What way do you think?
August 3, 2011 11:34 PM
When you are thinking, what does it mean?
When I think of something, it most often means that I utter some sentences in my mind, silently, without any physical effects (other than brain activity of course). When I read, I utter the sentences that I read as well (in my mind, without saying anything loud of course). When I want to tell somebody someone, I will sometimes first "say it to myself" as well.
When I do some heavier problem solving, I sometimes first consciously think of the problem, then leave it aside for some time, and maybe again only utter some sentences about it to myself from time to time. Then the solution to the problem will sometimes just pop up like that after some time. So, I basically know two ways of thinking: verbal and completely unconscious.
My girlfriend on the other hand, almost never utters any sentences to herself, she has pictures popping up in her mind instead. When she reads, she doesn't tell the sentences to herself, she has pictures popping up for particular words. When she says something to someone, she never says it to herself first, she chooses the words at the moment she speaks. Almost all of her thinking is pictures.
This phenomena is described in many places, you can for example see the interesting Feynman video.
So, how do YOU think? I'm interested in the various other kinds of mental processes people might use, but also I would like to get at least a glimpse of what proportion of people use which way, so if you just say "Pictures" or "Sentences" it's great
When I think of something, it most often means that I utter some sentences in my mind, silently, without any physical effects (other than brain activity of course). When I read, I utter the sentences that I read as well (in my mind, without saying anything loud of course). When I want to tell somebody someone, I will sometimes first "say it to myself" as well.
When I do some heavier problem solving, I sometimes first consciously think of the problem, then leave it aside for some time, and maybe again only utter some sentences about it to myself from time to time. Then the solution to the problem will sometimes just pop up like that after some time. So, I basically know two ways of thinking: verbal and completely unconscious.
My girlfriend on the other hand, almost never utters any sentences to herself, she has pictures popping up in her mind instead. When she reads, she doesn't tell the sentences to herself, she has pictures popping up for particular words. When she says something to someone, she never says it to herself first, she chooses the words at the moment she speaks. Almost all of her thinking is pictures.
This phenomena is described in many places, you can for example see the interesting Feynman video.
So, how do YOU think? I'm interested in the various other kinds of mental processes people might use, but also I would like to get at least a glimpse of what proportion of people use which way, so if you just say "Pictures" or "Sentences" it's great
This post was deleted for the following reason: The question could be valid if you were asking for resources or references but doing a survey isn't a good fit with ask metafilter -- vacapinta
johnstein:
I stated the question quite a few times, I'm surprised it isn't clear. I am interested in a description of what happens in your consciousness when you consider yourself thinking, especially in various common situations in life, for example in those described in the parent post (reading, talking to people). I understand it might not always be possible to describe it precisely, but even a vague description I think would be interesting. And as I said, even just an answer if it's "pictures", "sentences" or something else from a bunch of people would be interesting just to get a feel for the proportions. Having said this, your answer certainly adds to the discussion anyway, so, thanks!
posted by jarekr at 12:11 AM on August 4, 2011
I stated the question quite a few times, I'm surprised it isn't clear. I am interested in a description of what happens in your consciousness when you consider yourself thinking, especially in various common situations in life, for example in those described in the parent post (reading, talking to people). I understand it might not always be possible to describe it precisely, but even a vague description I think would be interesting. And as I said, even just an answer if it's "pictures", "sentences" or something else from a bunch of people would be interesting just to get a feel for the proportions. Having said this, your answer certainly adds to the discussion anyway, so, thanks!
posted by jarekr at 12:11 AM on August 4, 2011
Both? Mostly words, but I see pictures too? (survey monkey might be your friend here)
posted by titanium_geek at 12:28 AM on August 4, 2011
posted by titanium_geek at 12:28 AM on August 4, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
What you are likely observing is the difference between stereotypical Right-Brained (feelers, think in pictures, see the whole picture at one time) vs Left-Brained (analytical thinking, verbal, focus on the details).
(obviously, this is a generalization. Most people have traits of both 'sides')
posted by johnstein at 11:55 PM on August 3, 2011