Thinking Style: What are the Five Thinking Styles?

Thinking style is the way of processing information. It involves organizing thoughts,

forming views and opinions and applying personal values to solve problems and make
decisions to express oneself to others.

We employ different ways of thinking that range from some learners taking a creative
approach and others adopting an analytical one. While all learners are different and
have unique minds, our tendencies are summed up into five recognized thinking styles:
synthesists, idealists, pragmatists, analysts or problem solvers. 

1. Synthesists: Creative thinkers who tend to be challenging and skeptical. They

are able to juggle arguments and form new ideas from conflicts. Synthesists are
largely defined by their creative and curious nature, they love to explore more
ideas and consider a range of views and possibilities. However, some people
perceive them as argumentative, but they can prevent the perception by
acknowledging ideas before presenting alternatives. For example, to connect
well with synthesists, listen appreciatively to them and do not confuse their
argumentative nature with resistance. Once you sit through their theorizing, they
will sell themselves to you. 

2. Idealists: This may be a thinking style for you if you respond to others

attentively, avoid conflict and focus on the whole. Idealists are goal-
setters. Learn about SMART goal setting  on our blog. Idealists always work hard
toward life goals. And others might look at them as perfectionists but in their
way, they simply put their best foot forward. These individuals are future-
oriented and value teamwork. While they have their way of working with certain
expectations and standards to maintain, others might not match up with their
standards. For example, They will always strive for agreement and they feel
disappointed when their team doesn’t agree. If you are a person who is unwilling
to compromise with others’ perspectives, then they will be reluctant to grant you
full authority. 

3. Pragmatists: These are logical thinkers who look for immediate results.

Pragmatists like to experiment and brainstorm. They are also good at convincing
others and have a willingness to agree with others’ ideas. They value
creativeness and innovation hence don’t like to waste time. Their approach to
 problem-solving is logical and step-by-step. But they are not interested in the big
picture, unlike idealists. While pragmatists get the work done, they can benefit
more from reflecting on big ideas. For example, It is advised to emphasise short-
term objectives to communicate effectively with pragmatic bosses. Do not
overload them with data and an overall plan - it is possible they may get bored. 

4. Analysts: Known to gather facts and figures; they like being accurate and
rational. If someone values accuracy, attention to detail and thrive on data while
maintaining lists, valuing rules and breaking problems into parts; this may be
your thinking style. These individuals let go of others’ ideas but they should open
their minds and look for options. For example, To get analyst bosses on board,
you must provide a logical plan with backup data and specifications. Your data
should not have any typographical errors, misspelt words or numbers. 

5. Realists: They like to get the job done and are perfect problem-solvers. Realists
do whatever it takes to solve the problem at hand and get bored if life doesn’t
offer challenges. They like to go get right at tasks and get them done with more
reliance on your senses to know about the world and concepts. They need to
take a little more time to gather information and find the best possible solution.
It is not always about coming first, it's about being right! For example,
Communicating effectively with realist thinker bosses; you need to provide
detailed information in a structured manner. To get noticed and become an
expert in their eyes you need to make sure you have assembled a store of facts
in which they are interested with the set of actions proposed. 

Which thinking style works best?

Each thinking style has its significance and its own strengths and weaknesses. You need
to understand and accept what works best for you. Adopting others’ thinking style isn’t
a choice but by thinking strategically and tweaking your approach you can find efficient
solutions to problems. Therefore, know your thinking style and use it to your very best
advantage
Individuals think and
learn in distinct ways. In any group of learners, there will always be different
learning characteristics,
particularly in the learners’ manner of processing information. Some would absorb the
lesson better when
they work with their hands than when they just listen. Others would prefer to watch a
video about a topic.
Students, likewise, have preferred ways of expressing their thoughts, feelings
and ideas. Some would
prefer to write, others would draw or even dance and sing. These preferences involve
thinking/ learning
styles and multiple intelligences
Individuals think and
learn in distinct ways. In any group of learners, there will always be different
learning characteristics,
particularly in the learners’ manner of processing information. Some would absorb the
lesson better when
they work with their hands than when they just listen. Others would prefer to watch a
video about a topic.
Students, likewise, have preferred ways of expressing their thoughts, feelings
and ideas. Some would
prefer to write, others would draw or even dance and sing. These preferences involve
thinking/ learning
styles and multiple intelligences
Individuals think and
learn in distinct ways. In any group of learners, there will always be different
learning characteristics,
particularly in the learners’ manner of processing information. Some would absorb the
lesson better when
they work with their hands than when they just listen. Others would prefer to watch a
video about a topic.
Students, likewise, have preferred ways of expressing their thoughts, feelings
and ideas. Some would
prefer to write, others would draw or even dance and sing. These preferences involve
thinking/ learning
styles and multiple intelligences

 Thinking Styles are a core element in learning. It frames the context for how a
student stores information. 
 Just like learning styles, thinking styles are different for everyone. 
The brain is a thinking machine. Just as everyone has a specific style of speaking, the
brain has a specific style of thinking. From one point-of-view the brain can be thought
of as an information device. It’s designed to gather information about the environment
to keep you safe from danger and alert to opportunities.

Your thinking style is going to be approaching the knowledge from many different
points of view. The problem occurs when students think that they know a topic, but
really, they just know one perspective of the topic. They just know the details, the
definitions, and not necessarily how everything fits together or connects. For example,
students may know how to do a math problem but they may not necessarily know why
it works or what it’s called.

When you know your thinking style, you’ll know your strength and you’ll also know
what thinking styles you need to develop. Ideally, you will become comfortable in each
of the three thinking styles. You will get in the habit of taking notes with each question
answered for each concept, and include each thinking style in your writing.