Thinking Taxonomy

Advanced Studies

Thinking Skill

Definition

Flexible Thinking

Flexible thinking is the ability to Adapting

adjust to changes in routine,
expectation,
and
thought.
Flexible thinking necessitates
shifts in thinking from one topic
to another and being able to see a
topic or the content from a new
perspective.
Strategic thinking involves the Planning
formation of strategies, the
planning & execution of tactics,
monitoring of changes, and the
setting & attainment of goals.
Strategic thinking often has
elements of intent, vision, and
consideration of alternatives.
Analytical thinking is the Examining
process of examining and
evaluating evidence or data,
seeking the importance of
information or self, and asking
why?
Analytical thinking
often
incorporates
the
investigation of clues in order to
make a decision.

Strategic Thinking

Analytical Thinking

Creative Thinking

Creative thinking is the process of

considering multiple possibilities.
Creative thinking leads to new
insights, innovations, approaches,
and perspectives. Brainstorming
and intellectual play are methods of
creative thinking.

Synonym

Innovating

Sub-skills
Adapting means to adjust to
new
or
changing
circumstances, to modify in
order to fit new conditions, to
alter by using skill and
judgment, and to shift to fit
emerging scenarios.
Planning
means
to
use
forecasting,
forethought,
prediction, and skill to execute
and implement a strategy.

Examining
means
to
investigate
available
and
hidden data, to interpret the
meaning(s) of uncovered clues
or information, to question the
importance of connections, and
to inquire as to the relationship
between
separate
and
overlapping parts.
Innovating means to imagine
and create new and unusual
ideas, methods, and devices. It
means to use brainstorming
and play in order to invent and
construct original works.

2003 Tamara J. Fisher

Thinking Taxonomy

Advanced Studies

Thinking Skill

Definition

Logical Thinking

Logical
thinking
is
the Problem solving
intellectual system of reasoning,
use of logic, and problem
solving.
Logical thinking
requires an examination of the
nature of fallacies, the principles
of good reasoning, and the
analysis of complex arguments.
Analogical thinking is the use of Comparing
the known to understand and
define the unknown. It involves
the transfer of an idea from one
context to a new one and the
joining of two apparently
unrelated elements. Metaphor
and simile are two elements of
analogy.
Critical thinking is the evaluative Evaluating
process of judging, reasoning,
reflecting,
deciding,
and
analyzing.
Critical thinking
involves
making
informed
decisions and interpretations.
Characteristics
of
critical
thinkers
are
those
of
inquisitiveness,
confidence,
judiciousness,
self-regulation,
reasoned
thinking,
openmindedness, truth-seeking, and
the willingness to take positive
risks.

Analogical Thinking

Critical Thinking

Synonym

Sub-skills
Problem solving means to use
reasoning and logic to deduce
and conclude.

Comparing means to define

two or more things by
grouping their similarities and
contrasting their differences.
This
process
is
often
transferred into other forms,
such as metaphor and simile.
Evaluating means to judge the
value
or
importance
of
something by reflecting upon
its qualities, interpreting its
meaning,
analyzing
its
possibilities, explaining the
outcome, and determining the
decision.

2003 Tamara J. Fisher