Think Like Sherlock: how to develop deductive thinking

Is it real

You should start with reassuring. The ability of Sherlock Holmes is real. In general, the legendary character was written off Conan Doyle with a living person - a professor at Edinburgh University Joseph Bell. He was well known for his skill on the little things to guess a person's character, his background and profession.

On the other hand, the existence of a real outstanding person does not guarantee the success of all those who will try to repeat his achievements. Master the skills, abilities comparable to Holmes, incredibly difficult. In another scenario, the police at Scotland Yard would not be running on Baker Street for clues, right?

What he does, really. But what does he do?

Aktorstvuet shows his arrogance, pride... and uncommon intelligence. All this is justified by the ease with which it reveals the crimes. But as he does?

The main weapon of Sherlock Holmes becomes the deductive method. Logic, backed by increased attention to detail and outstanding intelligence.

And to this day there are disputes, that uses Holmes deduction or induction. But most likely, the truth is somewhere in the middle. Sherlock Holmes collects his arguments, the experience, the keys to the most complicated cases, organizes them by gathering in a common database, which then successfully enjoy using and deduction and induction. He does it brilliantly.

Most of the critics and researchers are inclined to think that Conan Doyle had not made mistakes and Holmes does use the deductive method. For simplicity, we will continue to speak about it.

What are operating mind of Sherlock Holmes

deductive method

This is the main detective weapons, which, however, did not like to work without a number of additional components.

Attention

Sherlock Holmes picks up even the smallest details. If not for this skill, he simply would not have been material for reasoning, evidence and clues.

Knowledge base

The best thing said about it himself a detective:

All crimes show a large affinity. They (the agents of Scotland Yard) introduced me to the circumstances of a particular case. Knowing the details of thousands of cases, it would be strange not to unravel the thousand and first.

Sherlock Holmes

The palaces of the mind

This is his excellent memory. This store, which he addresses almost every time when looking for a new solution to the puzzle. This accumulated knowledge Holmes, circumstances and facts, many of whom do not get anywhere else.

Ongoing analysis

Sherlock Holmes analyzes refleksiruet, asks questions and answers them. he often resorted even to a double analysis, not in vain, because the detective constantly works together with his partner Dr. Watson.

How to learn

Pay attention to the little things

Bring ability to pay attention to detail to automatism. In the end, only the details are important. They - the material for your reasoning and conclusions, they - the clues and solve the problem. Learn to look. See so much to see.

Develop memory

The only way to learn how to analyze, display own statistics and form patterns. Only excellent memory save at a difficult time when other sources of information you will not. That memory will truly analyze all those little things that grab your attention when you will attack on the trail.

Learn to formulate

Make your guesses and conclusions, make a "dossier" at passers-by, write verbal portraits, Marshall slender and clear logical chain. So you not only gradually master the methods of Sherlock, but also make your mind more clear and precise.

Delve into the region

One could say "broadens the mind", but Holmes would not have approved the lengthy wording. Try to deepen their knowledge in a chosen field, avoid information debris and useless knowledge. Try to grow in depth rather than breadth, however absurd it may sound.

concentrate

Among other things, Holmes - the genius of concentration. He is able to isolate themselves from the outside world when business is busy and does not allow distractions to tear themselves from the important. It should not distract or chatter Mrs. Hudson, or an explosion in a neighboring house on Baker Street. Only a high level of concentration will allow you to clearly and logically think. This is a prerequisite of mastering the method of deduction.

Examine the body language

Source of information, which many people forget. Holmes never neglects them. It analyzes the movements of the person, the way he behaves and gesticulates, draws attention to the facial expressions and fine motor skills. Sometimes a person gives their hidden intentions or involuntary signals of their own lies. Use these tips.

Develop intuition

That intuition is often prompted the famous detective right decision. Hordes of charlatans badly tarnished the reputation of a sixth sense, but it does not mean that they should neglect. Get familiar with your intuition and learn to trust and develop it.

Take notes

And notes of all kinds. It makes sense to keep a diary and write there, that happened to you during the day. So you analyze everything you've learned and observed, to sum up and draw conclusions. The brain is actively working at the time of this analysis. You can keep field notes, which will be celebrating his observations of the world around them and the people around you. This will help to systematize the observations and conclusions laws. Someone is more appropriate blog or an electronic diary - all individually.

Ask questions

The more questions you ask, the better. Are critical to what is happening, look for reasons and explanations, sources of influence and impact. Build a logical chain and cause-effect relationships. The ability to ask questions gradually generate a skill to find the answers.

Solve challenges and puzzles

Anything from the ordinary tasks of school textbooks to complex puzzles of logic and lateral thinking. These exercises will force your brain to work, look for solutions and answers. Just what you need for the development of deductive reasoning.

invent puzzle

We have learned quickly to solve them? Try to make your own. The task itself is unusual in itself, so you have to is not easy. But the result is worth it.

Read. More. It's better

The value will be even more likely not what you read and how you do it. To develop deductive thinking, you need to analyze read and pay attention to detail. Compare information from different sources and draw parallels. Include this information in the context of your existing knowledge and add to their index card.

Listen more, talk less

Holmes could not be so easily unravel the case, if it were not listening to each client's word. Sometimes one word decides the matter hangs in the air or be untangled, the legendary detective interested them or not. Remember only a huge hound in "The Hound of the Baskervilles" and one word that changed the life of a girl in the second series of the fourth season of the BBC.

Love what you do

Only a strong interest and a great desire to help you reach the end. Just so you do not will roll out of the way of constant difficulties and seemingly unsolvable problems. If Holmes did not like his job, he would not have become a legend.

Practice

The most important point I priberog for the final. Practice - the key to the mastery of deductive reasoning. The key to the method of Holmes. Practice anytime, anywhere. Even if at first you do not believe in the loyalty of their judgments. Even if at first you are more you'll look like a Dr. Watson in their reasoning. Look at the people in the subway on the way to work them carefully to the surrounding railway stations and airports. Only driven to automatism skill will really work.

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Deductive reasoning may be useful anywhere, and the talents of the legendary detective at constant practice will remain with you for life. Holmes method is interesting in itself and gives amazing results. So why not try to learn it?