Characteristics
Probing, probing, probing… These are extraordinarily inquisitive individuals. Logical learners push the very boundaries of logic. They will question everything, and they can’t rest until they understand the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’. This is what propels them toward the mastery level. And they will never take something at face value simply because they are told. They desire validity and proof which can then be reproduced and further validated. These are the individuals who give us answers to questions such as “Why is the sky blue?” And it’s not enough to know that 2 + 2 = 4. The logical learner will want to tell you why and how that equation works. The end product is not sufficient for the Logical. Instead, they want to dissect and discover how and why a process achieves the end product or arrives at the conclusion — and furthermore, be able to replicate it consistently by pinning and predicting the variables.
Assimilation
The logical learner is naturally a critical thinker. They function on a different plane of thought. They live at that cognitive level most of the time, and are therefore highly intelligent individuals. Their assimilation of information comes through analysis.
Motivation
Their own curiosity is what drives them. Their desire for understanding and comprehension for the process is contagious, and they have a thirst to discover the unknown in making it known to others. They often ask probing questions their peers would not necessarily think about, or would possibly consider a moot or lame point. But the logical learner will drive it home, forging a path that brings hidden things to the surface, and enlightenment where there was darkness. When they do, they can garner awe that leaves peers eating their dust.
Method
They learn through inquisition, rationale, logic, and they are gifted in areas of problem-solving and strategy.
Means
They enjoy theory, analysis, and statistics. They create hypotheses, and they often conduct research. These are the “thinkers”, and they are generally very pensive individuals because they ponder so deeply. The goal of the logical learner is not merely to gain knowledge, but to achieve understanding. Their minds gravitate toward contemplation. In their study they will always dig deeper, which often launches them to higher levels in academia. They can have a diversity of secondary learning styles which they may employ toward this end. In doing so they become the “professional students”, who continue to aspire to higher levels.
Strengths
Their cognitive skills are extraordinary. These are the people that push society to new heights and open new portals for development. Their success and satisfaction comes with the comprehension of any given subject by which their mastery is achieved. They value higher education, and it is not uncommon for them to have more than one degree. They commonly obtain PhD’s and win awards for their achievements, and they make excellent mentors once they are satisfied, having mastered their area of expertise.
Weakness or Dysfunction
Logicals may not be given to the virtue of faith very easily, as they desire proof for the existence of what they cannot see or know. Logicals who do not find cooperative peer groups with whom they can interact and share often suffer misunderstanding and loneliness. They can be difficult to relate to, and their social skills may be lacking. Just as others struggle in relating to them because their cognitive skills are advanced, they may not know how to relate to others either whose cognitive skills are nominal. This lack of social stimuli and peer relations can drive them toward an independent learning style they may not desire, which can be deflating. Logical learners genuinely need feedback from peers of their own kind in order to grow. Those may prove to be few. The logical learner can frustrate peers who see no need to dig deeper or invest more time and energy toward proving a given point. To put it simply, they can be exasperating. This is where they commonly clash with other learning styles. Logicals can be easily misunderstood, precisely because their plane of thought is one seldom comprehended by any other than their own kind. Their peers can easily be overwhelmed by them. Logicals challenge both their professors and peers, requiring special attention for their many questions, which if not careful, can disrupt and dominate the classroom. Let all professors beware: they will push you to new heights, depths, and breadths — so be ready for that encounter when it comes — because it will.
Interactions
VISUAL: Logical learners can glean a lot from visuals in their ability to portray abstract concepts so clearly. Logical learners may very well have a visual flair, which makes them a powerful force to be reckoned with.
AUDITORY: Logical learners, when they are able to communicate well, are an enormous asset to the auditory learner. Their style is precisely that which the traditional classroom thrives upon.
VERBAL: Verbals and Logicals have a great time together. They spark many stimulating discussions that continually feed their fiery personalities. There’s never a dull moment for these two.
KINESTHETIC: These are a fine pair. Where Logicals offer hypotheses, the Kinesthetic employs the process. Kinesthetics can be a powerful asset to the logical learner because they are able to demonstrate a particular analysis or valid proof (ie NASA). When a logical learner and a kinesthetic join forces, achievements abound.
SOCIAL: Logical learners can be very social. However, they are not dependents. They are team-players. Their critical thinking is inherently sharp, and their autonomy is fierce. For the logical learner, when surrounded by a collective body of peers who think the same, there is no ceiling. When there is this much brain power in one room — the sky is the limit.
INDEPENDENT: Logicals work beautifully with Independents because their thinking styles can be somewhat similar. Both are pioneers. They have this trait in common. Therefore, the independent is always ready to shake hands with a logical learner who is on board with their idea. They make excellent partners toward a specific goal or end when they can work together. For the Independent this may be an exception, but for the Logical, the Independent provides the added affirmation, stimulation and inspiration desired to pursue a matter and succeed.
CREATIVE: A Creative will simply stimulate a Logical to ask more questions, instead of answering them or confirming their hypotheses. Creatives burst with ideas that leave Logicals overwhelmed, and many times their ideas are of a different order — having no logic whatsoever. This drives the logical learner crazy. Logicals and Creatives both process the abstract. However, their means are different in achieving the same end. Where the Logical uses a more linear or concrete approach, the Creative will use an artistic or abstract one that leaves the Logical purely frustrated — precisely because they can’t pin it down. Logical learners can indeed be Creatives as well, and vice-versa. And when they are, they can take things to the outer limit — going where no one has gone before, because their creative ideas forged by analysis easily breed new discoveries. But if they’re not, these two can struggle seeing eye-to-eye. Therefore the type of Creative with whom a Logical works is very important if success is going to be achieved. They need to be one who is naturally inclined toward the logical as their secondary learning style.
Suggestions
• Determine your study climate carefully (ie. time, space, location, etc.).
• Take excellent notes.
• Organize your research carefully and be consistent.
• Prepare for higher education.
• Find an individual with whom you can confide your findings who is a complimentary learning style.
• Spend one-on-one time with your professors when possible.
• Log your questions and ask them after class or outside the classroom.
• Choose your questions carefully while in class.
• Seek out a mentor who is established in the profession you seek to master.
• Gather information from varied but reputable sources.
• Join a club or group where you can share and explore with others of like minds and kindred interest.
• Special or advanced courses are a must.
Prominent Traits
• Critical thinkers
• Inquisitive
• Comprehension is their goal
• Their logic requires proof
• Higher order of thought
• Frustrate peers
• Excellent professors
• Advance society
• Inventive
• Achieve mastery
Required for Success
• Time with professors
• Support from parents
• Advanced learning or gifted programs
• Like-minded peer interaction
• A mentor
• Higher education
