Train of thought
Encyclopedia
The train of thought, stream of thought, trail of thought, or chain of thought refers to the interconnection in the sequence of ideas expressed during a connected discourse
or thought
, as well as the sequence itself, especially in discussion how this sequence leads from one idea to another.
When a reader or listener "loses the train of thought" (i.e., loses the relation between consecutive sentences or phrases, or the relation between non-verbal concepts in an argument or presentation), comprehension
is lost of the expressed or unexpressed thought.
The term "train of thoughts" was introduced and elaborated as early as in 1651 by Thomas Hobbes
in his Leviathan
, though with a somewhat different meaning (similar to the meaning used by the British associationists
):
Discourse
Discourse generally refers to "written or spoken communication". The following are three more specific definitions:...
or thought
Thought
"Thought" generally refers to any mental or intellectual activity involving an individual's subjective consciousness. It can refer either to the act of thinking or the resulting ideas or arrangements of ideas. Similar concepts include cognition, sentience, consciousness, and imagination...
, as well as the sequence itself, especially in discussion how this sequence leads from one idea to another.
When a reader or listener "loses the train of thought" (i.e., loses the relation between consecutive sentences or phrases, or the relation between non-verbal concepts in an argument or presentation), comprehension
Reading comprehension
Reading comprehension is defined as the level of understanding of a text. This understanding comes from the interaction between the words that are written and how they trigger knowledge outside the text. ....
is lost of the expressed or unexpressed thought.
The term "train of thoughts" was introduced and elaborated as early as in 1651 by Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury , in some older texts Thomas Hobbs of Malmsbury, was an English philosopher, best known today for his work on political philosophy...
in his Leviathan
Leviathan (book)
Leviathan or The Matter, Forme and Power of a Common Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil — commonly called simply Leviathan — is a book written by Thomas Hobbes and published in 1651. Its name derives from the biblical Leviathan...
, though with a somewhat different meaning (similar to the meaning used by the British associationists
Association of Ideas
Association of Ideas, or Mental association, is a term used principally in the history of philosophy and of psychology to refer to explanations about the conditions under which representations arise in consciousness, and also for a principle put forward by an important historical school of thinkers...
):
By Consequence, or train of thoughts, I understand that succession of one thought to another which is called, to distinguish it from discourse in words, mental discourse.
When a man thinketh on anything whatsoever, his next thought after is not altogether so casual as it seems to be. Not every thought to every thought succeeds indifferently.
See also
- Derailment (thought disorder)Derailment (thought disorder)In psychiatry, derailment refers to a pattern of discourse that is a sequence of unrelated or only remotely related ideas. The frame of reference often changes from one sentence to the next...
- Absent-mindednessAbsent-mindednessAbsent-mindedness is where a person shows inattentive or forgetful behaviour. It can have three different causes:# a low level of attention...
- Internal monologueInternal monologueInternal monologue, also known as inner voice, internal speech, or verbal stream of consciousness is thinking in words. It also refers to the semi-constant internal monologue one has with oneself at a conscious or semi-conscious level....
- Mind-wanderingMind-wanderingMind-wandering is the experience of thoughts not remaining on a single topic for a long period of time, particularly when people are not engaged in an attention-demanding task...
- Association of IdeasAssociation of IdeasAssociation of Ideas, or Mental association, is a term used principally in the history of philosophy and of psychology to refer to explanations about the conditions under which representations arise in consciousness, and also for a principle put forward by an important historical school of thinkers...
- AssociationismAssociationismAssociationism in philosophy refers to the idea that mental processes operate by the association of one state with its successor states.The idea is first recorded in Plato and Aristotle, especially with regard to the succession of memories....
- Stream of consciousnessStream of consciousness (psychology)Stream of consciousness refers to the flow of thoughts in the conscious mind. The full range of thoughts that one can be aware of can form the content of this stream, not just verbal thoughts...