concrete thinking, 1. a stage in the development of the cognitive thought processes in the child. During this phase thought becomes increasingly logical and coherent so that the child is able to classify, sort, order, and organize facts while still being incapable of generalizing or dealing in abstractions. Problem solving is accomplished in a concrete, systematic fashion based on what is perceived, keeping to the literal meaning of words, as in applying the word horse to a particular animal and not to horses in general. In Piaget’s classification this stage occurs between 7 and 11 years of age, is preceded by syncretic thinking, and is followed by abstract thinking. Compare abstract thinking, syncretic thinking. 2. the inability to abstract, to discern innuendo or hidden meaning, or to understand humor or concepts. This type of thinking is seen, for example, in some cases of schizophrenia, fetal alcohol syndrome, Asperger’s syndrome, or brain injury. It is also seen in states of high anxiety.
