The notion of the abstract has been handled in various fields . In psychology , this concept is also used. It refers to special concepts, which are usually built by the human mind.

We have the case of ideas such as: freedom, justice, feelings , and so on. These are abstract ideas, which do not exist in the real world. They are elaborate constructions of the mind that later become important concepts.

Importance of the abstract from the psychological point of view

From a psychological point of view, one of the advantages of abstract thinking is that it is quite general. An abstract idea can adapt to various circumstances . Perhaps an excellent example of abstract thinking is mathematics.

A number, a digit, is nothing more than a representation of a quantity. In turn, there is nothing more abstract than algebraic expressions. However, it happens that the notion of the abstract has also passed into the social sciences. And in a very peculiar way, it has transcended the world of art, surpassing the notion of mimesis.

In which case, the interesting thing about abstraction is that it triggers a way of thinking. A way of understanding the world where it is not necessary to have concrete things, nor to start from what is present in the reality or environment that surrounds us.

Concept and characteristics of abstract thinking

Abstraction is a procedure begun in philosophy to achieve universal concepts starting from individual objects, regardless of their specific spatial and temporal characteristics.

The concept has its importance in the history of psychology and has been rescued by empirical abstraction in Jean Piaget’s theory of intelligence. In addition, the notion of abstraction was studied by cognitive psychology , in the hands of J. Bruner , when he addressed the issue of the conformation of concepts and the learning process.

The definition of the abstract from the point of view of language

According to the Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (del.rae.es), to abstract is to separate, through an intellectual operation, a feature or quality of something to study them separately or reflect on their pure essence or notion. And it is that the term “abstract” has its origin in the Latin  abstrahĕre , which means “to drag away”, “to separate” or to separate “.

The process of abstraction is linked to the question of the formation of general ideas. It involves the process that allows thought to separate a general element from a complex perception, image, or concept.

Abstraction is a natural and necessary procedure that depends on the limitation, spontaneous or voluntary, of the realm of consciousness. To abstract is also seen as a separation operated in the raw information of the experience, in order to conform categories or notions.

For the psychologists Kurt Goldstein and Klaus Scherer, abstraction is the voluntary acceptance of a perspective, the spontaneous displacement from one perspective of the situation to another, the ability to consider the different aspects of a set, capturing the essential points, dividing it into sectors, and highlighting the common parts.

Piaget’s ideas regarding abstraction

Meanwhile, for Jean Piaget, abstraction is the process that leads to the formation of ideas. In this sense, it defines several types of abstraction, namely:

  1. Generalized abstraction , which isolates the primordial elements of things and their connections, which then allow the creation of classes;
  2. Isolating abstraction , which gives an independent character to abstract properties and relationships
  3. The idealizing abstraction , which is responsible for shaping the ideal models.

According to Piaget, the capacity for abstraction is uniquely human and supposes having achieved a level of development or cognitive capacity. Therefore, it is not something so casual or that it is scattered throughout nature.

Something important follows from the above: the intellectual development of human beings occurs thanks to the capacity for abstraction . Thanks to this ability, human beings have managed not only to create things, make inventions, develop technology … but also change their environment.

Jung’s notion of abstraction

According to CG Jung, abstraction is a spiritual quality that reveals the fundamental content by its correlation with elements identified as strange, differentiating it from the former.

For Jung, abstraction is not only a construct of thought, but of all psychological functions. It would then be worth differentiating several types of abstraction:

  1. An abstractive thinking that separates from what is strange a content defined by characteristics related to logical thinking
  2. An abstractive feeling that separates sentimental content from what is strange
  3. An abstract sensation of aesthetic character as opposed to concrete sensation
  4. An abstract intuition that carries a symbolic intuition as opposed to fantastic intuition.

We thus see that, for Jung, the quality of the abstract is not limited to thought . It also encompasses sensations and emotions . Therefore, it is something more complex.

Relevance of the abstractive capacity with its examples

As can be seen, the concepts of abstraction coincide in two aspects: on the one hand, the exclusion of unnecessary data and, on the other, the process of generalization of concepts and the exploration of patterns. 

The removal of details to simplify and centralize attention involves the act of removing something and the process of discarding one or more properties of a complex object, in order to focus on the others.

For its part, the generalization process that serves to define the common nucleus which is supported by aspects such as those indicated below: The process of general enunciation of notions to abstract common properties of the instances,

  1. In the general notion formed by the extraction of common characteristics, following certain examples.

In sum, abstract thinking is fundamental to the operation of many essential questions of human life. Its usefulness and importance extends to many areas, which we describe in the next section of this post.

What is the use of so-called abstract thinking?

Many people wonder, and doubt, the usefulness of abstract thinking. Therefore, it is necessary to make it clear that its core importance. Many psychologists recommend that from childhood you learn , and get used to, to think in the abstract .

However, the error of full results is made. Many times, the process through which these results are reached is neglected. And we are talking about a process that often has overtones of abstraction.

In this case, we present below a list where the main aspects of abstract thought apply . Likewise, everything that can be obtained thanks to a correct handling of this type of thinking is detailed. Without further ado, we invite our readers to review the information that we present below.

Abstract thinking allows conclusions to be drawn and links observed

Unlike concrete thinking, which consists of observing what is in front of you and reflecting on it, abstract thinking is very useful to develop learning and creativity, because it is effective in finding links between various elements or situations.

This ability to discern hidden relationships between components is the foundation of scientific thought. From here, the formulation of hypotheses and the extraction of conclusions according to specific results arises. That is, thanks to this type of thinking, things can be deduced that at first glance are not at all obvious.

The mental abstraction is the germ of creativity . The exploration of new ideas and ties with immaterial nature enhances the creative capacity, regularly circumscribed by the material resources that are available. Keep in mind that creativity does not tend to repetition, but to create things that do not even exist in the tangible world.

Abstract thinking is the support of inductive reasoning . In addition, it provides important data for deductive thinking. For example, thanks to abstract thinking, a young architect synthesizes the basic ideas of his design. Likewise, it allows much more rational and deductive processes to have a more interesting methodological development.

Abstract thinking allows you to focus on components or factors that are not in sight

The development of abstract thinking allows elements that cannot be seen to be analyzed. For children the things that they cannot see or cannot hear or touch do not exist; only with the passing of the years, before adolescence , does abstract thinking acquire greater relevance.

Thanks to the capacity for abstraction , the human can reflect on something and even categorize and characterize it, without having sensory contact with it. That is, it allows some independence from the real world. It must be said that this is one of the essential characteristics of human beings.

The usefulness of abstract thinking makes everyday life easier . Road signs would be incomprehensible without developed abstract thinking. In addition, abstract thinking facilitates planning, planning of objectives and goals.

Abstract thinking leads to reflective self-absorption and metacognition

So necessary to reach the highest levels of consciousness and knowledge. The reflection on knowledge itself is of great minds, but can be grown in any sane mind. Abstraction becomes a mental process that leads to deep learning about a phenomenon or situation.

Abstract thinking facilitates self-knowledge . For example, the reasons for life’s failures can be unraveled by abstract thinking, so as not to repeat them.

Interestingly, abstract thinking allows us to have a notion of ourselves. Likewise, the key to self-esteem . To this is added that we cannot contemplate ourselves immersed in the world. Shows notion of presence in the world depends on our experience.

In this case, our self-knowledge is actually the result of a process of abstraction in our experience in the environment in which we operate.

  • Abstract thinking makes it easier to find different meanings for a problem

The discovery of the implicit implies a mental process that is not within the reach of concrete thought, it is essential that abstract thought be used.

Abstract thinking makes it possible to make hidden factors and phenomena visible , extract them and expose them. Putting the meanings of ambiguous phenomena on the table is the work of abstract thought. 

Regularly, they are known to the people by the findings that makes them abstract thinking , based on the context and previous experience in similar situations. That is, this type of thinking bridges the gap to so-called lateral thinking.

Abstract thinking leads to reflecting on abstract ideas

Thought has the ability to argue about phenomena that are not quantifiable, less verifiable . Non-specific ideas play a fundamental role in much of human life. If it were not for abstract thinking, it happens that Einstein could not have conceived the Theory of Relativity , but neither could it be understood by the rest of humanity. Furthermore, affections, hatreds, joys , etc., would be inconceivable without abstract thought.

Keep in mind that feelings are abstract . To a large extent, this is what Jung is referring to when he raises his ideas on the topic of abstraction.

Abstract thinking is a fundamental tool for shaping personal criteria

The systematization of abstract thinking in young people is associated with their intellectual maturity, because it strengthens the criteria for certain phenomena and situations or contexts.

Independence of thought is precisely linked to abstract thinking. In fact, the lack of this capacity is a fundamental limitation of cognitive processes. Learning in the humanities, social and factual sciences depends on its development in young people.

With everything indicated, we have reviewed the importance of abstraction . Therefore, it only remains to say that in the field of psychology there are still speculations about it.

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Alexa Clark specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She has experience in listening and welcoming in Individual Therapy and Couples Therapy. It meets demands such as generalized anxiety, professional, love and family conflicts, stress, depression, sexual dysfunction, grief, and adolescents from 15 years of age. Over the years, She felt the need to conduct the psychotherapy sessions with subtlety since She understands that the psychologist acts as a facilitator of self-understanding and self-acceptance, valuing each person's respect, uniqueness, and acceptance.

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