Thought is something natural to all individuals, but there are ways to deepen your intellectual abilities. Becoming a good thinker takes time and a lot of practice, but it is a process that can be perfected throughout your life. Being a good thinker and keeping your mind trained will allow you to enjoy physical and mental health in the long run!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Understanding the Different Thinking Styles
Step 1. Understand the different types of thinking
There is no single way to think about things, but there are several, some of which are more efficient than others. To better understand how the processes related to your own thinking and that of others work, you will need to start learning about these types.
- Conceptual thinking. You must learn to find the patterns and connections between abstract ideas so that you can create a larger vision. For example, you can use conceptual thinking during a game of chess. You can look at the board and think “this setup looks familiar to me”, using this consideration to move your pieces and figure out the possible scenarios for winning.
- Intuitive thinking. It is based on impressions and instinct (you should always think intuitively). Often the brain processes much more information than we imagine, this allows us to think with the "belly". Let's take an example: You know a nice guy but you decide to turn down a date with him because you have a bad feeling, then you find out that he was convicted of sexual harassment. In that case your brain has picked up certain signals and communicated them to you on a subconscious level.
Step 2. Learn the five thinking styles
Harrison and Bramson in The Art of Thinking, postulated five styles of thinking: synthesist, idealist, pragmatist, analyst and realist. You must be able to understand which category you belong to in order to improve your intellectual patterns. You probably fall into only one of those presented, but it may also be that you use more than one. However, to improve your intellectual activity you need to be able to use different styles at the same time.
- Synthesists are at ease during conflicts (they like to impersonate the "devil's advocate"), they often ask questions such as "what if …". They use that conflict to fuel their creativity, and often get a better view of the context.
- Idealists very often look at the full picture of the situation, rather than dwell on individual details. They tend to place more emphasis on people and feelings than facts and numbers. They also prefer to think about the future and how to plan it.
- Pragmatists are the kind of people who prefer "as long as it works" methods. They think fast and make short-term plans. They are often creative and adapt easily to changes. Sometimes they seem to make decisions on the fly, with no planning whatsoever.
- Analysts try to break down problems into specific components rather than address them in their entirety. They compile lists, organize everything and use a lot of details, so that their lives and their problems stay in order.
- Realists are practical. They ask difficult questions and are willing to do whatever it takes to solve a problem. They have a fairly broad perspective on the issue and the tools needed to resolve it. They tend to be aware of their limitations. All of them have a realistic component, some more, some less.
Step 3. Use divergent thinking instead of convergent thinking
Convergent thinking is what allows you to see two solutions (e.g. people are good or bad). Divergent thinking opens the mind in infinite directions (eg realizing that people can be both "good" and "bad").
- To open yourself to divergent thinking, with anyone and in any situation, pay attention to how you frame the environment around you. Do you only give yourself limited options (e.g. does that person only hate you when they can't spend time with you and only like you when they can be around you, etc.)? You often use the phrase " or this or that"? When you realize you are thinking this way, stop and try to figure out if other choices are possible. This is usually the case.
- Convergent thinking is not necessarily negative. It is useful for particular things, such as mathematics (where there is always a right answer), but it can be very limiting when used in everyday life.
Step 4. Train critical thinking
Critical thinking is the ability to objectively analyze a situation or information thanks to the collection of knowledge and facts from different sources. The next step is to assess the situation based on the information gathered.
- This means that one must evaluate the facts by investigating for oneself rather than relying on the assumptions or opinions of those who believe themselves to be experts.
- It will also be necessary to understand how much your point of view and that of others affect the reality of the situation. You will have to question the assumptions based on your worldview.
Part 2 of 3: Learning the Fundamentals of Thinking
Step 1. Test your assumptions
To be an efficient thinker, you must learn to test your own assumptions. Your way of thinking is directly influenced by the cultural and social context in which you live. You will need to determine for yourself whether the thought you have formulated is useful and productive.
Consider multiple points of view. Always try to rely on a large number of sources, even when you learn of something positive. Look for information that supports or refutes that information, and also take people's opinions into consideration. For example: You just heard that bra can increase cancer risk and you find that an interesting theory (you might stop worrying about wearing a bra), so you start digging into it. At the end you will find the statements of many people who claim that there is no evidence to support this theory, but if you had not considered different points of view you would not have discovered the truth
Step 2. Develop a healthy curiosity about things
The "great thinkers" are people who have cultivated their curiosity. They ask themselves questions about the world and about themselves and then look for the answers.
- Ask people to tell you more about them. You don't have to be intrusive, but when you meet someone you can ask them personal questions (where are you from? What did you study at school? Why did you choose that field of study? And so on …). People love to talk about themselves, you will discover a lot of interesting things that you would never have learned otherwise.
- Be curious in general. For example, if you are traveling on a plane try to understand the dynamics of flight, learn how air currents work and learn about the history of the airplane (without stopping at the Wright brothers).
- Visit museums when you can (they often offer free admission at least once a month), go to events held in bookstores, or attend classes at a local university. These are all great ways to satisfy your curiosity without spending next to nothing.
Step 3. Look for the "truth"
The most difficult question is that there is no single "truth". Try the same to do your best to get to the heart of the issues (social, political, personal, etc.). It will help you deepen and develop your intellectual faculties.
- Do your best to dodge any rhetorical arguments about certain topics and find out what the truth is supported by facts. Make sure you keep an open mind while doing this, otherwise you will start considering only the facts that support your assumptions while ignoring others.
- Let's take an example. The problem of climate change is an issue that has been highly politicized, as a result people have a hard time discerning facts from propaganda (e.g. climate change is happening, and it is happening quickly because of human beings). There is so much misinformation that science-backed facts often tend to be ignored or misinterpreted.
Step 4. A good way to cultivate your intellectual abilities is to use creative thinking to come up with out-of-the-ordinary solutions to unusual problems
It is a way to practice your skills in a school, work and even daily context.
- Daydreaming has been shown to be a powerful tool for sharpening one's thinking, solving problems and achieving goals. Set aside some time each day to practice. Find a quiet place and let your mind wander free (the best idea is to do it before going to sleep).
- If you are having trouble with a problem and are looking for a creative solution to solve it, you can ask yourself a couple of good questions. Ask yourself what you would do if you had all the resources in the world, then ask yourself who you would turn to if you had all the earth's population available. Also ask yourself what you would feel if you weren't afraid of failure. These questions will open your mind to different possibilities, rather than being confined to limitations.
Step 5. Get information
You need to make sure you have a good method of acquiring valid information. There is a lot of nonsense information nowadays, and some seem almost true. You will have to learn to understand the difference between valid and unfounded sources.
- The library is an excellent source of information! Not only can you borrow books, films and documentaries, but you can also take the free courses and workshops that often take place there. Librarians can answer your questions or point you to the right book so you can learn all the information you need.
- Libraries often contain image archives and local newspapers, which can be a great resource for learning more about where you live.
- There are several sites on the internet that can provide reliable information. Remember to always be a little skeptical about what you read (both in books and on the internet). Stay true to the facts and keep an open mind, it is the way to becoming a smart person.
Part 3 of 3: Training Intellectual Skills
Step 1. Use language to change your way of thinking
Scientists have found that language can affect how people think. People who grew up in a culture that uses the cardinal points (north, south, east, west), for example, are able to point in any direction naturally without the aid of a compass, unlike grown people. with the concept of left and right.
Learn at least one language. Scientists also found that bilinguals (people who speak more than one language) see the world depending on the language they use. Learning a new language will allow you to learn a new form of thinking
Step 2. Learn all you can
Learning is not based only on scholastic notions and the memorization of dates and facts, but takes place throughout the course of life and includes a wide variety of topics. When you are in a phase of perpetual learning you are continually exposed to new ways of thinking.
- Don't trust others too much, even if they claim to be experts in their field. Always look for facts, look at alternative points of view. If you see fallacies in their arguments, investigate them. Never stop digging deeply just because you have heard the affirmation of an authority (such as the news, your professor or a politician). If a large number of sources make the same argument, it is probably true.
- Always be skeptical about the information you learn. Make sure they are corroborated by multiple sources (better if they are independent). Try to figure out who is making a particular claim (is he paid for by the big oil companies? Has he already done misinformation in the past? Do you know what he is talking about?).
- Try new things and get out of your safe zone. The more you succeed, the easier it will be for you to analyze the opinions and ideas of others even if they do not immediately conform to your worldview. It will also allow you to consider ideas that you might not otherwise have known. Try taking a cooking class, learn how to crochet or try your hand at amateur astronomy.
Step 3. Train your mind
There are exercises you can do to increase your brainpower. Thinking is like a muscle, the more you use your brain, the better your way of thinking.
- Do some math. Performing math exercises on a regular basis can increase your intellectual abilities and allows you to prevent many disorders, such as Alzheimer's. Try to do some calculations every day, using your head instead of the calculator.
- Memorize a poem. It will allow you to showcase your memorization skills at parties (especially if they are long poems) and will improve your memory. You can also memorize some quotes to show off in conversations when the time is right.
Step 4. Be aware
The importance of awareness is fundamental to thinking, it can help to clear the mind but also allows us to look at the world from another point of view, when we need it. Awareness is helpful in alleviating mental problems and allows you to achieve knowledge and deep thinking.
- Practice your awareness when taking a walk. Instead of getting caught up in your thoughts, focus on your five senses: notice the green of the trees, the blue hue of the sky and watch the clouds move over it; listen to the sound of your footsteps, of the wind in the leaves and of the people around you talking; pay attention to the smell, the temperature. Don't make a judgment (too cold, nice sky, stink, etc.), just notice them.
- Do at least 15 minutes of meditation a day. It will allow you to clear your mind and rest your brain. At first, find a quiet and distraction-free place (as you become good you may be able to meditate even on the bus, at the desk and at the airport). Breathe deeply and fill your lungs, focus on your breath. If you find wandering thoughts hitting your mind, ignore them, stay focused on your breathing as you inhale and exhale.
