THINKING STYLES

There are primarily two thinking styles: Auditory-Sequential and Visual-Spatial. This does not distinguish levels of intelligence, it is simply a preference for learning and thinking that is innate to each individual. The Gifted Development Center estimate that in a school setting, one-third are auditory-sequential, one-third are visual-spatial, and one-third are a mixture of both.

Auditory-Sequential Learners are Word Thinkers, they think mainly in words. Word thinking is linear and follows a language structure. They listen and understand what they hear. They learn step-by-step — in sequence from simple to complex. They are often model students.

Visual-Spatial Learners are Picture Thinkers, they think mainly in pictures and/or with feelings, instead of words. They think in 3-dimensional, multisensory imagery that evolve into many different pictures of information / concepts. Picture thinkers can visualize objects from different perspectives. This thought process is subliminal and most dyslexics are not aware they are doing this.

Visual-spatial learners know things without being able to explain how or why. They solve problems in unusual ways. They remember what they see and forget what they hear. They can feel what others are feeling. They feel smarter as they get older.

Dyslexics are Picture Thinkers. They process information more globally — they look at the big picture to understand the world around them. This is why they are better at multi-dimensional thinking than linear, sequential approaches.

Click here, to compare characteristics of the Visual-Spatial and Auditory-Sequential Learners.

One-third of the school population are visual-spatial learners. Of those, half or more may experience reading and writing problems. Nothing is wrong with them, conventional school methods are not taught in the way they think.

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
Albert Einstein