Visual Thinking

“We come into the world without words.” -Temple Grandin

Recently, I was interviewed by Jarrett Fuller for the Scratching the Surface podcast. At the end, he asked me about the books I had read recently. One of the books I mentioned was "Visual Thinking" by Temple Grandin. Not only did the book change my life, but it was also the first time I felt seen. The book's premise is that "understanding that people think in different ways is understanding that different ways of thinking exist." This may sound obvious, and like me, you may have heard the term Visual Thinking and thought of it metaphorically or got it confused with learning or something else.

For centuries, we have assumed that language serves as the cornerstone of our communication and lays the groundwork for our thought processes. We have been indoctrinated with the prominent notion that language/words shape our way of communicating and thinking, which "separates us from animals." I can't help but think that this train of thought has gotten us to where we are today. It was easy for me to see that there are different forms of communication, but I was blind to the reality that some of us have entirely different ways of how the brain "processes information, how we think, and how we perceive."

Grandin saw that many people think like her in pictures, not words, highlighting the unique cognitive style of visual thinking. Visual thinkers, like Grandin, make quick visual connections and navigate their surroundings with an internal GPS.

With age, people's visual database expands, enhancing problem-solving abilities with a rich visual reservoir. Research indicates that children's visual and verbal systems develop differently, creating a unique spectrum of thinking styles. Many individuals may have a mix of visual and verbal tendencies, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. There are some, like myself, who are on the extreme visual spectrum though.

Grandin asserts that there are mainly two kinds of Visual Thinkers though; photo-realistic “object visualizers” like Grandin, characterized by an intuitive aptitude for design and problem-solving. The other group comprises abstract, mathematically inclined "visual-spatial" thinkers who excel in pattern recognition and systemic thinking.

I always knew I was atypical and saw the world differently than my peers. I remember being in grade school and saying to my teacher, "I don't think that way." I am constantly learning how to adapt to how the world operates, which isn't entirely a bad thing, but it would have been good to know that I have a different operating system.

I am writing this because I assume that many people reading this may be visual thinkers or have friends/kids who are (visual artists, enjoy jigsaw puzzles, or enjoys taking things apart). I also assume that visual thinkers are likely to also be introverts and are sometimes linked to autism. I cannot recommend "Visual Thinking" by Grandin enough to anyone who finds this interesting, as it is essential to moving forward.

Notes:

My interview with Jarrett Fuller on Scratching the Surface

Visual Learning and thinking are not the same. Also question articles you read online about this, many have been debunked.

The book “Quiet - The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking” by Susan Cain is a fascinating and essential read to my fellow introverts.

Today is the first day of Herb, Season 7!