Linear and Circular Thinking
I have been doing a great deal of thinking about thinking. I have been reading several fascinating books about the brain and how we process the world out and in there. Many authors talk about the differences between linear and non-linear/circular thinking, left-hemisphere vs right-hemisphere dominance, verbal vs spatial dominance, etc… I have posted about this topic in the past and have some additional insights after reading these other authors and researchers.
My focus will be more on the circular thinking side of the equation rather than the linear or verbal side. Circular or non-linear thinking is rather fascinating and has its +’s and -’s depending on which side of the equation you are on. What I mean is that circular thinking (other terms used: divergent thinking, ability to see patterns, brain lock, over-thinking, creativity) can be very positive for solving problems where someone just wants to stay with a problem and goes over and over possible solutions until the “eureka” moment occurs. But it is not so wonderful when that same “brain lock” occurs when you are taking out the garbage and notice something different about the garbage bag that you begin to dwell on and come back to repeatedly. Not a good use of your time. Solving a problem, it works wonders; taking out the garbage, not so much!!
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Authors and researchers think of linear thinking as a straight line and circular thinking as a spiral where one utilizes previous learning in new ways. But this circular thinking can be positive and spiral upward in a creative jump, or it can spiral downward into a hellish pit of rubbish where it is difficult to get centered again. Unfortunately, it is difficult, if not impossible, shutting off this circular spiral which one finds so appealing because of all the successes one has had in the past. But when it crosses over to everyday life from problem solving, it can become staggering to keep an even keel and your head straight. That is why it is nice when verbal linear thought, which just moves forward, would be a great asset. No dwelling on a present thought because it is overtaken by our next, successive thought.
The other thing that many of the authors who I have been reading lately talk about is this continuum of thinking and it is not all or none where people only possess one set of traits that identify them as either verbal or spatial thinkers. We have a bit of both in all of us; it is finding how much of each is present in particular quantities. Some of us are good at writing and linear thinking in tying things together but that does not mean that we can’t visualize things and think in pictures or objects or see patterns in data. Probably not as good as writing it down but it may still be present in some form. And it works the other way as well.
So think about how you approach problems, are you a linear thinker, looking for the correct response quickly, a problem solver, open to out of the box thinking, do you over-think and come back to problems time and again, do you need more time or are you quick to see solutions? All are important in this quest of understanding our world and we need all of you to solve the immense problems we are faced with. Problem solving is more effective when it is done in groups rather than by individuals today. We need everyone’s input, everyone should have an equal voice and opportunity to contribute to solving the problems we encounter.
