Analytical Thinking - Characteristics, Qualities and Elements

Also called the "default thinking", since human beings use analysis for most of the situations that arise during their lives, being reasonable, inquiring, questionable and investigative, having all these qualities, makes it perfect for problem solving.

But, what exactly is analytical thinking? Observing in detail the meanings of both words, it can be said that these are the ability of the human being to use his questioning, in order to create a centered idea regarding a problem , investigating separately all the characteristics that it has, in order to determine the exact failure that causes it.

Characteristics of analytical thinking

This type of thinking has qualities such as breaking down any problem to find the solution, recognizing what effects making a decision may have, if it brings consequences or will bring some improvement, it relates all the information they provide, even if it is of low complexity .

Basically he separates the problems into minor variants, which he relates with logic, to recognize the links that some more complex causes may have, he is able to anticipate an obstacle that may intervene with the process, and he distributes and plans the activities to have a better time management.

In order to later gather and compile all the relevant information, he applies several techniques, to question his effectiveness in the situation or situations, since he is also capable of facing several problems at the same time, giving effective solutions for each of them.

  • In convergent thinking: Oriented to immediate action, it does not show high interest in the problem statements, rather it seeks viable solutions for it by investigating the factors presented.
  • This is very linear: It refers to the fact that no step of the process is skipped, since it is guided by a planned structure, being much more organized and sequential.
  • It is analytical: he investigates all the small questions that represent a conflict in general, in order to find the most effective solution to such an issue, wanting to explain the reason for each small detail, and being more interested in the elements than in the relationships.

Qualities of analytical thinking

It has very positive qualities, of which the following can be named:

  • It is characterized by seeking only truthful and reliable information.
  • Use questioning, which gives a more concrete result, by not ending with any doubts regarding the subject.
  • It brings out the knowledge of the one who applies it, offering a good management of conceptual, logical and precise analysis as well as knowledge.
  • Build new arguments, which are decisive when analyzing.
  • If there are arguments raised, it is capable of reconstructing them.

Elements of analytical thinking

There is a sequential structure that must be taken into account when using this method, which will provide a good result to the questioning that is being carried out.

It would only be left to imagine a problem, and then analyze it, inquire about it, and thus achieve the perfect solution.

If you have a job, which does not generate enough income for the expenses that you may have in the month, you would be forming a problem that, using analytical analysis, can be solved as follows:

What is the purpose of the problem?

Expenses are generated above 300 USD per month, and the current salary has a maximum ceiling of 250 USD, which generates debts caused by borrowing, or compulsory and unnecessary expenses.

Analytical questioning?

What can be done to avoid generating more expenses than income in a month? What are the items that produce the highest expenses? Would it be better to start a search for a new job? If my co-workers generate the same income as me, how does that amount last a whole month for them?

Collect data no matter how small

In the corner store they are requesting staff, the closer the work is, the less expenses the use of transport generates, the eastern market has cheaper products than the western market, most of the debts obtained are with banks . And like these examples more information can be gathered.

Interpretation of the problem or use alternative points of view

If I didn't generate so many expenses, I didn't have so many debts, if I worked harder, I might get a raise at the same job. If you only spent on food for the home, which is cheaper than what they sell on the street, you would spend less money.

It is investigated and it is assumed

I will investigate how much they pay monthly in the store where they are offering the job, I will ask several acquaintances what benefits their employers provide them, I will inform myself about my rights as an employee.

Consequences or implications that it can bring

If I go looking for another job, I may lose the one I already have, it is possible that at the time of resigning, they already held the position in the other store, they promised that they could be charged 400 USD but only with sales commissions.

Once the problem is known, investigated about all the possibilities, and consequences that it may bring to look for another option, it is possible to proceed to look for the best solution for it, which is left to each person.

Analytical thinking, as we have seen previously, looks for problems that may arise from different angles and points of view, detailing each small part, collecting each piece of information, even if it does not seem to affect the situation, concentrating on fully solving the conflict, and not in getting involved in the problem.

It has the use of reason and reflection, since it seeks what to do in a situation or in what to believe when receiving news, it is the most used thought by human beings, and it can be used before almost any case such as the loss of the remote control at home, such as the breakdown of an electronic device, poor academic performance, can be applied to any inconvenience that occurs on any day, no matter how small.


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  1.   Jhonel Alfonso Jihuaña Herrera said

    Excellent post, I am pleased to be able to enrich myself with your posts.