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Garry Kasparov Teaches Chess

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Indra Nooyi Teaches Leading with Purpose

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Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing

Mellody Hobson Teaches Strategic Decision-Making

N. K. Jemisin Teaches Fantasy and Science Fiction Writing

Neil deGrasse Tyson Teaches Scientific Thinking and Communication

Noam Chomsky Teaches Independent Thinking and Media’s Invisible Powers

Paul Krugman Teaches Economics and Society

Penn & Teller Teach the Art of Magic

Rosalind Brewer Teaches Business Innovation

Roxane Gay Teaches Writing for Social Change

Sara Blakely Teaches Self-Made Entrepreneurship

Terence Tao Teaches Mathematical Thinking

The Duffer Brothers Teach Developing an Original TV Series

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Reviewed - USA Today

Introduction

Understanding Taxes

Health Care: The Problems

Health Care: The Solutions

Reading Economics

Seeing the World Like an Economist

Closing

Analyze Economic Data Skillfully

Speculative Fiction

Speculative Fiction Case Study: The Handmaid’s Tale

Our Systems of Belief 

Preparing for Your Audience

The Future of Our World

Spacewalking: Space and Perspective

Conclusion: The Future of Exploration

Setting and Worldbuilding

Meet Your Instructor: N. K. Jemisin

Macro-worldbuilding Exercise: Build Your World

Worldbuilding: Inventing Science and Magic

Worldbuilding: Research

Blend Science With Fiction Creatively

Be a Skeptic: Ask Questions

Beware of Cultural Bias

Do Your Preparation 

Develop Scientific Thinking

Cognitive Bias

Inspire Curiosity in Your Audience

Writing Economics

Ask the Right Questions

Present Yourself for Opportunity

Clarity: Making Your Message Count

Exploiting the Best of the Human Brain

Meet Your Instructor

Understanding the Perp and Victim: The Trailside Killer

Developing Intuition

Consuming and Criticizing Culture

Demystifying Math

Practice Critical Thinking and Critical Filtering

Meet Your Instructor: Noam Chomsky 

Enhance Critical Thinking Skills

What You Know Is Not as Important as How You Think

Zooming in and Zooming Out

Connect With Your Team

Computers and Chess

Build Your Career Blueprint

Embrace Critical Thinking & Data

Execute Operational Planning With Confidence

Determining M.O. vs. Signature: The BTK Strangler

Making Calculated Decisions: The Atlanta Child Murders

Ariel Investments Case Study Part 4: Hope is Not a Plan

Conclusion: Final Thoughts And Common Questions

Extreme Ownership

Leadership Law 1: Cover and Move

Achieve Freedom From Fear

Refine Actionable Decision Skills

Sell It

Enact a Learning Mindset for Innovation

Meet Your Instructor 

Math in Your Everyday Life

Solving Problems With Story

Transforming Problems

Games, Cheats, and Puzzles

Stumped

Finding Strength in Numbers

Everyone You’ll Ever Meet Knows Something You Don’t

Use Math Concepts to Solve Real Problems

Science & Technology

Teaches Scientific Thinking and Communication

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Guided by Leading Experts

Achieve More With GenAI

Teaches Poker Strategy

Phil Ivey

Phil Ivey Teaches Poker Strategy

With Leading Experts

Gut Health

Gut Health with Leading Experts

Teaches Values-Driven Leadership

Coach K

Coach K Teaches Values-Driven Leadership

Teaches Economics and Society

Paul Krugman

Teaches Space Exploration

Chris Hadfield

With Noted Experts

Crypto and the Blockchain

Teaches Filmmaking

James Cameron

James Cameron Teaches Filmmaking

Teaches Conservation

Dr. Jane Goodall

Dr. Jane Goodall Teaches Conservation

Teaches Business Innovation

Rosalind Brewer

Teaches Game Design and Theory

Will Wright

Will Wright Teaches Game Design and Theory

Teaches Poker

Daniel Negreanu

Daniel Negreanu Teaches Poker

Teaches Disruptive Entrepreneurship 

Richard Branson

Richard Branson Teaches Disruptive Entrepreneurship 

Teaches How to Think Like an FBI Profiler

John Douglas

Chris Hadfield and Noted Co-Experts

Crisis Day

Chris Voss and Noted Co-Experts

Small Habits that Make a Big Impact on Your Life

James Clear

James Clear: Small Habits that Make a Big Impact on Your Life

Navigating Change

Jay Shetty

Teaches Mathematical Thinking

Terence Tao

Teaches Music and Connection

Yo-Yo Ma

Yo-Yo Ma Teaches Music and Connection

Teaches Science and Problem-Solving

Bill Nye

Brain Health

Brain Health with Leading Experts

Think Like a Boss, Live Like a Legend

Martha Stewart

Teaches The Art of Negotiation

Chris Voss

Teaches the Art of Negotiation

Chris Voss Teaches The Art of Negotiation

Abstract thinking involves processing theoretical concepts. Abstract thinking skills allow people to exercise creativity, solve problems, and ruminate over complex problems. 

Abstract reasoning begins to develop during childhood and can instill lifelong [critical thinking](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-critical-thinking) and [decision-making](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/decision-making-styles) skills. Reading stories, learning new ideas, and understanding “the big picture” all involve abstract thinking. Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget argued children develop abstract reasoning skills as part of their final stage of cognitive development, beginning around age twelve.
Abstract and concrete thinkers take opposite approaches. Abstract reasoning skills center around the intangible: thoughts, ideas, and [symbols](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/writing-101-what-is-symbolism-symbolism-definition-and-examples-in-literature) to better understand the bigger picture (anthropological, economic, political) behind events and actions. Exercising a different <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-think-more-creatively' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-think-more-creatively","linkCopy":"type of thinking","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>type of thinking</a>, concrete reasoning involves physical objects a person can experience through the five senses—smell, taste, touch, hearing, and sight. 

In looking at US American [realist](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/realism-art-guide) painter Andrew Wyeth’s masterwork *Christina’s World* (1948), a concrete way of interpreting the painting would be to note the central woman, her pink dress, and a house in the distance. Abstract thinking abilities would unlock the deeper meanings behind the work: how the tawny colors symbolize loss, how the tableau evokes longing, and how Wyeth’s model for the painting experiences physical impairments, reflecting life’s hardships.
Abstract thinking strategies take many forms. Consider the following applications of conceptual thinking:

1. __Criticism__: In cultural criticism, abstract thinking may include [analyzing films](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/film-criticism-guide) using theories like the [Bechdel test](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bechdel-test-explained-plus-movies-that-pass), which considers how many movies feature two or more women who converse about something other than men. The more significant implication behind this test is women’s [representation in media](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/media-representation-tips-from-issa-rae).
2. __Literature__: Abstract thinkers can find deeper meaning through [symbolism in writing](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-symbolism-in-your-writing). Writers like David Foster Wallace and Thomas Pynchon are abstract thinkers, and their work features themes and hidden meanings that reward readers. Many writers can process information and tackle complex problems as thought exercises.
3. __Philosophy__: Abstract thinking can take on different perspectives and is often philosophical. Philosophers think critically about human nature and how care and selfishness collide. Sociological studies, which center on how communities form and their distinct [values](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/personal-values), also require abstract thinking skills. 
The ability to discuss and contemplate abstract ideas can positively affect your daily life. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can more easily grasp abstract concepts. Brain teasers, puzzles, crosswords, and analogies are all fun activities that help exercise abstract thinking processes, improving problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking skills. You can also engage in [figurative language](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/writing-101-what-is-figurative-language-learn-about-10-types-of-figurative-language-with-examples) writing exercises to develop conceptual thinking skills.

Abstract thought can be more difficult for some people to grasp as a concept. Those with mental health conditions such as brain injuries or learning disabilities may have difficulty with this form of thinking. 
All you need is a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) and our exclusive video lessons from the likes of Elaine Welteroth (the former <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-become-editor-in-chief' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-become-editor-in-chief","linkCopy":"editor in chief","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>editor in chief</a> of *Teen Vogue* and host of CBS’ *The Talk*), Issa Rae (the powerhouse multihyphenate behind HBO’s *Insecure*), Robin Arzón (the lawyer-turned-head instructor of Peloton), and other luminaries who have have embraced the twists and turns on the path to professional success. With their guidance, you’ll learn how to lean into your strengths, follow your heart, and build the career of your dreams. 
Abstract thinking skills are necessary to aid problem-solving and strengthen your critical thinking skills as well. Learn how to develop abstract reasoning skills.

Abstract thinking skills are necessary to aid problem-solving and strengthen your critical thinking skills as well. Learn how to develop abstract reasoning skills. 

Abstract Thinking: How to Develop Abstract Reasoning Skills

Abstract thinking involves processing theoretical concepts. Abstract thinking skills allow people to exercise creativity, solve problems, and ruminate over complex problems. Abstract reasoning begins to develop during childhood and can instill lifelong <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-critical-thinking' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-critical-thinking","linkCopy":"critical thinking","category":null}'>critical thinking</a> and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/decision-making-styles' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/decision-making-styles","linkCopy":"decision-making","category":null}'>decision-making</a> skills. Reading stories, learning new ideas, and understanding “the big picture” all involve abstract thinking. Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget argued children develop abstract reasoning skills as part of their final stage of cognitive development, beginning around age twelve.

What Is Abstract Thinking?

Abstract and concrete thinkers take opposite approaches. Abstract reasoning skills center around the intangible: thoughts, ideas, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/writing-101-what-is-symbolism-symbolism-definition-and-examples-in-literature' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/writing-101-what-is-symbolism-symbolism-definition-and-examples-in-literature","linkCopy":"symbols","category":null}'>symbols</a> to better understand the bigger picture (anthropological, economic, political) behind events and actions. Exercising a different <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-think-more-creatively' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-think-more-creatively","linkCopy":"type of thinking","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>type of thinking</a>, concrete reasoning involves physical objects a person can experience through the five senses—smell, taste, touch, hearing, and sight. In looking at US American <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/realism-art-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/realism-art-guide","linkCopy":"realist","category":null}'>realist</a> painter Andrew Wyeth’s masterwork Christina’s World (1948), a concrete way of interpreting the painting would be to note the central woman, her pink dress, and a house in the distance. Abstract thinking abilities would unlock the deeper meanings behind the work: how the tawny colors symbolize loss, how the tableau evokes longing, and how Wyeth’s model for the painting experiences physical impairments, reflecting life’s hardships.

Abstract Thinking vs. Concrete Thinking

Abstract thinking strategies take many forms. Consider the following applications of conceptual thinking:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Criticism: In cultural criticism, abstract thinking may include <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/film-criticism-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/film-criticism-guide","linkCopy":"analyzing films","category":null}'>analyzing films</a> using theories like the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bechdel-test-explained-plus-movies-that-pass' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bechdel-test-explained-plus-movies-that-pass","linkCopy":"Bechdel test","category":null}'>Bechdel test</a>, which considers how many movies feature two or more women who converse about something other than men. The more significant implication behind this test is women’s <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/media-representation-tips-from-issa-rae' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/media-representation-tips-from-issa-rae","linkCopy":"representation in media","category":null}'>representation in media</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Literature: Abstract thinkers can find deeper meaning through <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-symbolism-in-your-writing' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-symbolism-in-your-writing","linkCopy":"symbolism in writing","category":null}'>symbolism in writing</a>. Writers like David Foster Wallace and Thomas Pynchon are abstract thinkers, and their work features themes and hidden meanings that reward readers. Many writers can process information and tackle complex problems as thought exercises. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Philosophy: Abstract thinking can take on different perspectives and is often philosophical. Philosophers think critically about human nature and how care and selfishness collide. Sociological studies, which center on how communities form and their distinct <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/personal-values' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/personal-values","linkCopy":"values","category":null}'>values</a>, also require abstract thinking skills. </li></ol>

3 Examples of Abstract Thinking

The ability to discuss and contemplate abstract ideas can positively affect your daily life. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can more easily grasp abstract concepts. Brain teasers, puzzles, crosswords, and analogies are all fun activities that help exercise abstract thinking processes, improving problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking skills. You can also engage in <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/writing-101-what-is-figurative-language-learn-about-10-types-of-figurative-language-with-examples' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/writing-101-what-is-figurative-language-learn-about-10-types-of-figurative-language-with-examples","linkCopy":"figurative language","category":null}'>figurative language</a> writing exercises to develop conceptual thinking skills.Abstract thought can be more difficult for some people to grasp as a concept. Those with mental health conditions such as brain injuries or learning disabilities may have difficulty with this form of thinking.

How to Improve Abstract Thinking

All you need is a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and our exclusive video lessons from the likes of Elaine Welteroth (the former <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-become-editor-in-chief' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-become-editor-in-chief","linkCopy":"editor in chief","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>editor in chief</a> of Teen Vogue and host of CBS’ The Talk), Issa Rae (the powerhouse multihyphenate behind HBO’s Insecure), Robin Arzón (the lawyer-turned-head instructor of Peloton), and other luminaries who have have embraced the twists and turns on the path to professional success. With their guidance, you’ll learn how to lean into your strengths, follow your heart, and build the career of your dreams.

Ready to Start Designing Your Dream Career?

Abstract thinking skills are necessary to aid problem-solving and strengthen your critical thinking skills as well. Learn how to develop abstract reasoning skills.

Abstract thinking skills are necessary to aid problem-solving and strengthen your critical thinking skills as well. Learn how to develop abstract reasoning skills. 


A person pondering while looking out a window. 

abstract-thinking

Concrete thinking is a literal form of thinking that involves the physical world rather than analogies, [idioms](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-an-idiom-learn-how-to-use-idioms-in-writing), and deeper inferences. In early cognition, children learn concrete thinking before they learn [abstract thinking](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/abstract-thinking). For example, they learn to associate voices with certain people, sounds with certain toys, and smells with certain foods. 

As children age, more complex, abstract thinking begins to develop. For instance, in reading someone’s [body language](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-read-body-language), a concrete thinker might notice someone has a frowning facial expression and their shoulders close to their ears. Someone applying abstract thinking, on the other hand, might note this person’s physical posture showed a lack of comfort and perhaps depression symptoms.
Abstract thinking is a [type of thinking](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-thinking) that involves processing theoretical concepts. Abstract thinking skills allow people to exercise creativity, [problem-solve](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-develop-problem-solving-skills), and ruminate over complex problems. 

Abstract reasoning develops during childhood and can instill lifelong [critical thinking](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-critical-thinking) and [decision-making](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-informed-decisions) skills. Activities such as reading stories, learning new ideas, and understanding “the big picture” all involve abstract thinking. Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget argued young children develop abstract reasoning skills as part of their final stage of cognitive development, beginning around age twelve.

Brain injuries, autism spectrum disorder, and mental health disorders like schizophrenia and dementia can make it more challenging to practice abstract thinking strategies.
Abstract and concrete thinkers take opposite approaches. Abstract reasoning skills center around the intangible—thoughts, ideas, and symbols—to better understand the bigger picture (anthropological, economic, political) behind events and actions. Exercising a different type of thinking, concrete reasoning involves physical objects a person can experience through the five senses—smell, taste, touch, hearing, and sight. 

In looking at US American realist painter Andrew Wyeth’s masterwork *Christina’s World* (1948), a concrete way of interpreting the painting would be to note the central woman, her pink dress, and a house in the distance. Abstract thinking abilities would unlock the deeper meanings behind the work: how the tawny colors symbolize loss, how the tableau evokes longing, and how Wyeth’s model for the painting experiences physical impairments, reflecting life’s hardships.
The concrete thinking process involves thinking literally. You might think in a concrete way if:

1. __You have difficulty relating to others’ feelings__. One sign of concrete thinking is the inability to show [empathy](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-show-empathy) to others. You might be a concrete thinker if you lack social skills and it’s challenging to understand social cues and body language.
2. __You see only physical attributes__. Concrete thinking concerns only that which is physical. If a concrete thinker goes to a furniture store seeking a couch, they would say a sofa is boxy and brown. A more abstract thinker would see how that couch fits in with the rest of a home’s décor and what mood it suggests based on its upholstery and styling.
3. __You take idioms literally__. Concrete thinking involves literal thinking. People who gravitate toward concrete thinking might find it difficult to understand certain [idioms](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-an-idiom-learn-how-to-use-idioms-in-writing). idioms. For example, if someone uses the idiomatic phrase “turn over a new leaf,” it does not mean you should go outside, find a leaf, and flip it over. The idiom instead means to make a perspective or lifestyle shift to improve yourself.
Concrete thinking helps define key physical attributes. Through concrete thinking, you can associate certain people with specific colors and styles (based on their wardrobe), just as you connect certain bands with particular music types. Taking only these sensory elements into account, however, can be limiting. 

In work settings, only discussing the concrete parts of a project will come across as blunt and near-sighted. Abstract thinking expands group dynamics and invites [collaboration](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/collaboration-skills), [creativity](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/boosting-creativity), and new perspectives. 

For example, a shoe company might make the concrete observation that black shoes sell better in winter and yellow shoes sell better in summer. Abstract thinking goes a step further: snow and precipitation make it easier to sell black shoes in the darker winter months as stains won’t show as easily, whereas the bright and summery months invite shoes that reflect the look of the sun. This abstract observation could help the company invent seasonal lines and color-coordinated styles to influence shoppers’ habits.
The development of abstract thinking starts around adolescence, though you can hone more philosophical concepts in adulthood. Consider the following abstract-thinking strategies:

- __Identify patterns__. Abstract thinking is about the big picture. If you are solving a problem at work, consider whether you have seen a similar situation in your life. Connecting patterns is a great way to find solutions.
- __Pay attention to films__. Identify the overall tone through [cinematic storytelling](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/director-spike-lee-shares-cinematic-storytelling-tips) details. Each shot in a movie is a carefully rendered tableau rich in color, lighting, and focus. Consider how filmmakers use these tools and techniques to evoke a mood.
- __Talk to people__. Learning about other people’s perspectives is an excellent way to build empathy and develop abstract thinking skills. 
- Use metaphors. Speaking and writing in metaphors and analogies is one way to practice abstract thinking. [Figurative language](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-figurative-language-in-your-writing) connects concrete objects to abstract concepts. 
- __Visit a museum__. Engrossing yourself in the arts is one great way to become an abstract thinker. Visit a museum and study an artwork’s composition. Start with the concrete or familiar thinking style: consider the colors, the thickness of the brushstrokes, and where light comes from in the painting. Then consider the mood of the painting or its tone. Perhaps the image tells a story; study how all the physical elements at play contribute to the work’s overall sensation.
[MasterClass at Work](https://www.masterclass.com/for-business) is the learning platform to help unlock the full potential of your employees and inspire a learning lifestyle in everyone. From negotiation to mindfulness to baking—these are just a few things your teams can explore.
Employing different forms of thinking can help you with problem-solving, inviting you to make sense of the world around you when grasping both abstract ideas and concrete thoughts. Learn more about concrete thinking.

Employing different forms of thinking can help you with problem-solving, inviting you to make sense of the world around you when grasping both abstract ideas and concrete thoughts. Learn more about concrete thinking.

Concrete Thinking Definition: Concrete vs. Abstract Thinking

Concrete thinking is a literal form of thinking that involves the physical world rather than analogies, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-an-idiom-learn-how-to-use-idioms-in-writing' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-an-idiom-learn-how-to-use-idioms-in-writing","linkCopy":"idioms","category":null}'>idioms</a>, and deeper inferences. In early cognition, children learn concrete thinking before they learn <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/abstract-thinking' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/abstract-thinking","linkCopy":"abstract thinking","category":null}'>abstract thinking</a>. For example, they learn to associate voices with certain people, sounds with certain toys, and smells with certain foods. As children age, more complex, abstract thinking begins to develop. For instance, in reading someone’s <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-read-body-language' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-read-body-language","linkCopy":"body language","category":null}'>body language</a>, a concrete thinker might notice someone has a frowning facial expression and their shoulders close to their ears. Someone applying abstract thinking, on the other hand, might note this person’s physical posture showed a lack of comfort and perhaps depression symptoms.

Concrete Thinking Definition

Abstract thinking is a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-thinking' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-thinking","linkCopy":"type of thinking","category":null}'>type of thinking</a> that involves processing theoretical concepts. Abstract thinking skills allow people to exercise creativity, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-develop-problem-solving-skills' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-develop-problem-solving-skills","linkCopy":"problem-solve","category":null}'>problem-solve</a>, and ruminate over complex problems. Abstract reasoning develops during childhood and can instill lifelong <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-critical-thinking' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-critical-thinking","linkCopy":"critical thinking","category":null}'>critical thinking</a> and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-informed-decisions' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-informed-decisions","linkCopy":"decision-making","category":null}'>decision-making</a> skills. Activities such as reading stories, learning new ideas, and understanding “the big picture” all involve abstract thinking. Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget argued young children develop abstract reasoning skills as part of their final stage of cognitive development, beginning around age twelve.Brain injuries, autism spectrum disorder, and mental health disorders like schizophrenia and dementia can make it more challenging to practice abstract thinking strategies.

Abstract and concrete thinkers take opposite approaches. Abstract reasoning skills center around the intangible—thoughts, ideas, and symbols—to better understand the bigger picture (anthropological, economic, political) behind events and actions. Exercising a different type of thinking, concrete reasoning involves physical objects a person can experience through the five senses—smell, taste, touch, hearing, and sight. In looking at US American realist painter Andrew Wyeth’s masterwork Christina’s World (1948), a concrete way of interpreting the painting would be to note the central woman, her pink dress, and a house in the distance. Abstract thinking abilities would unlock the deeper meanings behind the work: how the tawny colors symbolize loss, how the tableau evokes longing, and how Wyeth’s model for the painting experiences physical impairments, reflecting life’s hardships.

The concrete thinking process involves thinking literally. You might think in a concrete way if:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. You have difficulty relating to others’ feelings. One sign of concrete thinking is the inability to show <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-show-empathy' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-show-empathy","linkCopy":"empathy","category":null}'>empathy</a> to others. You might be a concrete thinker if you lack social skills and it’s challenging to understand social cues and body language. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. You see only physical attributes. Concrete thinking concerns only that which is physical. If a concrete thinker goes to a furniture store seeking a couch, they would say a sofa is boxy and brown. A more abstract thinker would see how that couch fits in with the rest of a home’s décor and what mood it suggests based on its upholstery and styling. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. You take idioms literally. Concrete thinking involves literal thinking. People who gravitate toward concrete thinking might find it difficult to understand certain <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-an-idiom-learn-how-to-use-idioms-in-writing' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-an-idiom-learn-how-to-use-idioms-in-writing","linkCopy":"idioms","category":null}'>idioms</a>. idioms. For example, if someone uses the idiomatic phrase “turn over a new leaf,” it does not mean you should go outside, find a leaf, and flip it over. The idiom instead means to make a perspective or lifestyle shift to improve yourself. </li></ol>

3 Concrete Thinking Examples

Concrete thinking helps define key physical attributes. Through concrete thinking, you can associate certain people with specific colors and styles (based on their wardrobe), just as you connect certain bands with particular music types. Taking only these sensory elements into account, however, can be limiting. In work settings, only discussing the concrete parts of a project will come across as blunt and near-sighted. Abstract thinking expands group dynamics and invites <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/collaboration-skills' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/collaboration-skills","linkCopy":"collaboration","category":null}'>collaboration</a>, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/boosting-creativity' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/boosting-creativity","linkCopy":"creativity","category":null}'>creativity</a>, and new perspectives. For example, a shoe company might make the concrete observation that black shoes sell better in winter and yellow shoes sell better in summer. Abstract thinking goes a step further: snow and precipitation make it easier to sell black shoes in the darker winter months as stains won’t show as easily, whereas the bright and summery months invite shoes that reflect the look of the sun. This abstract observation could help the company invent seasonal lines and color-coordinated styles to influence shoppers’ habits.

How Concrete Thinking Can Hold You Back

The development of abstract thinking starts around adolescence, though you can hone more philosophical concepts in adulthood. Consider the following abstract-thinking strategies:<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Identify patterns. Abstract thinking is about the big picture. If you are solving a problem at work, consider whether you have seen a similar situation in your life. Connecting patterns is a great way to find solutions. </li><li class="">Pay attention to films. Identify the overall tone through <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/director-spike-lee-shares-cinematic-storytelling-tips' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/director-spike-lee-shares-cinematic-storytelling-tips","linkCopy":"cinematic storytelling","category":null}'>cinematic storytelling</a> details. Each shot in a movie is a carefully rendered tableau rich in color, lighting, and focus. Consider how filmmakers use these tools and techniques to evoke a mood. </li><li class="">Talk to people. Learning about other people’s perspectives is an excellent way to build empathy and develop abstract thinking skills. </li><li class="">Use metaphors. Speaking and writing in metaphors and analogies is one way to practice abstract thinking. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-figurative-language-in-your-writing' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-figurative-language-in-your-writing","linkCopy":"Figurative language","category":null}'>Figurative language</a> connects concrete objects to abstract concepts. </li><li class="">Visit a museum. Engrossing yourself in the arts is one great way to become an abstract thinker. Visit a museum and study an artwork’s composition. Start with the concrete or familiar thinking style: consider the colors, the thickness of the brushstrokes, and where light comes from in the painting. Then consider the mood of the painting or its tone. Perhaps the image tells a story; study how all the physical elements at play contribute to the work’s overall sensation. </li></ul>

How to Become an Abstract Thinker

<a href='https://www.masterclass.com/for-business' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/for-business","linkCopy":"MasterClass at Work","category":null}'>MasterClass at Work</a> is the learning platform to help unlock the full potential of your employees and inspire a learning lifestyle in everyone. From negotiation to mindfulness to baking—these are just a few things your teams can explore.

MasterClass at Work

Employing different forms of thinking can help you with problem-solving, inviting you to make sense of the world around you when grasping both abstract ideas and concrete thoughts. Learn more about concrete thinking.

Employing different forms of thinking can help you with problem-solving, inviting you to make sense of the world around you when grasping both abstract ideas and concrete thoughts. Learn more about concrete thinking.


Man improving his abstract thinking skills by visiting an art museum.

concrete-thinking

Systems thinking foregrounds looking at the big picture over making minor fixes to small details. In this approach, you take a hard, long, and holistic look at the whole before breaking it down into its subsequent parts. The basic premise is simple: The more you understand how an entire system functions, the better you’ll be able to implement changes to independent parts of that system.

For instance, think of something like climate change. You might feel it’s necessary to overhaul one element of environmental policy at a time, but this approach can have unintended consequences. In your myopic focus on a specific part of the climate, you might worsen another element of the ecosystem. Suppose you successfully remove all gas-powered vehicles from the road but then increase reliance on fossil fuels for the electrical grid itself. By applying systems thinking, you could have seen this problem ahead of time and come up with a solution amenable to both circumstances.
Systems thinking focuses on improving the entirety of a holistic system, while [design thinking](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/design-thinking-explained) revolves around foregrounding a positive design experience for users. The former also derives from systems theory in the abstract, while the latter comes from a desire to make intuitive and helpful improvements to systemic design in particular. 

Both design and systems models can intersect in positive ways. In short, while systems thinking likely involves design thinking, design thinking is just one aspect of systems thinking.
Systems thinking has an almost limitless range of applications for [problem-solving](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/creative-problem-solving). By implementing systems theory, you can achieve greater efficiency, success, and [sustainability](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/three-pillars-of-sustainability) as well. It can help you better understand patterns of behavior among [coworkers](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-deal-with-difficult-coworkers), issues with [project management](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/project-management-guide), or areas of concern with your manufacturing process. Any time you see an opportunity to look at things from a wide-angle view, you can likely benefit from applying systems thinking.
Systems thinking emanates from the idea that various moving parts always add to a functional or dysfunctional whole. These are just a few key concepts in the discipline:

- __Cause and effect__: Strive to see how every part of a system affects the others. To do so, start from the widest possible view. Ask yourself what you hope the ultimate effect of the entire system will be and work back from there. Consider using causal loop diagrams and other charts to help you better visualize this process.
- __Holistic awareness__: In the systems approach, you aim for holistic awareness before you home in on specific expertise. Complex systems require a great deal of analysis—you need to be able to see them from every possible angle. The greater understanding you have of a totality, the easier it’ll be to develop an accurate view of the problems each part of that whole faces.
- __Interdependence__: In systems science and theory, every element somehow connects to each of its component parts. When you see how an entire system works at once, you can reach for specific leverage points to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
The iceberg methodology is a mental model you can use to jumpstart your systems thinking. Start with a specific event or problem your organization faces. This is the tip of the iceberg. Now analyze the patterns and trends related to that issue. As you move deeper into your analysis, consider the underlying structures and mental models that led to these patterns. This will bring you greater clarity about why something happened than if you had just examined it in a vacuum. 

Systems thinkers will also benefit from moving up the bottom of the iceberg to the top as well. This helps you prevent negative events from occurring in the first place since you already know what leads to them on a deeper level. Flow diagrams and other systems thinking tools can also prove useful on this front.
Systems thinking is a tool you can use to understand your own organization and the complex world around you. Here are just a few tips to consider when implementing it yourself:

- __Address underlying structures__. Start by looking at the big picture of your organization from a systems perspective. The better you understand the underlying parts of the entire system, the better you’ll be able to sidestep or preemptively solve problems arising from them. A house needs a firm foundation so all the other building blocks can sit atop it.
- __Ask the right questions__. Approach your business with system dynamics in mind. Ask customers or coworkers for feedback so you can start to put case studies together. These will help you get a fuller picture of your organization. Build an iceberg model with this information in mind and base your [decision-making](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/decision-making-styles) on that.
- __Work as a team__. Reach out to all relevant [stakeholders](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/stakeholder-explained) to get a holistic picture of your organization as a system. The more different perspectives you collect, the more colorful your comprehension will be of how you all work together.
[MasterClass at Work](https://www.masterclass.com/for-business) is the learning platform to help unlock the full potential of your employees and inspire a learning lifestyle in everyone. From negotiation to mindfulness to baking—these are just a few things your teams can explore.
Solving complex problems requires outside-the-box thinking. If you spend all your time looking at the finer details, you might miss the forest for the trees. Systems thinking empowers you to look at the totality of how an interlocking set of parts functions. Analyzing system behavior in this way helps you comprehend your business or organization on a much deeper level.

Solving complex problems requires outside-the-box thinking. If you spend all your time looking at the finer details, you might miss the forest for the trees. Systems thinking empowers you to look at the totality of how an interlocking set of parts functions. Analyzing system behavior in this way helps you comprehend your business or organization on a much deeper level.

Systems Thinking: Using the Iceberg Model of Systems Thinking

Systems thinking foregrounds looking at the big picture over making minor fixes to small details. In this approach, you take a hard, long, and holistic look at the whole before breaking it down into its subsequent parts. The basic premise is simple: The more you understand how an entire system functions, the better you’ll be able to implement changes to independent parts of that system.For instance, think of something like climate change. You might feel it’s necessary to overhaul one element of environmental policy at a time, but this approach can have unintended consequences. In your myopic focus on a specific part of the climate, you might worsen another element of the ecosystem. Suppose you successfully remove all gas-powered vehicles from the road but then increase reliance on fossil fuels for the electrical grid itself. By applying systems thinking, you could have seen this problem ahead of time and come up with a solution amenable to both circumstances.

What Is Systems Thinking?

Systems thinking focuses on improving the entirety of a holistic system, while <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/design-thinking-explained' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/design-thinking-explained","linkCopy":"design thinking","category":null}'>design thinking</a> revolves around foregrounding a positive design experience for users. The former also derives from systems theory in the abstract, while the latter comes from a desire to make intuitive and helpful improvements to systemic design in particular. Both design and systems models can intersect in positive ways. In short, while systems thinking likely involves design thinking, design thinking is just one aspect of systems thinking.

Systems Thinking vs. Design Thinking

Solving complex problems requires outside-the-box thinking. If you spend all your time looking at the finer details, you might miss the forest for the trees. Systems thinking empowers you to look at the totality of how an interlocking set of parts functions. Analyzing system behavior in this way helps you comprehend your business or organization on a much deeper level.

Solving complex problems requires outside-the-box thinking. If you spend all your time looking at the finer details, you might miss the forest for the trees. Systems thinking empowers you to look at the totality of how an interlocking set of parts functions. Analyzing system behavior in this way helps you comprehend your business or organization on a much deeper level.


Use Science and Math to Solve Problems