How do you think? In pictures?

Question

How do you think specifically? Do you think in words or pictures?

If you think in pictures are you autistic? Can you think in words as well and if you can have you always been able to or did you have to learn their meaning with pictures first?

Can you control 3d images in your mind?

Answer 1

To the best of my understanding and recollection, children pick up language and words long before they are able to use it. I believe the baby who may not yet have the words to think will just take in the image from outside and just not have the words with which to "talk to himself" about what he sees. Of course, I don't remember being an infant, myself, but I have vague memories of being very, very, young.

I think in words and have always thought in words. Although I can sometimes "see" some sentences, usually the words are things that kind of "pop into my ears", at which time I repeat what I have "heard".

As you may know, people process information and take in information differently. I am obviously an auditory-type processor. There are, however, people who "specialize" in visual perception. My kids' father inevitably starts with the diagrams when he is trying to explain anything, and I want to explode because I get "frazzled" looking at diagrams. My point is I can only tell you what its like to be a "verbal" person or an "auditory
person".

My kids' father was originally an electrical engineer. I once asked him if thought in words, and he said he doesn't. My abilities are more in the verbal/human understanding area, and I think in words. I have read that 60% of the population processes information visually, that 20% processes it through auditory means, and another 20% processes information through feelings. I'm sorry I don't remember the book I read it in, but it was put together by some "legitimate" source. It may have been the American Psychological Association's book. I also read that by (if I recall correctly) asking a person a question and observing which way his eyes move you can tell how he processes information. I believe its something like an auditory processor may look toward the side (his ears), a visual person may look up to a corner (as if visualizing), and a feelings person may look down (toward the heart). Again, I'm not sure I'm recalling this exactly right, but you could look it up if you had interest.

I've always kind of assumed that a brain with "heavily feminine influence" (in terms of, say, hormones during development) may process through auditory means because of the needs of women to keep their ears peeled for children and to be able to do a number of things while also keeping tuned in with children. I've always assumed a "heavily male influence" (the combination of hormones during development) brain may process information visually because of the role the visual process plays in mating and reproduction. My kids' father joked that he had wondered if he were mildly autistic, but upon looking more into it ruled it out. I, myself, have asked if I could be mildly autistic; but my social skills and interaction with people make that very unlikely. The person I mentioned who said he doesn't think in words said he wouldn't think in words as well as images. For me, while I can force an image to show up if I want it to, usually those images are far more faint than, say, the occasional image I have that is the "picture" of a sentence in words and in white "type" that may "fly by".

If I want a 3D image I would have to consciously make the effort to turn a basic image into 3D; so, yes, I guess I can control that.

It occurs to me that if you have 3D images in your mind that could be a matter of your having very well developed spacial skills, often associated more with male brains than female brains.

While I am certainly not qualified to give you an answer that you should just believe, I am going to pose a spin-off question for you to consider and maybe research: People with "heavily male" brains (again, with the part of the brain responsible for the type of thinking that is generally associated with males being very well developed and with, perhaps, the part of the brain that governs thinking generally associated with female not at all well developed) don't tend to have very good verbal skills. They don't tend to be "naturals" when it comes to having interpersonal skills and relationships. Sometimes they can actually have problems relating to other people or understanding them.

If I recall correctly, I think I have heard that autistic people have highly sensitive ears. Because of that, I've always kind of assumed they are auditory processors (but I could be wrong about that).

Something else to remember while you're considering autism, there is also Asperger's Syndrome, which is a milder form of autism and which is often not even diagnosed.

I don't know if there's any use to you in my telling you my verbal leanings, but in case there is.... To give you an idea of how non-visual I am, I don't read comic strips because it takes too much work for me to first take in the information of what the picture is and then dissect it and try to turn each frame into words. Also, I tend not to remember faces or notice what people wear. Sometimes I think I ought to just wear a blindfold for all the information I don't get visually! There have been times I couldn't picture the color of the rug in a former house I lived in. I turn diagrams into words in order to be able to process them. My mind is like a dictionary or an encyclopedia without any pictures. All I have is the images of some "mental file folders" where I mentally store all my words!!! How unimaginative, aren't I !! :)

Obviously, I have no way to know if you have autism or Asperger's Syndrome; but there is the chance you just have a "heavily male" brain that sees in images and isn't too great with natural verbal ability (and I'm guessing maybe you aren't all that natural when it comes to people skills either). Because I don't think in images I cannot guess about whether you should be concerned if you have 3D images you cannot control. It would seem to me this could potentially be reason for concern; but that's coming from a person with nothing but file folders for images :). I do have to note, though, that for all my verbal tendencies, usually I have complete control of what files I open; although sometimes the "flying sentences" (which are on ribbons) show up out of nowhere. I've also noticed that under extreme stress and in anxiety (which I generally don't have, but I've had situations in the past) sentences start swirling around like a blizzard. Could any 3D images you may not control be the result of extreme stress or anxiety?

For me, those few times I've had swirling sentences (and they are 3D in their own way even though they're sentences), it has been as if there must be some "anxiety chemicals" that have caused my inability to keep the file folders shut.

I hope some of what I've said may be a jumping off point for you to follow up on if any of it gives you anything you haven't considered.

Answer 2

I think in pictures when pictures suit the thought best. Directions for example. I'd rather draw a map than write directions.

And my memory. I can remember what room I was standing in when someone said this or that. That is many times how I remember who said what & when. It also comes in handy when someone is claiming they didn't say anything. "You were sitting right in that chair & I was standing right in this spot when you said..."

But I also think in words many times. Socialogical questions & political questions, for example. I might have some mental images pop in my head while thinking about racism & segregation, but you can't actually think too deeply on such a subject with out words.

Mostly I use both. Words narrating pictures & pictures illustrating words.

There is much more to autism than just thinking in pictures. But Temple Grandin (famous & successful woman with autism) says "Words are like a second language to me. I translate both spoken and written words into full-color movies, complete with sound, which run like a VCR tape in my head. When somebody speaks to me, his words are instantly translated into pictures."

Answer 3

I like your question. I mostly think in words but sometimes moving pictures. Like movies in my mind. Sometimes there are words and sound but not always. I think most people think in words like I do. If you've ever learned a new language, especially by living in the foreign country you're learning it in, you will actually start to think in that new language instead of your native one.

Answer 4

I think better with pictures; I also think good with word too, though.

I don't know if I can control 3D images in mine mind.

Answer 5

i've got considered ones with --the marriage social gathering walking in--unsure how your bridesmaids, maid of honor, grooms adult men, etc would be attending to the front. --then the bride along with her father or who ever is giving her away. additionally the mothers being seated. --somewhat some ones of the ceremony...the mothers lights the harmony candle, the bride and groom looking lovingly into each others eyes, while you're having candle lighters, specific track, etc...of direction you may catch the ring substitute and the kiss then as quickly as you're provided as guy and spouse then walking down the aisle at the same time. (those could count on the guidelines the minister has...this may be something to income) --after with the marriage social gathering many times there are some with the bride and her women then the groom with the girls, the groom along with his adult men and the bride with the adult men...those could nicely be humorous or severe...the bride w/ her mothers and dads, grandparents and different family individuals then the groom with the brides family individuals and the groom along with his family individuals, etc. --the reception you will definately desire the cake and in case you have tremendously wine glasses. What i've got continuously concept became neat on the reception became merely havign disposible cameras and enable the human beings there take photographs, i might merely make an commentary for human beings to maintain them tasetful. One photograph I certainly have continuously enjoyed became the shot of the brides hand and the grooms hand as quickly as the ceremony is completed. I certainly have some photographs from my nieces weddings i can deliver you in case you could need to get some techniques. solid success and Congrats!

Answer 6

when i think, i think in words when its concerning a situtaion handling...if its of a persons feeling its words & once i hav stopped with words...slow ponder & watch the pictures speak the rest...& always ofcourse its 3d images as live...but so faded..

why u ask this Q??can u add on

Answer 7

i think in both words and pictures, at times some one has to draw me a picture before i get the idea

Answer 8

When I think, its words (or sound in my head, to be specific). When I fantasize, its graphic.

I dun control 3d images per se, but I can rotate my views.