Conceptual vs. Abstract — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 9, 2024
Conceptual thinking involves understanding and applying ideas and principles in various contexts, related to specific fields or problems. Abstract thinking is broader, involving the ability to perceive patterns, relationships, and ideas beyond realities.
Difference Between Conceptual and Abstract
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Conceptual thinking is closely tied to specific concepts or frameworks within particular disciplines or areas of study, such as science, mathematics, or philosophy. It involves the ability to grasp and apply complex ideas, theories, and principles to understand and solve problems. Abstract thinking, on the other hand, is a more generalized form of thinking that transcends specific fields, enabling individuals to understand and make connections between ideas that are not grounded in physical reality.
Conceptual thinkers can break down complex ideas into simpler parts and see how these parts relate to each other and to the whole. For example, understanding the concept of biodiversity in ecology involves recognizing the roles and relationships of various species within ecosystems. Abstract thinkers are skilled at recognizing patterns, conceptualizing hypothetical scenarios, and thinking about ideas without the need for concrete examples or experiences. For instance, contemplating the nature of time or the concept of infinity involves abstract thinking, as these concepts cannot be directly observed or measured.
While conceptual thinking is often applied in problem-solving and the application of knowledge in specific contexts, abstract thinking allows for broader speculation, imagination, and the ability to consider possibilities beyond what is known or seen. Conceptual thinking might be used to develop a new scientific theory based on existing concepts, while abstract thinking might lead to questioning the very nature of science itself.
Both conceptual and abstract thinking are essential for innovation and creativity, but they operate at different levels. Conceptual thinking is more about connecting and applying ideas within a framework or system, whereas abstract thinking is about transcending those frameworks to consider more universal, overarching ideas and patterns.
In education and intellectual pursuits, conceptual thinking helps learners understand and apply what they learn in real-world situations, while abstract thinking encourages them to question, imagine, and explore ideas without the constraints of practical application. For instance, studying algebra involves conceptual thinking in understanding and applying mathematical principles, while pondering the concept of infinity in mathematics relies on abstract thinking.
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Comparison Chart
Focus
Specific concepts and frameworks within disciplines.
Generalized ideas beyond concrete realities.
Application
Understanding and solving problems in specific fields.
Broad speculation and imagining possibilities.
Thinking Process
Breaking down complex ideas into simpler parts and understanding relationships.
Recognizing patterns and conceptualizing ideas without concrete examples.
Utility
Applied in problem-solving and knowledge application.
Facilitates speculation, imagination, and questioning.
Examples
Understanding biodiversity in ecology, applying mathematical principles.
Contemplating the nature of time, conceptualizing infinity.
Compare with Definitions
Conceptual
Involving the organization of ideas and principles.
The conceptual framework of the study clarified its theoretical underpinnings.
Abstract
Relating to ideas or thoughts not connected to physical objects or reality.
Abstract thinking allows philosophers to ponder existential questions.
Conceptual
Relating to or based on mental concepts, applicable in specific contexts.
Conceptual understanding in physics allows for practical problem-solving.
Abstract
Involving generalization and the recognition of patterns.
Abstract reasoning tests assess the ability to understand complex concepts.
Conceptual
Used in describing ideas or theories in specific fields.
His conceptual approach to economics led to innovative models.
Abstract
Concerned with theoretical rather than practical aspects.
The discussion moved to abstract notions of justice and morality.
Conceptual
Involving the integration of concepts to form a whole idea.
The curriculum is designed to enhance students' conceptual skills.
Abstract
Characterized by the absence of concrete examples.
Abstract mathematics deals with numbers and symbols devoid of real-world context.
Conceptual
Pertaining to the development or application of concepts.
Conceptual art focuses on the idea behind the work rather than its aesthetic.
Abstract
Focused on overarching ideas and principles.
Her abstract approach to the problem revealed underlying patterns.
Conceptual
Relating to or based on mental concepts
Philosophy deals with conceptual difficulties
Abstract
Considered apart from concrete existence
An abstract concept.
Conceptual
Of or relating to concepts or mental conception
Conceptual discussions that antedated development of the new product.
Abstract
Not applied or practical; theoretical.
Conceptual
Of or relating to conceptualism.
Abstract
Difficult to understand; abstruse
Abstract philosophical problems.
Conceptual
Of, or relating to concepts or mental conception.
We defined a conceptual model before designing the real thing.
Abstract
Denoting something that is immaterial, conceptual, or nonspecific, as an idea or quality
Abstract words like truth and justice.
Conceptual
Of or relating to conceptualism.
Abstract
Impersonal, as in attitude or views.
Conceptual
Pertaining to conception.
Abstract
Having an intellectual and affective artistic content that depends solely on intrinsic form rather than on narrative content or pictorial representation
Abstract painting and sculpture.
Conceptual
Being or characterized by concepts or their formation;
Conceptual discussions
The schizophrenic loses ability to abstract or do conceptual thinking
Abstract
A statement summarizing the important points of a text.
Abstract
Something abstract.
Abstract
An abstract of title.
Abstract
To take away; remove
Abstract the most important data from a set of records.
Abstract
To remove without permission; steal
A painting that was abstracted from the museum.
Abstract
To consider (an idea, for example) as separate from particular examples or objects
Abstract a principle of arrangement from a series of items.
Abstract
(ăbstrăkt′) To write a summary of; summarize
Abstract a long article in a paragraph.
Abstract
To create artistic abstractions of (something else, such as a concrete object or another style)
"The Bauhaus Functionalists were ... busy unornamenting and abstracting modern architecture, painting and design" (John Barth).
Abstract
An abridgement or summary of a longer publication.
Abstract
Something that concentrates in itself the qualities of a larger item, or multiple items.
Abstract
Concentrated essence of a product.
Abstract
(medicine) A powdered solid extract of a medicinal substance mixed with lactose.
Abstract
An abstraction; an abstract term; that which is abstract.
Abstract
The theoretical way of looking at things; something that exists only in idealized form.
Abstract
(arts) An abstract work of art.
Abstract
(real estate) A summary title of the key points detailing a tract of land, for ownership; abstract of title.
Abstract
(obsolete) Derived; extracted.
Abstract
Drawn away; removed from; apart from; separate.
Abstract
Not concrete: conceptual, ideal.
Her new film is an abstract piece, combining elements of magic realism, flashbacks, and animation but with very little in terms of plot construction.
Abstract
Insufficiently factual.
Abstract
Apart from practice or reality; vague; theoretical; impersonal; not applied.
Abstract
(grammar) As a noun, denoting a concept or intangible as opposed to an object, place, or person.
Abstract
Difficult to understand; abstruse; hard to conceptualize.
The politician gave a somewhat abstract answer when asked about their plans to cut spending.
Abstract
Separately expressing a property or attribute of an object that is considered to be inherent to that object: attributive, ascriptive.
Abstract
Pertaining comprehensively to, or representing, a class or group of objects, as opposed to any specific object; considered apart from any application to a particular object: general, generic, nonspecific; representational.
Abstract
(archaic) Absent-minded.
Abstract
(arts) Pertaining to the formal aspect of art, such as the lines, colors, shapes, and the relationships among them.
Abstract
Free from representational qualities, in particular the non-representational styles of the 20th century.
Abstract
(music) Absolute.
Abstract
(dance) Lacking a story.
Abstract
Being a partial basis for subclasses rather than a complete template for objects.
Abstract
(transitive) To separate; to disengage.
Abstract
(transitive) To remove; to take away; withdraw.
Abstract
To steal; to take away; to remove without permission.
Abstract
(transitive) To summarize; to abridge; to epitomize.
Abstract
To conceptualize an ideal subgroup by means of the generalization of an attribute, as follows: by apprehending an attribute inherent to one individual, then separating that attribute and contemplating it by itself, then conceiving of that attribute as a general quality, then despecifying that conceived quality with respect to several or many individuals, and by then ideating a group composed of those individuals perceived to possess said quality.
Abstract
To extract by means of distillation.
Abstract
(transitive) To consider abstractly; to contemplate separately or by itself; to consider theoretically; to look at as a general quality.
Abstract
To withdraw oneself; to retire.
Abstract
(transitive) To draw off (interest or attention).
He was wholly abstracted by other objects.
Abstract
To perform the process of abstraction.
Abstract
To create abstractions.
Abstract
To produce an abstraction, usually by refactoring existing code. Generally used with "out".
He abstracted out the square root function.
Abstract
Withdraw; separate.
The more abstract . . . we are from the body.
Abstract
Considered apart from any application to a particular object; separated from matter; existing in the mind only; as, abstract truth, abstract numbers. Hence: ideal; abstruse; difficult.
Abstract
Expressing a particular property of an object viewed apart from the other properties which constitute it; - opposed to concrete; as, honesty is an abstract word.
A concrete name is a name which stands for a thing; an abstract name which stands for an attribute of a thing. A practice has grown up in more modern times, which, if not introduced by Locke, has gained currency from his example, of applying the expression "abstract name" to all names which are the result of abstraction and generalization, and consequently to all general names, instead of confining it to the names of attributes.
Abstract
Abstracted; absent in mind.
Abstract
To withdraw; to separate; to take away.
He was incapable of forming any opinion or resolution abstracted from his own prejudices.
Abstract
To draw off in respect to interest or attention; as, his was wholly abstracted by other objects.
The young stranger had been abstracted and silent.
Abstract
To separate, as ideas, by the operation of the mind; to consider by itself; to contemplate separately, as a quality or attribute.
Abstract
To epitomize; to abridge.
Abstract
To take secretly or dishonestly; to purloin; as, to abstract goods from a parcel, or money from a till.
Von Rosen had quietly abstracted the bearing-reins from the harness.
Abstract
To separate, as the more volatile or soluble parts of a substance, by distillation or other chemical processes. In this sense extract is now more generally used.
Abstract
To perform the process of abstraction.
I own myself able to abstract in one sense.
Abstract
That which comprises or concentrates in itself the essential qualities of a larger thing or of several things. Specifically: A summary or an epitome, as of a treatise or book, or of a statement; a brief.
An abstract of every treatise he had read.
Man, the abstractOf all perfection, which the workmanshipOf Heaven hath modeled.
Abstract
A state of separation from other things; as, to consider a subject in the abstract, or apart from other associated things.
Abstract
An abstract term.
The concretes "father" and "son" have, or might have, the abstracts "paternity" and "filiety."
Abstract
A powdered solid extract of a vegetable substance mixed with sugar of milk in such proportion that one part of the abstract represents two parts of the original substance.
Abstract
A concept or idea not associated with any specific instance;
He loved her only in the abstract--not in person
Abstract
A sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory
Abstract
Consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically
Abstract
Make off with belongings of others
Abstract
Consider apart from a particular case or instance;
Let's abstract away from this particular example
Abstract
Give an abstract (of)
Abstract
Existing only in the mind; separated from embodiment;
Abstract words like `truth' and `justice'
Abstract
Not representing or imitating external reality or the objects of nature;
A large abstract painting
Abstract
Based on specialized theory;
A theoretical analysis
Abstract
Dealing with a subject in the abstract without practical purpose or intention;
Abstract reasoning
Abstract science
Common Curiosities
How does abstract thinking benefit creativity?
Abstract thinking enables individuals to envision possibilities beyond the existing reality, fostering creativity by allowing the mind to explore ideas without limitations.
Can someone be good at abstract thinking but not conceptual thinking?
It's possible, as abstract thinking involves generalizing and recognizing patterns without the need for concrete examples, whereas conceptual thinking requires understanding and applying specific concepts and principles.
Are conceptual skills important in the workplace?
Yes, conceptual skills are crucial, especially in leadership and management roles, as they involve problem-solving, strategic planning, and understanding complex relationships within the organization.
Can conceptual thinking be applied in everyday life?
Absolutely, conceptual thinking is used daily in problem-solving, decision-making, and understanding complex situations by applying known concepts and principles.
How does abstract thinking relate to art?
In art, abstract thinking can lead to the creation of works that explore concepts, emotions, and ideas without relying on representational forms, encouraging viewers to engage with art on a more conceptual level.
Can conceptual and abstract thinking be developed simultaneously?
Yes, engaging in diverse intellectual activities and challenging oneself with new and complex problems can develop both conceptual and abstract thinking skills.
Is conceptual thinking the same as critical thinking?
Conceptual thinking is a component of critical thinking, focusing on understanding and applying specific concepts, while critical thinking is broader, encompassing analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information.
How can one improve abstract thinking abilities?
Engaging in activities that challenge the mind, such as puzzles, philosophical discussions, and creative pursuits, can enhance abstract thinking skills.
How do conceptual and abstract thinking contribute to scientific advancements?
Scientific advancements often rely on conceptual thinking to apply existing knowledge and abstract thinking to imagine new theories and possibilities beyond current understandings.
Do all professions require conceptual and abstract thinking?
While the degree may vary, most professions benefit from some level of conceptual and abstract thinking for problem-solving, innovation, and adapting to new situations.
Is abstract thought unique to humans?
Abstract thought is considered a hallmark of advanced cognitive abilities, primarily associated with humans, though some studies suggest certain aspects might be present in other species.
Is abstract thinking more difficult than conceptual thinking?
Difficulty is subjective and can vary by individual; some may find abstract thinking more challenging due to its detachment from concrete examples, while others might struggle with the specificity of conceptual thinking.
How do educators teach abstract concepts to students?
Educators often use analogies, models, and interactive activities to bridge the gap between students' existing knowledge and abstract concepts, making them more relatable and understandable.
Are there tests to measure conceptual and abstract thinking?
Yes, various psychological and aptitude tests assess aspects of conceptual and abstract thinking, such as pattern recognition, problem-solving, and the ability to understand complex ideas.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
