Intuitive and Non-Intuitive Thinking Intuition is a feeling (a sense) that doesn’t use rational processes such as facts and data. Good intuition comes from years of knowledge and experience that allows you to understand how people and the world works. Many situations are intuitive. Some aren’t.Non-intuitive things are some of the best opportunities to learn and grow. Book knowledge is important. However, with first hand experience you learn those areas that aren’t intuitive. Another term that is commonly used for non-intuitive thinking is learning the ropes. Mentors, coaches and teachers work closely with their students to help them learn the non-intuitive (and counter intuitive) knowledge of a subject.When working on a task it makes sense to look for the obvious solution first. If the solution doesn’t present itself, look for the not-obvious one. And, when attempting to answer a question look for the obvious answer first, then look for the not-obvious one.Keep in mind, so called common knowledge may not be correct. Critical thinking works best when you continually ask yourself: Does this make sense? If so, why? If not, why not?Keeping an open mind to new data and options is another element of sound critical thinking. The critical thinker tests new experiences and knowledge against past experiences and knowledge. If the new experience or information is consistent with what is known, he keeps his view. If not, he strives to learn why there is an inconsistency. Once resolved, he either keeps, or alters his frame of reference to account for the new information. A frame of reference includes experience, education, upbringing, culture and a myriad of other factors that contribute to how someone views the world.Here is an example of intuitive vs. non-intuitive thinking. At the end of the example ask yourself: Will this information give me a new perspective? Or, will my frame of reference remain unchanged?Buy high and sell higher?A common statement everyone has heard is: Buy low and sell high. This seems straight forward; however there is another way of looking at this that is counter intuitive.William ONeil, who started a successful financial paper known as Investors Business Daily, says that a more effective way to make money in stocks is to buy high, and sell higher.The fundamentals of a company’s stock are important. They include things like how financially strong the company is, whether the company’s sales and earnings are increasing, whether it is well managed and so forth.According to William ONeil, the technical aspect found by studying charts of a stock is equally important. They include price swings, volume, ownership by management and more. These charts reflect the emotions of investors such as greed, fear, hope and despair. Knowing these emotions helps explain dramatic increases or drops in a stock price even when the company seems to have strong fundamentals.ONeil felt stock prices are governed in a large part by these emotions. This needs to be taken into account to be a successful investor in the stock market. In other words, stocks that are doing well continue to do well. Falling stocks tend to keep falling. Here is the stream of logic he followed:Many investors (who bought a stock at a high price) will hold on to it when it has a significant (sometimes dramatic) price drop. The emotion to “not be wrong” (and sell for a loss) is strong.A stock may decrease significantly even when the company fundamentals seem to be excellent. Stock swings are frequently indicators that the fundamentals may change in the next several months.Many stocks that have a severe correction eventually move back up in price-slowly. A high percentage of people sell these stocks when they regain the original price they paid for them. They are happy to get what they put into the stock originally. And, they fear the stock will decrease again.When this stock reaches a new high, most investors (who were happy to get their money out) no longer own the stock. Then there is minimal downward price pressure. According to William ONeil, it might be a good time to buy the stock if it has good fundamentals, fits certain technical patterns and the market is bullish. The stock will frequently move higher quickly. 4 ONeil has become a successful and well known investor using this philosophy.Convincing reasoning?Does this reasoning make sense to you? If so, why? If not, why not? What kind of information would you need to question conventional wisdom?For a concept like this (assuming you haven’t heard about it before) to make sense, you would need to do some significant research before changing your mind.Money is tough to make and easy to lose if one isn’t careful. Changing one’s beliefs on investing shouldn’t be done without doing considerable research.If a person has held a belief for a long time, a single argument probably won’t change his or her belief immediately. This is especially true for any belief that an individual feels strongly about.This is normal. However, if a new idea or concept sparks a serious question in your mind about what you believe in, then that spark can encourage you to do your own research and learn more. Different reasoning may even change your point of view. This occurs if you find convincing information to back up the new information you have learned.Other times, you may investigate a subject and are unable to find enough information that convinces you to change your belief. If this happens you will hold to your original belief.Either way, you haven’t taken things at face value. This is a strong trait of the critical thinker. This philosophy helps increase your knowledge base.Discovery of non-intuitive thingsThere are three ways of discovering non-intuitive things. They are:a. Gaining more experience. Experience is a great teacher. The greater your experience, the easier it is to see the similarity between new ideas and what you learned in the past. Experience teaches you what kind of projects, objectives or problems are straight forward. It also teaches which ones may have non-intuitive (or counter intuitive) issues to address. In other words, experience hones your instincts and intuition.b. Experimentation. This can help you uncover inconsistencies. Tinkering is a great way to discover something that isn’t consistent with what you thought.c. Learning through reading, studying, teachers, mentors, and coaches. The more you build your base of knowledge, the more you learn about the nuances, differences and subtleties of a wide array of mysteries.Can your critical thinking skills be improved?The simple answer is yes. We are all different in a myriad of ways. Age, gender, IQ, genes, culture, beliefs, life experiences and education are just a few of the factors that make each of us unique.One of our significant differences is that we all learn at different rates and in different ways. These in themselves aren’t important. What is important is the desire and willingness to learn and stretch past your comfort zone.It can be scary to climb out of one’s box (comfort zone) and view the world with new eyes and ears. However, it can sure be exciting!This stretching will expand your knowledge base and strengthen your critical thinking skills. The story about the tortoise and the hare is a true to life analogy for developing critical thinking skills. In the long run, persistence and determination will usually win out over raw intelligence that is without direction or desire.There is nothing more uncommon than common sense! ~ Frank Lloyd WrightCopyright © 2008, Chuck Clayton, All Rights Reserved