Pink Moon Leaves
In our previous article we saw that human potentials could manifest as the Linguistic, Analytical-Logical, Spatial, Personal and Physical-Mechanical. All of us have all five potentials to varying levels. This article speaks about the Analytical-Logical Potential.
“Imagine all the leaves on the moon are pink!” the teacher said to 8-year-old Sunitha. “Sharadha has just returned from the moon with a moon leaf! What would be the colour of this leaf?” “Pink”… came the prompt reply.
The answer seems obvious. But others may say there cannot be any leaves on the moon. Still others might wonder how Sharadha managed to get a moon leaf! Whatever your response, consider what you did when you attempted to answer the question. You took the given information, processed it in your mind, put the data together and then decided on your answer. You used your ability to analyse data and look at it logically. Your ability to plan, analyse, reason, deal with information… all rest of your Analytical-Logical Potential. Logical thinking lies at the core of almost every aspect of our lives.
The person’s ability think logically, analyse, understand cause-effect relationships and solve problems is reflected by the Analytical-Logical Potential. The ability to understand the underlying dynamics of a problem, make the links between components and identify solutions are related to the human ability to analyse and apply logic. Similarly, the ability to extract information from a mass of data, use this information to identify trends and patterns and make predictions, all rest on the Analytical- Logical Potential. An important point to be noted is that this potential is often associated with science and mathematics. This is an erroneous linkage. A large range of human endeavour requires logical ability. The archaeologist who is able to tell us about the dressing habits of a civilisation based on extrapolations from a comb discovered on the site uses logical skills as much as another person involved in abstract mathematics. Grappling with the problem of the ‘pink moon leaf’ is in effect an application of logical skills.
Almost all careers require the ability to think logically and plan. The human being’s ability to reason and use logic, is one of the most frequently tested aptitudes. While all of us have it to some degree at least, some of us are better at planning and logical thinking, than others.
Careers Linked to the Logical Aptitude
All forms of research based activities, require a high logical ability. The researcher begins with a question. The question may be, “Why are a larger number of unemployed among engineers than among psychologists?” The researcher then collects data using various types of tests and questionnaires. This information is analysed until the answer to the initial question is found. This is an example of a research question that may be asked by Industrial Psychologists, Sociologists, Economists, and Social Workers. Whatever the fields maybe, research uses the rules of logic to explore uncharted territory and add new knowledge in a particular field.
The Software Designer relies heavily on the logical aptitude to write effective and economical programmes. The computer is a machine. It cannot act on its own. What it does understand is a form of logic. A good programmer is one who can convert the client’s requirements into a code that a computer understands.
The Media Planner plans an advertising campaign. Is there space in the market for yet another brand of soap? Who would be the ideal target audience for a new line of jeans… 5- to 10-year-olds, teenagers, young adults, elderly people? Answers to these types of questions help the media planner interpret market trends and then plan the advertising campaign for a product.
The Intelligence and Investigative Careers, deal with the collection and analysis of information, to prevent or investigate crime, corruption, frauds, economic offences, and so on. The Central Bureau of Investigation seems constantly to be on the heels of yet another scam! Ballistics specialists in police departments help track down a criminal by analysing the bullet fired from his or her gun.
Careers in Finance go beyond adding up columns of figures. The Finance professional is a key person in helping a company understand its cash flows and become more efficient in the way it funds are earned and spent. The Cost and Work Accountant, for example, helps a company work out the actual cost of production and the optimal profit margin.
While all careers require some amount of the logical ability, certain careers are specifically loaded for this aptitude. Some other careers that require the logical ability are engineering, statistics, pure science, economics, management, operations research, actuary, and banking. Take a closer look at yourself. If you enjoy understanding numbers, if you like planning and analysis or working with information and data, then perhaps the Analytical-Logical type of careers are for you.
This article is a part of a series of articles developed especially for parents by The Promise Foundation through its Jiva Career Guidance Programme. For more information please contact Naushad Awadia who is a licensed Jiva Career Counsellor in your area at naushad_awadia@yahoo.com or write to us at promise@vsnl.com
