The information that a person receives from the outside world allows him to form an idea not only about the external, but also about the internal aspect of the subject. He can imagine an object, suggest its change in time. All this allows us to do human thinking. The concept, the processes that make it up, are studied in the framework of such a discipline as psychology.
Terminology
The concept of thinking has a number of specific features. First of all, it is a cognitive activity of a person, which is characterized by an indirect and generalized reflection of reality. The phenomena and objects of the real world have such properties and relationships that the individual can study directly. The concept of thinking is closely related to the ability of a person to perceive reality, to feel it. Cognition is carried out through the study of color, shape, sounds, features of the movement and placement of objects in space.
Signs
Revealing the concept of thinking, it is necessary first of all to explain its indirect nature. Everything that a person does not manage to know directly is studied indirectly. Properties not available for direct research are analyzed through other characteristics - available. Mediation is one of the key attributes included in the concept of thinking. Thinking operations are always based on sensory experience: sensations, perceptions, perceptions. In addition, the base consists of previously acquired theoretical knowledge. Considering the concept of thinking, analysts point to another important sign - generalization. Cognition of the general in real objects is carried out because all their characteristics are connected with each other.
Characteristic
Expressions of generalizations are made using language. Moreover, the verbal designation can refer not only to one separately taken subject, but also to a whole group of objects. Generalization is characteristic of images expressed in representations. However, in them it is limited by clarity. The word allows you to limitlessly generalize everything that a person learns using thinking. The formation of concepts is a reflection of the essential properties of the object. A person perceives phenomena, analyzes them and summarizes the signs in certain categories.
Thinking: concept, judgment, conclusion
The concept of an object is the highest product of brain activity. A judgment is a form of thinking that reflects real objects in their relationships and relationships. Simply put, it represents an idea, a thought. The concept of "logical thinking" involves the creation of certain sequences consisting of conclusions. Such chains are necessary to solve a problem, to find the answer to a question. Such sequences are called reasoning. It has practical value only in the case when it leads to some specific conclusion - inference. It, in turn, will be the answer to the question. In the concept of "logical thinking," the conclusion is included as a composite and mandatory element. It gives knowledge about the phenomena and objects that take place in the objective world. Conclusions can be deductive, inductive and by analogy.
Sensual components
Considering the basic concepts of thinking , we can not say about its basis. It is created by representations, perceptions, sensations. Information in the brain comes from the senses. They act as the only channels of human communication with the outside world. The content of the information is processed in the brain. The most complex form of information processing is thinking. Solving problems in the brain, a person builds chains of ideas, comes to some conclusion. So he learns the essence of things and phenomena, formulates laws and their relationships. Based on all this, a person changes the world around him. Thinking is formed on the basis of perceptions and sensations. The transition from sensory to ideological involves certain actions. The work of the brain consists in isolating and isolating the object or its sign, distracting from the concrete, establishing a common for many objects.
Communicative component
Despite the fact that the concepts of thinking, consciousness are formed on the basis of sensory knowledge, the most important thing for a person is the relationship with language. It allows you to formulate and convey your conclusions. Modern psychologists do not believe that internal speech has the same functions and structure as external. By the first is meant a transitional link between an idea and a word. The mechanism by which the transcoding of the general meaning into a statement becomes possible is a preparatory stage.
Nuance
Considering the concept of thinking, speech, it is necessary to note one important point. It was found above that there is a close relationship between them. However, its presence does not mean that thinking always comes down exclusively to speech. These elements belong to different categories and have distinctive features. To think is not to speak to oneself. This can be confirmed by the opportunity to express the same idea in different words. Moreover, a person is far from always able to select the necessary terms to express his conclusions.
Additionally
Language acts as an objective form of thinking . An idea is expressed through written or spoken words. In this form, it can be perceived not only by the author, but also by other people. Language ensures the preservation of thoughts. With its help, ideas are systematized, transmitted to future generations. However, there are additional funds. Their description is often used by authors exploring the concept of "new thinking ." In modern conditions, a person has to come up with new methods of data transfer to accelerate their knowledge and conclusions. The most common means include conventional signs, electrical impulses, sound and light signals.
Classification
Types of thinking are determined depending on the place occupied by the word, action, image, their relationship. On this basis, three categories of knowledge are distinguished:
- Concrete-effective (practical).
- Abstract.
- Concrete-shaped.
The indicated species are also classified according to the specifics of their tasks.
Concrete action knowledge
It is focused on the solution of certain problems in the framework of constructive, production, organizational or other practical human activities. Such thinking consists in understanding the technical aspects of objects and phenomena. Its key features include:
- pronounced observation;
- attention to the elements;
- the ability to use details in specific situations;
- skills in working with spatial images and models;
- the ability to quickly move from thought to action and vice versa.
Clear visual knowledge
As the name implies, such thinking is based on a person's ideas about objects and phenomena. This type of knowledge is also called artistic. It is characterized by the abstractness of thought and generalization. A man uses his ideas to create visual images.
Abstraction
Verbal-logical thinking is focused primarily on the search for common natural or social laws. Abstract (theoretical) cognition allows reflecting attitudes and connections characteristic of phenomena and objects. It uses broad categories and concepts. Images and representations perform auxiliary functions.
Empirical method
He gives the primary information. Cognition is carried out through experiments. Generalizations are formulated at a lower level of abstraction. According to the psychologist Teplov, many authors consider the work of a theorist (scientist) as the only sample. However, no less intellectual forces require practical (experimental) activity. The theorist's mental work is concentrated mainly in the initial stage of cognition. It involves a retreat from practice. The intellectual work of the researcher focuses more on the transition from abstraction to experience. In practical thinking, the optimal ratio of the will and mind of a person, his energetic, regulatory, cognitive capabilities is essential. This form of cognition is associated with the operational formulation of priority tasks, the development of flexible programs and plans. In the stressful conditions of his activity, the practitioner should have great self-control.
Theoretical knowledge
It contributes to the identification of universal relations. Theoretical thinking is connected with the study of an object in a system of relations. As a result, conceptual models are built, theories are created, experience is generalized, patterns of development of phenomena are revealed, the information about which ensures the transformative work of man. Theoretical knowledge is inextricably linked with practical. However, the former is notable for the relative independence of the results. Theoretical thinking is based on previous knowledge and serves as the basis for obtaining new information.
Other types of cognition
Depending on the non-standard or standard set tasks and the procedures performed, creative, heuristic, discursive, algorithmic thinking is distinguished. The latter is aimed at predetermined rules, a generally recognized sequence of specific actions that must be performed to achieve the goal. Discursive thinking is based on a system of inferences that have a relationship. Heuristic knowledge is focused on solving non-standard problems. Creative is called thinking, which leads to the receipt of fundamentally new results. In addition, productive and reproductive knowledge is also distinguished. The latter involves reproducing the results that were obtained earlier. In this case, the connection of thinking with memory occurs. A productive method is the exact opposite. Such thinking leads to completely new cognitive results.