A thinking that is removed from the facts of the “here and now,” is characterized by the ability to use facts to develop generalizations. Often it is tested by asking patients to interpret proverbs.
The ability to calculate, sort, categorize, conceptualize, draw conclusions, or interpret and condense complex ideas. In clinical medicine, abstract thinking is assessed by asking patients to interpret proverbs. Patients with dementia or other cognitive deficits may fail to do so, as they fail to see the relationships between similar objects and ideas.