Understanding the Diverse Ways We Experience Thoughts
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Chapter 1: The Nature of Thought
Thoughts are not just about what we think; they encompass the very ways we experience those thoughts.
As a child, I was intrigued by the nature of thoughts, often pondering whether my dad perceived the same shade of green in the grass as I did. His response—that we could never truly know—profoundly shifted my perspective about the world and how others experience it. This curiosity about the nature of thought has stayed with me, leading me to wonder about the internal experiences of others, not just the content of their thoughts but the forms those thoughts take.
Recently, I came across an article by Kate Douglas, a feature editor at New Scientist, who shares this curiosity. She engaged with scientists studying the mind to uncover the significant progress made in understanding the various ways people think. The findings suggest that our inner experiences are as diverse as our outward appearances—and that’s a wonderful realization.
Section 1.1: A Brief History of Thought Exploration
The exploration of thought has long been associated with philosophical inquiry, tracing back to Aristotle, who laid the groundwork for modern psychology. Interest in the mechanics of thought gained momentum among psychologists about a century ago. However, as noted by psychologist Charles Fernyhough from Durham University, behaviorists dismissed this line of inquiry, claiming that the subjective nature of experience could not be scientifically examined.
The turning point came in 1973 when Russell Hurlburt initiated a groundbreaking study. Participants carried beepers that randomly alerted them throughout the day, prompting them to jot down their internal experiences at that moment. Subsequently, they engaged in interviews with researchers to delve deeper into the nature of their thoughts.
Hurlburt, now at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, has employed this method—known as descriptive experience sampling (DES)—for decades, involving thousands of participants. His research indicates that on-demand introspection is often unreliable, with initial data commonly discarded. However, he notes that after several days, a clear picture of an individual's inner experiences emerges.
Despite these insights, defining "thought" remains complex. Most people operate under the assumption that thoughts are universally experienced, but this is far from the truth.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Five Forms of Thought
Over the years, Hurlburt's DES method has revealed that thoughts manifest in various combinations of five primary forms:
- Inner Speech: Often referred to as an internal dialogue.
- Inner Seeing: The capacity to visualize images in one's mind.
- Feelings or Emotions: The emotional states that convey our internal conditions.
- Sensory Awareness: The degree of sensitivity to bodily sensations, such as the feeling of clothing against the skin.
- Unsymbolized Thinking: Abstract thoughts that lack explicit symbols, words, or imagery.
Research shows that individuals utilize unique blends of these thought forms.
Section 1.2: The Complexity of Thoughts
Human beings are inherently intricate, and our thoughts reflect that complexity. A single thought can encompass multiple images or a mix of visuals and unrelated inner dialogue. Hurlburt explains:
"Many people have multiple things going on [in their mind] at the same time, and those multiple things can be unbelievably complex." He elaborates that experiences often unfold on several simultaneous tracks.
Inner speech, while seemingly straightforward, can vary widely. It may include one voice or many, manifesting as dialogues, monologues, debates, or conversations. This inner voice can adopt different accents, use slang, or fluctuate between being emotional and neutral. As Fernyhough points out, "Inner speech is a kind of language, and language is incredibly versatile."
The intricacy extends to inner seeing. Approximately 4% of individuals lack an inner visual experience, a condition known as Aphantasia. For those who can visualize, the clarity of their mental images ranges significantly. Some report vivid, lifelike images, while others experience more muted visions.
Personally, I find it challenging to conjure vivid imagery. My clearest visualizations are static and often hazy unless they are drawn from real-life experiences or creative writing—curiously, not during reading.
Chapter 2: Synaesthesia and Thought Diversity
The first video titled "Neuroscientist Explains One Concept in 5 Levels of Difficulty" breaks down complex ideas in an accessible manner, illustrating how diverse thinking can be and showcasing the various levels of understanding we can achieve.
The second video, "The Science of Thinking," dives deeper into cognitive processes, providing insights into how our thoughts are formed and experienced.
Synaesthesia represents just one fascinating aspect of thought diversity. This phenomenon occurs when individuals blend sensory experiences, such as perceiving sounds as colors. Researchers estimate there are over 300 types of synaesthesia, including instances where people visualize words as subtitles during conversations.
Some scientists suggest that everyone may be born with some form of synaesthesia, which typically emerges in early childhood and diminishes by age ten. However, around 2% to 4.4% of the population retains these abilities into adulthood, often with multiple types.
Thoughts are not only diverse but also deeply personal. As we continue to learn about our internal experiences, it becomes evident that our perception of the world varies significantly from one individual to another. Fiona Macpherson from the University of Glasgow stated:
"Until very recently, both philosophers and scientists have assumed that everybody thinks just like them. We now know there's a lot that is very different."
Our sensory perceptions also differ widely, highlighting the uniqueness of our internal experiences. The Perception Census, developed by Macpherson and colleagues, aims to map this neural diversity, offering interactive tests on various sensory modalities.
The results of this initiative will shed light on how we perceive the world and ourselves, revealing the rich tapestry of human experience.
Perspective Shift
The exploration of thoughts and internal experiences is perhaps one of the most thrilling areas of discovery today. For too long, our focus has leaned heavily on understanding the external world, while our subjective experiences have remained largely unexplored. However, this trend is changing thanks to advancements in technology.
It is fascinating to consider that while human beings exhibit vast diversity in appearance, we have often assumed similar internal experiences. Our diversity is our strength and a crucial aspect of our survival, so recognizing that our inner worlds may be even more varied than our external ones is truly exciting.
While I may never know if you perceive the same shade of green as I do, the journey of understanding how others think and perceive their thoughts continues to be enlightening. This understanding not only fosters empathy toward others but also enriches our self-awareness.
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