constant change of activities. Spend exactly one hour on one view, after the time has elapsed, move on to another occupation. Quickly changing the type of work will help accelerate adaptive thinking skills.
3. Read detective novels. And try to guess the culprit yourself. In this way, you will do a great job developing your own deduction.
4. Daily outdoor walks able to improve not only logical, but also all other types of thinking.
5. Give explanations for your actions. Analyze everything that you do, calculate the options: what will happen if you leave the case unfinished, what the final result of the work looks like, etc.

Logical thinking of a person: why you need to develop logic

Perhaps, some people think that it is not at all necessary to develop logical thinking, it is perfectly possible to do without the use of logical connections. Such judgments are fundamentally wrong. After all, logical thinking and human activity are inextricably linked. Even in everyday life, one should master the skills of building objective chains. For example, people in ancient times were able to save their lives thanks to logic and observations - if their fellow tribesman ate a berry and died, then it is quite logical that others should not eat these berries. Or, for the first gardeners and farmers, such skills were useful to know that if, for example, you plant a cherry seed, then, logically, a cherry will grow out of it and nothing else.

We will not consider the benefits of the structure of mental structures for managers or representatives of technical professions. Even an ordinary janitor understands that sweeping dust against the wind is absolutely illogical. Or the painter, using logical connections, will not start painting the floor from the door to the wall.

Therefore, the logical thinking of a person plays an important role in building a successful career, logic is the key to the normalization of communication between people, the ability to defend and argue one's opinion, as well as to realize the truth and objectivity of everything that happens.

Many business gurus in their books or trainings begin communication with the audience by pointing out the errors of thinking of modern man. The fact is that in fact, if we discard all stereotypes and assumptions, in preschool institutions and schools we are not taught to develop thinking. Children solve certain problems, learn to work with data, receive conditions and even analyze actions, however, conditions for personal growth are created only at the institute, and even then, these are limited courses of basic subjects.

A person uses different types of thinking:

• Logical thinking - its task is to generalize what is happening, to find sequences, cause-and-effect relationships.
• Deductive thinking is a process very similar to logical thinking, but it differs in generating inferences, rather than comparing what is happening with logical actions. A person himself determines the associated processes and understands what they lead to.
• Analytical thinking is very connected with logic, most often it characterizes the ability to quickly find an effective and optimal solution in a given situation.
• Creative thinking - it is not logical centers that work here to a greater extent, but creativity, imagination. It is responsible for the generation of creative ideas, thoughts.
• Inductive thinking is a form of logical thinking that is responsible for generalization and summing up in the thought process.

It is interesting that logical and analytical thinking (as the most interconnected type) is preserved until old age, until the time when the brain atrophies and loses the ability to rationally explore the surrounding world.

The peculiarities of human development of a personality are such that someone in his life is based on logical conclusions and actively uses logic, someone lives and makes creative decisions that are dictated by imagination, desires, emotions. It's not good or bad, it's just human nature. However analytical thinking can be developed, and it is believed that logic is more difficult to develop than creativity.

Thinking is the ability to model systematic relationships with the outside world. The more often you solve problems of a certain type and complexity, the more logical thinking will develop. Analytic mind is valued in leadership positions, among those people who have to solve a huge stream of tasks of various types, and find the best solution for them. Moreover, the ability to think analytically allows you to add up a big picture of the world, which helps to achieve greater success through understanding cause-and-effect relationships.

How to develop analytical thinking?

The first thing you need to know before starting work on self-development is that analytical thinking is very closely related to logic. Therefore, by solving problems for logical thinking, you can get an analytical mindset by reorienting your worldview. Solve problems, puzzles, crossword puzzles, difficult puzzles, solve riddles. At school, we all get a base, especially in math subjects. Over time, however, especially after the start of labor activity, most people abandon their development, mistakenly believing that work in itself contains all the conditions for improving qualities.

Analytical thinking develops differently for everyone, with different speeds and different results. Especially the analytical mindset develops quickly when studying foreign languages, programming languages, when working with technology, complex mechanisms, large data sets.

In modern business, it is difficult to say unequivocally what led to the success of an entrepreneur, his analytical mindset, or solving a huge number of tasks improved his thinking abilities. It is definitely known that the skill of strategic vision, predicting the result, working to achieve various goals, through certain algorithms and actions, is the merit of analytical thinking, which can and should be developed.

Create situations

This technique is very simple and affordable, because you need a little free time and your intelligence. The essence of the task is to come up with a certain situation, setting a goal and forming an effective solution. For example: Your goal is to fly into space. To do this, you will need either participation in the space program, or money to buy a ticket for the space tourism program. If you have health problems, or you are old, and your physical fitness is weak, your only way out is to buy a place in the Chatelet. By developing this idea, working on the generation of a chain of decisions, analyzing information, you develop your analytical thinking. If you do not want to waste time, start planning your own business, buying a country house or a car, analyze what you might need during a trip to a foreign resort.

Psychological simulators

Of course, the BrainApps team could not lose sight of the need to develop analytical thinking. Here you will find a huge number of games and simulators that are aimed at developing, including logic. There are tasks for quick decision-making, finding the optimal answer, for restoring the full picture, having particulars. The main feature of our site is powerful user support. You'll get:

• Personal trainer - a unique, specially designed mechanism for building workouts according to your goals and abilities;
• Statistical module - the ability to check the progress of your development in your personal account, for even more effective training;
• Interesting and exciting games that will appeal to both adults and children.

Remember, the best investment is an investment in yourself! Your intellect is the greatest phenomenon that requires a careful and responsible attitude. Get involved, and the results of your workouts will not keep you waiting.

Developed tactical thinking is the key to success in almost any activity. It helps to win in war, in sports and in more everyday things - in learning and solving everyday problems. Today we will learn more about tactical thinking and its structure, and look at exercises to develop this useful skill.

A bit of theory

A tactic is a set of techniques, means to achieve a specific goal. Most often it is mentioned in connection with the conduct of combat (combat tactics), with sports (competition tactics), with the game (game tactics).

Tactical thinking is a fast, efficient and expedient course of thought processes aimed at finding rational ways to solve a problem and achieve a goal. A person with this mindset thinks through all actions a few steps ahead. This can be compared to a game of chess, when in order to achieve victory a player needs not only to think over his moves, but also to predict the opponent's moves and adequately respond to them. A simplified diagram of the results of tactical thinking will look like a chain of logical conclusions with the structure “If ..., then ...”.

Tactical thinking has the following characteristics:

1. Effectiveness. This type of thinking is inextricably linked with practical activities, included in it. The student will think about which solution to the mathematical problem to choose, precisely in the process of working on it.
2. improvisation. In the process of solving problems and on the way to achieving the goal, various unforeseen circumstances may arise that have not been taken into account and thought out. Tactical thinking allows you to quickly navigate the situation and make an improvisational decision. For example, the child thought over his answers to the questions of the teacher in the lesson. But he was asked something that he did not expect. A student with a developed tactical mind is able to easily deviate from a previously planned plan and issue an impromptu response.
3. Efficiency. Such thinking is always fast and clear. For example, a student is called to answer a paragraph on history at the blackboard. In the few seconds it takes to get up from the desk, the child thinks through what and in what order he will say, how he will answer questions, etc.
4. Probability. It lies in the fact that any assumption cannot be absolutely accurate - there is always some fraction of the fact that the conclusion made through tactical thinking is incorrect. For example, a student solves a problem in physics. Based on the conditions, the student can already guess what the answer will be, but cannot be 100% sure of this.

Thus, tactical thinking is a very useful skill that helps students even in the most common learning situations. It includes the following tasks:

• Goal setting. For example, solving a specific mathematical problem, a brilliant answer at the blackboard, winning a school olympiad, etc.
• Analysis of one's own capabilities at a given moment in time. The student needs to weigh his strengths and weaknesses.
• Accounting conditions. It is necessary to analyze and take into account all external factors for solving the problem/problem: where does it take place, at what time, who is nearby, etc.
• Forecast of obstacles and difficulties. It is necessary to assume what kind of difficulties may arise and how to resolve them in this case.
• Drawing up a backup plan. Because tactical thinking is characterized by probability, the student needs to think about how he will act if his original plan does not work

At first glance, these tasks seem quite difficult, especially for a child. But with the help of interesting game exercises, tactical thinking can be developed in a representative of any age and gender.

Guess the meaning of each symbol

Each character is equal to a certain number. Using the table below, guess the meaning of all the figures. Each row and column is followed by the sum of the character values.

Balloons

There are four balls (two black and two white) with numbers printed on them. They are arranged so that the numbers on them form the following sequence: 3, 4, 2, 1. They have been swapped. Task: find a new sequence that meets the conditions:

• The number on the far left is twice the number next to it.
• Odd numbers are next to each other.
• The white balls are next to each other.

Non-standard "sea battle"

In a grid of 6 by 6 cells, you need to place three cruisers (4 cage decks), three boats (3 cage decks) and three buoys (1 cage). In this case, the values ​​opposite the rows and columns should be taken into account. Each of them should not have more or less filled cells than indicated. For example, the first row of the grid below should not have more/less than 5 cells filled in. In this case, there must be at least one gap between one and four filled cells.

If...then...

This exercise can be used in absolutely any situation. It is necessary to provoke the child to predict the result of his actions and the possible development of events. For example:

1. If you go for a walk in the rain...
2. If you don't learn well, then...
3. If you win the school olympiad, then ...
4. If you are called to the board, and you are not sure, then ...
5. If you start to solve the problem in this way, then ...
6. Etc.

Keywords

A keyword is a kind of crossword puzzle, with numbers inscribed in a grid, under each of which a certain letter is encrypted. For a hint, one word has been added to the grid, on the basis of which further decoding is carried out.

To solve this crossword puzzle, you need to think two steps ahead, which is an excellent training in tactical thinking.

Improvisation

You can use exercises for creative improvisation and improvisation of solutions:

1. Creative. Think of the end of the song, poem; show a sketch on the theme of school life, etc.
2. Solutions. Exercise is included directly in the performance of any activity, in the solution of a problem. For example, come up with a different way to solve the problem, since a new variable has appeared; which way will you go if the two roads that you planned to go earlier are blocked, etc.

Sudoku

Another type of puzzle for the development of tactical thinking is Sudoku - the Japanese "numerical crossword puzzle". It consists of a 9 by 9 grid (inside there are 9 squares each in 9 cells), which must be filled in with numbers from 1 to 9 so that they occur only once in each column and line.

Drawing up an action plan

To develop tactical thinking, the student needs to learn how to plan his activities. To practice this skill, you can:

1. Plan classes for a day, several days, a week, etc.
2. Think over the sequence of any action: going to school, washing dishes, solving a chemistry problem, answering at the blackboard, etc.
3. Make large-scale plans, taking into account all the little things. For example, a plan for a trip, a plan for achieving a goal (getting an A in a quarter, winning an olympiad / competition, etc.).

Drawing up a plan, especially a large-scale one, should take a lot of time. It is recommended to do this in stages, gradually adding new details and making adjustments.

Place Hexagons

Below are some hexagons and the field where they need to be inserted. You need to place the figures in such a way that the numbers in the triangles coincide at the points of their contact (bold lines). You can't flip hexagons.

Orientation, map reading

The exercise can be performed in real or virtual conditions (computer games). Here the child needs:

• Set a goal. For example, get out of the forest, find a river, choose the shortest route, etc.
• It is good to familiarize yourself with the map of the area in advance. If necessary, help the student to decipher some signs, determine his location, etc.
• Match the map data with what he sees in reality. For example, the number of trees on the map and in the clearing.
• Choose a route. It is determined depending on the goal.
• Achieve the goal, making adjustments as needed. In the process of passing the route, various obstacles may arise, as a result of which the original plan may change. You can ask the student in advance to think over these difficulties and ways to solve them, or leave it for later to train the speed and improvisation of tactical thinking.

Alphabet Journey

In the ovals below, you must enter the letters from A to L (inclusive). In order for the grid to be filled correctly, the following conditions must be met:

• The letter D is located to the east than the letter G.
• G is located strictly (any place on the same horizontal/vertical line) north of D and west of B.
• A stands next to K.
• K is directly north of A.
• B is located due west of A.
• W is further north than E and B.
• And it is located next to W, strictly to the north.
• L is strictly west of E and strictly north of G.

Chess

Perhaps this is one of the most difficult, but effective exercises. If the child does not know how to play chess, then it is recommended to start with the basics: explain the rules, show possible moves.

When the student can already play the game on his own, you need to help him with the tactics of the game: ask him about the meaning of each move and its possible consequences.

The issue uses pictures from Phillips C.'s book Logic + Tactical Thinking.

• Basic types of thinking
  • Abstract thinking
  • Creative thinking
  • Creative thinking
  • Logical thinking

Thinking is an integral part of human activity, a tool for cognition and analysis of reality. Without it, there would be no modern humanity and our entire civilization, because active and conscious thinking is the main thing that distinguishes a person from other animals.

Thinking has a huge number of definitions. Here is one of them:

Thinking is the process of obtaining data from the outside world with the help of the senses, as well as their subsequent processing and use; this is the establishment of relationships between surrounding objects and the determination of their influence on a person. The main task of thinking is to solve a wide range of problems and tasks that a person faces.

First of all, thinking is the main instrument of human survival. We do not have teeth, claws and warm fur, but we have gone far ahead in matters of species conservation, since thinking provides much more opportunities to overcome life's challenges than the physical strength and endurance of a wild beast.

Thinking is a feature of the human psyche, obtained by us in the process of evolution. But the snag is that evolutionarily we have only the ability to think, which we must consciously implement. Developed thinking gives a person the opportunity not only to survive, but also to live comfortably: to have more money and power, to establish relationships with others, to get everything you need from life.

The development of thinking is a volitional act that we can carry out or not carry out. It is desirable to train thinking from childhood. In families where parents have a low level of intelligence, a rigid worldview and a lack of creative thinking, the same children often grow up. If a child at an early age is transferred to a family where it is customary to engage in self-education and actively use their mental abilities, most likely, he will show good results in school and will be more successful in life. There are also many cases when a smart person stopped doing work that required constant mental stress, and after a few years degraded. Even if your parents did not develop your thinking from early childhood, you can start (or continue) at any age. Let's talk about how to develop thinking.

The level of development of thinking is associated with speech. A highly developed person always has a large vocabulary and competent construction of sentences; a primitive and not accustomed to think individual manages with a minimum set of words and phrases, often finds it difficult to express thoughts. It has been noticed that with the increased development of speech, an improvement in thought processes is immediately manifested, and vice versa - smart people are good speakers. Read and train your oratory skills - this is the first universal tip for developing thinking.

There is a whole range of special practices and exercises for thinking, but the main thing to do is to constantly load the brain. As muscles atrophy without constant work, so the sharpness of the mind weakens, which is not strained by any tasks.

Basic types of thinking

We will analyze the main types of thinking, how they are characterized and how to develop each of them.

• Abstract thinking
• Creative thinking
• Creative thinking
• Logical thinking

Many types of thinking are interconnected, so it makes sense to develop them all. And yet, depending on the field of human activity, 1-2 types of thinking will always be in priority. For example, an abstract artist will have well-developed abstract and imaginative thinking, a mathematician or physicist will have logical thinking, a person of any creative profession will have creative and imaginative thinking.

Abstract thinking

Abstract thinking allows us to see the totality of objects, phenomena and properties as one whole object. This is necessary so that we can see the picture as a whole, without being distracted by small details, and through this vision, find non-standard ways to solve problems, constantly expanding the scope of knowledge.

It is interesting that animals in primitive forms have the rudiments of thinking: they are able to realize cause-and-effect relationships, are capable of learning and the simplest logical operations. But only man is inherent in abstract thinking.

Let's turn to examples. For a dog, the leaves on a tree will always be only leaves, the river will remain a stream of water, the birds will remain birds, and the earth will remain a place in which to bury a bone. Man, on the other hand, will generalize the totality of all these objects into the concept of "nature". A cat can rub against its legs, meet the owner on the doorstep and sleep at his feet, but only a person will call it all with the words “love” and “affection”.

Creative thinking

Creative thinking is aimed at creating a new useful result from known premises. Using the available data, we can construct from them intellectual, cultural and material objects that did not exist before.

As you can see, here the emphasis is on the use of already known data, and this point is not in vain. A person can create a new product only based on the experience and knowledge gained. Therefore, most often we are guided by examples from the surrounding nature: form, color and sound are drawn from what we see and hear.

Creative thinking

Figurative thinking is characterized by the creation of holistic images based on the information received. Most often these are visual images. For example, you are reading a book and clearly see the hero in front of your eyes. Or, having heard a familiar smell, you immediately imagine a picture associated with it - a person's face, a place, an event.

Figurative thinking is one of the important tools for the formation of speech skills, since a certain image is assigned to each word. It helps us to recognize familiar objects, it is necessary in the process of learning, remembering information and building a conceptual base.

Logical thinking

Logical thinking is probably one of the most important types of thinking. Possessing undeveloped creative or abstract thinking, a person is doomed to a meager emotional and intellectual life. But the underdevelopment of logical thinking can threaten mental health and even our very existence. This is not about “absence”, but about “underdevelopment”, since there is not a single person who does not have one or another kind of thinking at all.

Logical thinking is a process aimed at obtaining reasonable conclusions using logical rules, formulas, structures and algorithms. Logic is a science similar to mathematics - it is also based on a clear evidence base and axioms.

There are a number of logical rules, without the knowledge of which we simply could not survive:

• Causal relationship (one of the members of the tribe grabbed a snake with his bare hands, she bit him, and he died - so the rest should not do this).
• An algorithm of actions aimed at a certain result (to catch a deer on a hunt, you need to make weapons, go to the forest, track down the deer, kill it and bring it to the tribe).
• Inductive and deductive methods (if it starts to get colder and the day gets shorter - autumn has come; autumn has come - it will be cold and rainy).
• The one-sided orientation of time from the past to the future (after autumn it will be winter - you need to store firewood, food and warm clothes).
• The interaction of objects in shape and size (a person can hide in a shelter that is larger than him in size).

Here are simple examples of the use of logical constructs in the lives of our ancestors to show how they influenced our evolution. Of course, in the modern world they are much more complicated.

Logical thinking helps, first of all, to form the tactics and strategy of your life, to understand the consequences of your actions, and not to make stupid mistakes.

How to develop logical thinking

All kinds of thinking are developed in the same way as physical data - through training.

In order to develop logic, you need to do certain exercises:

1. Solving riddles, puzzles and tasks for ingenuity.
2. Mind games such as chess, poker or strategy.
3. Reading detective stories, good fiction and educational books.
4. Collecting puzzles, Rubik's cube, wooden puzzles.
5. Retell the text you read in your own words.
6. Game in analogy, association, "crocodile".
7. Inventing absurd situations and phenomena that contradict the laws of logic (they can be written down in the form of poems or stories).

To achieve success in life, you need to constantly develop. Geniuses and simply successful people differ from ordinary people only in that they constantly train and develop their thinking.

On the Internet you can find many online simulators that contribute to the development of thinking, attention and memory, for example Wikium brain trainers. They will help not only develop logical thinking, but also teach you to better concentrate on tasks, remember large amounts of information.

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