Examples of low-context thinking
General
Low-complexity thinking ≠ dumb.
There are a lot of people who think in a low-complexity way and are still successful in life. Well-known examples include Donald Trump, Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk. They are strong in first-degree thinking and can therefore make quick conclusions.
That has advantages (purposefulness, persuasiveness, simplicity), but often also a downside in the long term or for the environment.
Positive consequences
- working in a very goal-oriented way
- less inhibited by social sensitivities
- phenomenal memory, which can be persuasive with, for example, a board of directors
- one-dimensional, concrete thinking that is easy for everyone to follow
- less uncertainty, because context or interpretation by others is not taken into account
Professions
Some domains or professions are interesting for low-complexity thinkers:
- business leaders – results-oriented, little consideration for others
- artists – original own ideas, goal-oriented
- lawyers – hunting for details, insensitive to the opponent's feelings
- teachers – black-and-white world, in the classroom it is permitted for them to “always” be right
- inventors – original, goal-oriented, little consideration for others
- politicians – goal-oriented, large ego permitted, often think one-dimensionally
- priests and preachers – black-and-white truth (Bible), blindly valued even with mistakes, large projects possible
- (solo) competition athletes – goal-oriented, less aware of body signals
- radiologists – detail-oriented, but less need for human contact
Egocentric thinking
See egocentric thinking. In short: ≠ selfishness, but can lead to it. Characteristics:
- difficulty with long-term consequences of actions
- difficulty with the sensitivities of others
- starting point = own conclusions (first-degree thinking)
Ze houdt er geen rekening mee dat de kinderen (met autisme) een uur in de spits in de auto moeten zitten en volledig overprikkeld aankomen.
Het resultaat: kinderen en moeder overprikkeld, man moet werk stoppen om situatie te redden. De intentie was goed, het effect niet.
Je beseft niet dat dit onaangenaam is voor de ander en dat je belangrijke informatie mist.
Op lange termijn leidt dit tot schreeuwgesprekken of tot vermijden van gesprekken.
Transactional behavior
See transactional behavior. With low-complexity thinking, you often see transactional behavior: "I do X, so that you do Y". The nuance or underlying reciprocity disappears in favor of direct exchange.