Examples of low-context thinking

General

Low-context thinking

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)

Casus

A woman thinks her husband will like it if she unexpectedly passes by his work with the children.

She does not take into account that the children (with autism) have to sit in the car for an hour during rush hour and arrive completely overstimulated.

The result: children and mother overstimulated, husband has to stop work to save the situation. The intention was good, the effect was not.

Casus

You raise your voice to get attention or to push your point through.

You do not realize that this is unpleasant for the other person and that you are missing important information.

In the long run, this leads either to shouting matches or to avoiding conversations altogether.

Casus

Interrupting a conversation to share your own idea immediately. This ignores the sensitivities of the other person and can cause irritation or disengagement.

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.

Casus

A low-contextual person gives criticism. Later, the other person does something unexpected (e.g. not emptying the dishwasher). The first thinks: "that is a reaction to my criticism." No account is taken of context such as forgetfulness or being distracted.

Casus

A partner accuses you of infidelity because he/she reasons transactionally: "you do something → that means X, because that’s how it works for me."

Casus

A woman lets the air out of her husband’s bicycle tires so that he has to take the car. This way he takes their son with him, and she does not have to bring him to school.