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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Maynerd on January 25, 2006, at 14:35:51
Recently in a class I am taking we discussed a theory about how people think. The basic idea was that when we are children we think in images, but from the point where we start to learn language we tranform to thinking in words.
The author further states that this transformation is different for each person, although most Americans seem to be almost all word thinkers with the 'artists' using a combination of words and images.
Do you agree with this, and if so which do you think you are? I find myself agreeing, and think I am a combination of both with a strong leaning towards thinking in images. I find myself thinking in words when dealing with real life things such as school and work, but images when daydreaming, meditating, and writing things like poetry (poetry seems more like a combination actually).
Posted by wildcard11 on January 25, 2006, at 14:53:43
In reply to How do you think?, posted by Maynerd on January 25, 2006, at 14:35:51
Very interesting indeed. I tend to lean more towards thinking in words and not images. I would want to read more in detail though...
ps~are we helping with your work? ;-)
Posted by sleepygirl on January 25, 2006, at 17:33:20
In reply to How do you think?, posted by Maynerd on January 25, 2006, at 14:35:51
both I guess. My head always has pictures in it of people and places and things. Interesting stuff, things are lost a lot when they have to be described by words alone. It's really hard to completely describe a lot of things with just words, because they are also seen and heard and felt. I think this is one big reason that the creative arts can be of great value with music, dance, art therapy etc.
Posted by Phillipa on January 25, 2006, at 17:44:10
In reply to Re: How do you think? » Maynerd, posted by sleepygirl on January 25, 2006, at 17:33:20
My thoughts are language so I guess my answer is words. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by sleepygirl on January 25, 2006, at 17:46:22
In reply to How do you think?, posted by Maynerd on January 25, 2006, at 14:35:51
Posted by gee on January 25, 2006, at 17:50:37
In reply to Re: How do you think?, posted by Phillipa on January 25, 2006, at 17:44:10
I think I think in both words and pictures. I know when I switch my brain into French it's pictures. And my word order changes as well. I tried to do a presentation today right after french lit class, and my english word order was all off. Any ideas why Maynard?
What does it mean if a person thinks in pictures or words? Are you suppose to think in words by the time you're a certain age?
Posted by Maynerd on January 25, 2006, at 20:05:42
In reply to Re: How do you think? » Maynerd, posted by wildcard11 on January 25, 2006, at 14:53:43
You all are helping me with my own knowledge as this was only inspired by school, not any assignment for it. It started because a friend insisted I read a poem by someone that they thought was simply marvelous, yet to me it was nothing more than some sentences arranged cleverly in a specific structure without any real point. She got upset with me and pointed out the metaphorical meaning of it all; I said "so?!?" I showed her a poem a poem a BP friend had written and she thought it was lousy because it didn't have structure or any deeper, hidden meaning. I said yes, but doesn't it 'paint' an image in your head? Not for her, but when I read it her words created an emotional image that I can't really describe other than that. I realize now that my friend read and thought about poetry in words; I read and think about poetry in images. It amazes me how many of the people around here seem to be predominantly word thinkers, although all seem to think in images at least a little bit. What can I say, the human mind is such an amazing thing. I could sit here and think about it all day.
This is the end of the thread.
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