{"id":18592,"date":"2022-04-22T21:36:59","date_gmt":"2022-04-22T13:36:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.mindvalley.com\/?p=18592"},"modified":"2025-09-12T19:03:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T18:03:10","slug":"types-of-thinking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/types-of-thinking\/","title":{"rendered":"7 most common types of thinking & how to identify yours"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Here\u2019s a fun fact: Superman possesses genius-level intelligence and an eidetic memory (also known as photographic memory). This means he\u2019s able to speed read, absorb large amounts of information quickly, and process all this information in minute detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, there can only be one<\/em> Superman. But that doesn\u2019t stop us from possessing some degree of a superbrain<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Humans all have default types of thinking<\/strong>\u2014seven common ones, in fact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But why is this even a thing? It holds importance because when you\u2019re able to identify the type of thinker you are, you can hone in on your thinking skills and unleash your superintelligence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So dive in to discover the different types of thinking, how to identify yours, and how to improve it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of thinking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are seven most common types of thinking:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Creative thinking<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Analytical thinking<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Critical thinking<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Concrete thinking<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Abstract thinking<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Divergent thinking<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Convergent thinking<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The way one approaches problems and solutions relies more on how the brain manages and processes information than the facts presented. The thinking type they\u2019ve adopted to work for them really dictates the quality of their outcomes, outputs, and future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For example, like Superman, Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory<\/em> has one of the highest IQs<\/a> in pop culture and an eidetic memory. But when given the same problem, both of them will most likely approach it differently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    The mind responds to its programming just like a machine. But the difference between you and a machine is that you have the consciousness to choose what source code you want to input.<\/p>\n\u2014 Jim Kwik<\/a>, trainer of Mindvalley\u2019s Superbrain<\/em> program<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    So get in your best “The Thinker” pose\u2014let\u2019s deep-dive into the seven thinking types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Creative thinking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Creative thinking is synonymous with “thinking outside the box.<\/strong>” It\u2019s the ability to push past established thoughts, theories, rules, and procedures. In turn, it enables a person to conceive new and innovative ideas by looking at them from a different perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One great example of a creative thinker is Miki Agrawal<\/a>, trainer for Mindvalley\u2019s Zero to $100 Million<\/strong><\/em> program. She found herself facing very common issues\u2014stomach problems, period problems, and pooping problems. And the creative solutions this social entrepreneur came up with led her to create Wild, Thinx, and Tushy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Analytical thinking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Those who think analytically have a structured and methodical way of approaching tasks.<\/strong> They are left-brain<\/a> dominant individuals with the ability to take something that\u2019s whole and separate it into basic parts to be examined. This makes them great at problem-solving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One such thinker is Mindvalley\u2019s founder, Vishen. Given his position, having analytical skills<\/a> comes in handy when it comes to running a global company. This is especially true when it comes to identifying problems (remember the lockdowns?) and solving them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3. Critical thinking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    When it comes to <\/strong>critical thinking<\/strong><\/a>, a person exercises careful evaluation or judgment.<\/strong> This allows them to determine the authenticity, accuracy, worth, validity, or value of something. Rather than strictly breaking down information into parts, critical thinkers explore other elements that could impact the conclusions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Take Mark Cuban<\/a>, for instance. His role as a judge on Shark Tank requires him to evaluate each sales pitch carefully. He\u2019s also a huge advocate for people with this thinking type, making a prediction in an interview with CNBC that knowing how to think critically is \u201cgoing to be more valuable<\/em>\u201d than the trending careers (like programming) of today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    4. Concrete thinking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    For a concrete thinker, it\u2019s about practical thinking only, always literal and to the point.<\/strong> They mainly focus on what\u2019s in front of them, but not so much on what\u2019s beyond their viewpoint. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Idioms, metaphors, and analogies often go over their heads. \u201cIt\u2019s raining men<\/em>\u201d\u2014they\u2019ll take it at face value and expect to literally see men falling from the sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Infants are a great example of those with concrete thinking. They have yet to develop abstract thinking, so when there\u2019s a toy in front of them, they see it for what it is. Place a blanket over the toy, and the infant will think it has disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    5. Abstract thinking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    An abstract thinker is able to relate seemingly random things to each other and make the connections others find difficult to see.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Their forte? Hidden meanings behind things and relate them to other items, events, or experiences. They usually can observe things as theories and\/or possibilities. And they\u2019re often curious about how everything relates to the bigger picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Case in point: Robert Langdon from Dan Brown\u2019s The Da Vinci Code<\/em>. The fictional Harvard professor used abstract thinking as well as his knowledge of art history and symbology to decode various complex puzzles in the storyline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    6. Divergent thinking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Divergent thinkers take the path of exploring an infinite number of solutions to find one that is the most effective.<\/strong> So, instead of starting off with a set number of possibilities and converging on an answer, they go as far and wide as necessary and move outwards in search of the solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For example, if the faucet breaks, a divergent thinker would try to determine what caused the malfunction and look at all the possible ways to fix it. One option may be to call a plumber, while another may be researching a solution online or finding a video on YouTube.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It takes a little creativity when it comes to this type of thinker. So people like Leonardo Da Vinci use this type of intelligence<\/a> to stimulate his imagination and create lots of ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    7. Convergent thinking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    With convergent thinking, a person will focus on finding one, well-defined outcome. They\u2019ll target these possibilities, or converge them inward, to come up with a solution to a problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Now, let\u2019s go back to that broken faucet as an example. A convergent thinker will call the plumber right away to fix it. (Or in Sheldon Cooper\u2019s case<\/a>, fix it himself.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to identify your thinking type<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Knowing the way you think allows you to understand:<\/p>\n\n\n\n