What Is Concrete Thinking?
For some people, "black and white" or "extreme" thinking is the norm. The ability to think in this way, which many know as concrete thinking, may help someone make decisions effectively in their everyday life. Concrete thinking can also cut through the complexities around an issue to help you possibly find solutions, or help with mental health challenges like intrusive memories. However, "black and white thinking" can also be a form of cognitive distortion, which may be unhealthy, depending on context.
While there may not be a "right" or "wrong" way of thinking, better understanding your tendencies and thought patterns may help you enhance your relationships. Understanding the different types of concrete thinking, supportive strategies to address it, and the role that therapy may take in restructuring it can be beneficial if concrete thinking has caused any challenges in your life.
What is concrete thinking?
Concrete thinking or concrete reasoning is often regarded as a literal form of processing information that exists in the physical world.
Difficulty changing plans or routines
People who think concretely may struggle to conceptualize abstract ideas or thought patterns; this tendency might be perceived as stubbornness or inflexibility by others. In addition, literal thinking may sometimes impair one's ability to make decisions, solve problems, or understand figurative language.
For example, consider someone who always cleans their home on Thursdays, never swaying from this routine. An emergency may occur on Thursday, disrupting the person's regular pattern and routine. As a result, this person may struggle to do anything else until their house is clean, even if the emergency needs immediate attention.
Thinking in extremes
A person who thinks concretely may often think in extremes. It can be difficult for them to understand any information that doesn’t relate to the concrete details of a situation. They may also struggle to acknowledge the gray areas of certain circumstances. This concrete thinking strategy can be perceived as dogmatic and may negatively influence relationships because it can make compromise challenging.
However, there are times when the concrete thinking process can be helpful and effective in moving someone through a situation. Learning about differences in thought-processing styles and the range in which humans can experience cognition can lead to a more empathetic and understanding environment for those of all tendencies and processing styles.
Concrete versus abstract processing: A comparison
One of the opposite forms of concrete thinking is abstract thinking or abstract reasoning. Unlike a concrete thinker, an abstract thinker can often process philosophical concepts and imagine ideas that may not be physically present. People with the ability to think abstractly may better understand the theories behind actions, complete theoretical math problems, or engage in creative endeavors.
Abstract thinkers can utilize this way of thinking to solve problems throughout their lives. Because they may be able to use their abstract reasoning skills and imaginations in different ways compared to concrete thinkers, people who think abstractly may be able to show empathy more easily.
However, human thinking may not be 100% abstract or concrete because the world is not black and white. Often, people experience a spectrum of thought that varies in different settings, as well as with different physical objects and stimuli. One person may be a more concrete thinker, while another may be a more abstract thinker. Depending on the situation, you may fall somewhere in the middle. How you process your thoughts can be comprised of factors related to biology, genetics, and life experiences.
Concrete operational thinking
Many people know how to think concretely if the setting calls for it. For many, concrete operational thinking develops between the ages of seven and 11. Around this time, children can learn how to think and perform mental operations using concrete thought. They may begin to understand that an object can be the same in many forms, even if cut in half or quartered (a form of thinking that builds on the concept of object permanence they learned earlier in life). This way of thinking can contribute to mental development and problem-solving abilities.
Is concrete thinking holding you back?
If the development of abstract thinking is hindered or a person’s thought processes tend to be primarily concrete, they may experience specific difficulties associated with using concrete thinking as a dominant form of thinking. These difficulties may include the following:
- Difficulty changing plans last minute
- Difficulty making last-minute plans
- Difficulty seeing someone make changes in their personality
- Challenges changing your daily routine
- Seeing many situations as "all negative" or "all positive"
Conversely, if you are prone to more abstract thinking, you may struggle to remain grounded or see specific areas of life as absolutes.
How to develop abstract thinking skills
In some cases, concrete thinking may be a sign of a neurological or developmental disorder, like autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, or dementia. Those experiencing autism spectrum disorders and other neurological conditions may need different assistance to address concrete thinking patterns and should consult with their doctor.
For others dealing with concrete thinking patterns, shifting your thought process may provide relief and comfort. This is often done by attaining a balanced way of thinking that adopts more of a spectrum between concrete and abstract thinking rather than a linear model. The following tools and supportive strategies may help you shift your thought patterns and experience a higher quality of life as you navigate communication and life challenges.
Challenge yourself
Instead of completing your routine as you've completed it in the past, you may try changing it slightly. It can be challenging to develop a new routine, and it may seem counterproductive. However, you might notice that you enjoy the new routine more or can find a more flexible or efficient way to get through your day.
You could also consider why other people make different choices than you with similar activities. For example, observe someone else completing a task in a way that's different from your approach. Ask yourself what in their approach might work for them and how it might benefit your own. Self-reflection may offer growth and development of thought processes and styles.
Discuss your experience with your loved ones
Concrete thinking may affect your relationships at times. If you'd like to change how your thinking impacts others, consider discussing it with the people you love and trust. Let them know how you plan to make changes, and ask them for their advice and feedback.
Read about cognitive restructuring
Challenging yourself to learn and understand the concepts and theories behind cognition and cognitive development can help you change your thinking. Tactics like cognitive restructuring are often used in therapeutic modalities like cognitive-behavioral therapy to help clients change their thoughts if they're experiencing cognitive distortions like "black and white" thinking. These concepts may be challenging to learn at first. However, if you struggle to understand them, a cognitive-behavioral therapist may be able to support you as you learn.
Try a therapy group
RO-DBT is a therapy explicitly founded for those struggling with concrete thinking as a symptom of a mental illness like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD). Radically-open dialectical-behavioral therapy (RO-DBT) focuses on how individuals can become more open to unique, spontaneous, and open-minded thought patterns. Each group participant may receive an RO-DBT workbook with worksheets and ideas to cope with common symptoms associated with black-and-white thinking and other concrete thought-related challenges.
Seek therapeutic support
For additional support in understanding how concrete thinking affects you, your relationships, and your life, you may choose to seek an in-person or online individual counselor. A counselor may teach you tools to help you recognize concrete thinking and develop and strengthen abstract thinking skills if applicable.
Online therapy to address abstract and concrete thought patterns
If you are working to find new methods of cognition as a concrete thinker, it may be challenging to physically leave the house to seek support if it might interrupt your routine. In these cases, online therapy through an online counseling provider like BetterHelp may allow you to receive convenient and flexible services via a smart device in your own home. Your counselor can also be available via in-app messaging for additional support in more challenging moments, should you need it. This type of flexibility may be unavailable in specific in-person therapeutic formats.
Many therapeutic modalities can be practiced online, including RO-DBT or cognitive-behavioral therapy. One study found that online CBT could be as effective as in-person therapy in treating common mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, and social anxiety disorder. If you're looking to learn cognitive restructuring techniques or need help coping with anxiety or depression symptoms, an online CBT therapist can offer these techniques as efficiently as an in-person therapist can. You may also be able to receive worksheets from your device to fill out immediately after sessions.
Takeaway
What does it mean if a person is a concrete thinker?
A concrete thinker, or literal thinker, is someone who tends to take information at face value, focus on the present information, or someone who prefers clear information. Unlike concrete thinkers, abstract thinkers tend to think more conceptually or philosophically.
People who are concrete thinkers may tend towards black-or-white thinking and have difficulty relating to others, telling jokes, or speaking figuratively. While many adults possess the capacity for both concrete and abstract thinking, it’s common for people with intellectual disabilities, dementia, brain injuries, or autism spectrum disorder to think more concretely.
What is the difference between abstract and concrete thinking?
Both abstract and concrete thinking are types of thought processes. Concrete thinking is a type of reasoning that relies heavily on what is observable in the immediate physical world. Abstract thinking, on the other hand, is more conceptual or theoretical.
What is an example of concrete thinking schizophrenia?
Concrete or over-literal thinking is a common symptom of schizophrenia, particularly in cases of severe or chronic schizophrenia. For example, some people with schizophrenia may find it difficult to understand figurative speech, such as, “The boss is a clown,” or, “The pen is mightier than the sword.”
What is an example of concrete thinking in real life?
Examples of concrete thinking include believing that when someone says the meeting will be “a piece of cake,” they mean that dessert will be served, or they may think someone saying, “I’ll be done in a sec,” means that they’ll literally be done in a second.
While concrete thinking is not always beneficial, it can help people reach conclusions more efficiently and focus on practical applications. It can be particularly useful in independent roles and supervisory jobs.
What is an example of concrete thinking for kids?
During cognitive development in childhood, concrete thinking develops before abstract thinking. Examples of concrete thinking may include going to a furniture store and looking for any couch, whereas an abstract thinking may be more likely to consider the dimensions, color, and style of the room where the couch will go. Additionally, people who think concretely may think that someone saying, “Susan is a busy bee,” means that Susan is literally a bee rather than a person who’s very busy.
How to teach students in the concrete operational stage?
Jean Piaget, a renowned Swiss psychologist and cognitive development theorist, proposed the following stages of cognitive development:
- Sensorimotor stage: Up to two years old
- Preoperational stage: Ages two to seven
- Concrete operational stage: Ages seven to 11
- Formal operational stage: Ages 12 and older
During the concrete operational stage, thinking is primarily concrete, though more sophisticated than the previous stages.
When teaching children in this stage, it’s recommended that they’re given time to play with building blocks, interact and do things for other students, read stories and pause to consider what might happen next, and compare items and liquids of various sizes.
Which is a characteristic of a child in the concrete operational stage?
The concrete operational stage serves as a transition stage between very highly concrete thinking and more broad, generalizable, abstract thought. Some of the characteristics of this stage include increased logical thinking, reduced egocentrism, and the ability to focus on many elements of the same situation at a given time.
Can children in the concrete operational stage think abstractly?
The concrete operational stage is a transitional period between the preoperational and formal operational stage, typically occurring around ages seven to 11. While children in this stage begin to understand that other people have different perspectives, they will typically still struggle with understanding abstract concepts (such as philosophy) and hypotheticals, and instead think very logically and concretely.
What is the difference between concrete operational thinking and formal operational thinking?
The primary difference between the two stages is the development of abstract thought, deductive reasoning (rather than inductive reasoning), and improved logic. Adolescents in the formal operational stage can think more about hypotheticals, philosophic questions, ethics, politics, mathematics, and other subjects that require abstract thinking.
What can children do in the formal operational stage but not in the concrete operational stage?
In the formal operational stage, children become capable of hypothetical and abstract thought and often use logic to think about potential consequences before they act. They can also use inference and deductive reasoning to reason out word problems in their head without necessarily needing visual aids.
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