There Are 5 Thinking Styles. Do You Know Yours?
by Carolyn Firestone
Back in the 1970s, a psychologist named Robert Bramson set out to research how people think. At the time, he told the Wall Street Journal, he was trying to figure out "why intelligent managers make terrible decisions."
Fast forward 50 years, and while we still suffer the bad calls of upper management, Bramson’s research has shined a pretty fascinating light on the different types of thinkers that make up our world.
According to Bramson, there are five thinking styles. Each colors how we approach and process all kinds of situations. And when it comes to our goals, our thinking style can have a heavy effect on our ability to achieve.
As with all human traits, each of the five styles of thinking comes with its own set of pros and cons. Curious which style thinker you are? Here’s how it breaks down.
1. The Synthesist
Synthesists are creative thinkers who welcome all kinds of perspectives and ideas but aren’t afraid to challenge others. They mix things up and see connections between things that aren’t so obvious to everyone.
Signs You Might Be a Synthesist:
You like to get in there and make changes.
You prefer creativity to logic.
You’re curious and love hearing different ideas. Although, you’re also not afraid to question said ideas.
You’re good at making connections between things that are surprising and unexpected. Think chocolate milk and sea salt.
You’re willing to challenge others and enter into debate. Some may dare call this “argumentative.”
You’re not one to easily give in or agree with the group.
Synthesist Setbacks:
You can come off as combative. You may need to work extra hard to make sure people know you’re hearing them out.
When pressed, you have a tendency to give others a hard time. Let’s face it, you probably know your way around a scathing insult.
You’re prone to set logic aside a little too often.
2. The Idealist
Idealists are big believers that big ideas can be achieved, and that they’re best achieved as a team. They’re known to hold themselves to a high (dare we say perfect) standard, work hard, and aim to please. Like any gold-standard goal-setter, they can struggle with setting their expectations too high.
Signs You Might Be an Idealist:
You are ever in search of a perfect (or ideal) resolution. You’ve probably had the word “perfectionist” thrown at you more than once.
You’re very willing to hear everyone out. Isn’t that where the best ideas come from?
You ask questions and actually listen to the answers.
You’re solution-oriented and carry big dreams and goals.
You aim to please everyone in your decisions, sometimes to a fault.
You have immense faith in the power of a well-rounded consensus.
You think in terms of ethics and values and make it a point to care about what the people around you care about.
You’re good at setting goals but have a tendency to overreach.
Idealist Setbacks:
You may set your standards too high (for yourself and those around you), so try to make room for other thinking types.
You tend to feel let down or get hurt easily. You know? That unfortunate side-effect of caring what other people think.
You’ve been known to lose track of concrete details when focused on an end goal.
3. The Pragmatist
Pragmatists are reasonable, logical, and hard-working. They get in there to get things done one by one. They’re all about quick results and checking items off a to-do list, but they can lose track of the bigger, dreamier goals in the process.
Signs You Might Be a Pragmatist:
You’re ready to get to work and make things happen.
You’re all about taking things step by step.
You use logic and creativity to get fast results.
You’re adaptable, always willing to adjust to make things work.
You shine when it comes to finding new ways of doing things without reinventing the wheel, e.g. you can transform a room without replacing the furniture.
You look for what works without getting into the why of it all.
You’re good with people. You’re not here to ruffle feathers.
Pragmatists Setbacks:
You’re not as likely to think big and can lose track of the long-term. What five-year plan?
Your approach can come off as a little all over the place, even though you’re constantly checking items off your to-do list.
You could stand to broaden your perspective and reach for more stars. Otherwise things can get a little stagnant.
4. The Analyst
Signs You Might Be an Analyst:
You have a scientific approach to finding the singular best solution.
You’re all about diving into details and data.
You take your time to take the right steps. You care about doing it right.
You’re gonna do the work and get the info you need before you make a final call.
People tend to describe you as “logical” or “practical.”
You’re not about the ego, You’re just out here looking for the right answer and the right way to get there.
Analyst Setbacks:
You can get too set in your ways
There’s such thing as being excessively careful, so don’t be afraid to take a risk once in a while.
Though you get along well with others, you can come off a little withdrawn. Who needs the drama of confrontation?
5. The Realist
Like analysts, realists love a good fact, and they rely on their own experiences to give them information about how to best operate. Realists like to take action and solve problems. They think in terms of solutions and what it takes to get where they need to go.
Signs You Might Be a Realist:
You are here for the facts.
The bottom line is never out of sight.
When it comes to making decisions, you want to hear from the experts.
You judge based on results. Because that’s what counts.
You rely on your own experience to make sense of things.
You’re good at motivating others and working toward solutions.
Realist Setbacks:
You can spend too much time trying to get others to get along or agree. Because surely all rational adults can see eye to eye, right?
You can get caught in the details, so beware of tunnel vision.
You tend to get agitated under stress. “Impatience” would be an honest response to an interviewer asking about your greatest weakness.
I Think I Know My Style. So, what next?
Whatever category of thinker you fall into, you don’t need to worry too much about being boxed in by your cognitive bents. Many people fall into more than one category of thinker, and everyone can expand the way they think.
By knowing your tendencies, you can gain insight into the places where it could serve you to grow and adjust.
For example, if you’re an idealist, you can remind yourself not to get carried away by the idea of “perfection” and to pay closer attention to the small details that will get you where you want to go.
If you’re a pragmatist, you can dare to dream a bit more and start setting goals that are more exciting than the next item on your to-do list.
Synthesists can work on peppering their creativity with a little logic… and, ahem, not being so confrontational.
Analysts can shake up their routine and take more risks.
Realists can let go of some of their excessively go-getter attitudes and try not to get too bogged down in the details.
In the end, there’s no such thing as a “perfect” thinker. But if you’re anything like me, a self-diagnosed idealist/synthesist, it’s kind of fun to keep reaching.
Carolyn is a freelance writer and editor. Her favorite thing to do is to write about her favorite things, especially when they have even the slightest chance of making someone else’s something (mood, relationship, travel plans, or toiletry kit) a little better. You can find more of her articles here.
