Why is abstract thinking important

However, if we never move beyond concrete experiences to discuss the idea of density and how it affects floating, students would not be able to determine if an object would, say, float in oil rather than water.

This new problem requires transfer of knowledge and transfer of knowledge requires abstract thinking. So now the question we must all wrestle with is how to help our students move from concrete to more abstract thought capabilities. You are commenting using your WordPress. You are commenting using your Google account. You are commenting using your Twitter account.

You are commenting using your Facebook account. Notify me of new comments via email. Notify me of new posts via email. Email Address:. Teaching as Dynamic. Skip to content. A little less conversation, a little more action. An example of a task that involves concrete thinking is breaking down a project into specific, chronological steps. A related abstract thinking task is understanding the reasons why the project is important.

Most of us need to use a blend of concrete and abstract thinking to function well in day-to-day life. Abstract thinking skills develop as we grow and mature. Piaget said that from birth until around the age of 2, babies and toddlers generally think concretely. They observe and explore the world around them using their five senses and motor skills. See the Cheerio on the floor, pinch it with your fingertips, and put it in your mouth.

Decide you like it. Repeat the process. From ages 2 to 7, children develop the ability to think symbolically, which may be the foundation for abstract thinking. They learn that symbols like letters, pictures, and sounds can represent actual objects in the real world.

From age 7 until around 11, kids develop logical reasoning, but their thinking remains largely concrete — tied to what they directly observe. Sometime around age 12 and continuing into adulthood, most people build on their concrete reasoning and expand into abstract thinking.

The exercise of empathy is considered an abstract thinking ability. Many of the tasks students perform in school are tied to abstract thinking.

Math skills are often abstract. They rely on the ability to conceptualize numbers and operations without always putting your hands on physical objects. The study of language often involves analyzing and expressing abstract ideas, making generalizations about human nature and conflict, and learning to write figurative comparisons like metaphors and similes.

History, social studies, philosophy, and politics all require the ability to think generally about social problems and use ethical judgment. Science requires students to propose, test, and revise hypotheses and theories. Apart from the academic aspects of school, navigating the complex social situations presented during a typical school day also involves abstract thinking.

Sometimes the ability to imagine, predict, and make connections interferes with healthy functioning. Take the cognitive distortion known as catastrophizing, for example. If you habitually imagine worse case scenarios, you may increase your anxiety level or worsen depression symptoms. Overgeneralization is another example. Research has shown that this kind of abstraction is common with anxiety and depression.

If you have one of these conditions, you may find that abstract thinking is occasionally problematic:. The good news is that researchers have found that you can practice concrete thinking skills and use them to improve depression symptoms and even help you with decision-making during periods of depression.

Abstract thinking is the ability to consider concepts beyond what we observe physically. Recognizing patterns, analyzing ideas, synthesizing information, solving problems, and creating things all involve abstract thinking.

The ability to think abstractly develops as we mature, and we can intentionally improve our abstract thinking ability by improvising and playing with puzzles, models, and language. Striking a healthy balance between abstract and concrete thinking is important for maintaining good mental health and daily functioning. Concrete thinking is a literal way of understanding things. It's common in young children and older individuals with autism and other conditions….

Piaget stages of development are the foundation of a well-known theory of early childhood development. We explain each of the four stages and explore…. Here's what left brain vs.