Visual Thinking Book Summary - Visual Thinking Book explained in key points
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Visual Thinking summary

Temple Grandin

The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions

4 (76 ratings)
20 mins

Brief summary

Visual Thinking by Temple Grandin is a book that dives into the power of visual thinking and how it can be harnessed to enhance creativity, problem-solving, and communication skills.

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    Visual Thinking
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    What is visual thinking?

    Growing up, Temple Grandin believed that everyone thought like her – in pictures. It wasn’t until she was much older that she realized many people think in words. They were verbal thinkers, while she was a visual thinker

    Later still, through the work of researchers like Maria Kozhevnikov, she found out that there are two kinds of visual thinkers: object visualizers, who think in pictures, and spatial visualizers, who see patterns and abstractions. Grandin is an object visualizer – as are many artists, graphic designers, architects, inventors, and mechanical engineers. Conversely, many statisticians, scientists, engineers, and physicists are spatial visualizers.

    Visual thinking is a unique cognitive style that involves creating mental images and associations. It allows individuals to quickly make connections – like having an internal GPS for navigating their surroundings.

    As a person’s visual database grows with age and experience, they become even better problem-solvers. They can make more connections and see solutions more clearly, benefiting from their rich reservoir of visual data.

    Research indicates that the brain's visual and verbal systems develop differently as children grow. And people’s thinking exists on a spectrum; individuals may have a mix of visual and verbal tendencies. This balance varies from person to person and can manifest in different strengths and weaknesses.

    But one thing is certain: visual thinking is a valuable asset, particularly in creative and problem-solving fields. Object visualizers excel in practical tasks, while spatial visualizers thrive in abstract thinking. The merging of these skills, and combining them with verbal thinking, is crucial for innovation.

    So then why is it that society often prioritizes verbal thinking? In the following sections, we’ll find out.

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    What is Visual Thinking about?

    Visual Thinking (2022) offers an authoritative view on different ways of thinking, and how those differences have been crucial to many of our biggest creative advancements. It shows how society tends to be biased toward verbal thinkers – and how visual thinkers, albeit typically underserved in society, bring an array of crucial skills to various domains.

    Who should read Visual Thinking?

    • Anyone curious about autism
    • Artists and creative minds
    • People interested in team-building

    About the Author

    Temple Grandin is an activist, professor, and animal behavior expert. Her work in improving animal welfare and her unique perspective on autism have made her an influential figure in both fields. Her previous books include The Way I See It and Thinking in Pictures.

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