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• This type of thinker is known as "seeing the forest before the trees."
• A lumper is also known as a global thinker, meaning he or she sees and understands the broad concept, rather than focusing on details.
• Lumpers usually learn well from books and lectures, especially if the writer or speaker deals in generalizations.  Lumpers usually excel in liberal arts classes. 
  • However, having to learn specific techniques, such as math, labs, and computers may be difficult. 
  • Lumpers sometimes run into trouble by concentrating so much on generalizations that they have no grasp of the particulars at all. 
• Lumpers work best on their own, by internalizing those general concepts and fitting them into their previous experience.

Thoughts for lumpers to consider:

• This type is known for "seeing the trees before the forest."
• Understand that you have a tendency to gloss over details. 
• For every concept you learn, learn a specific application of it as well. 
• For every theory, learn a particular case where the theory applies. 
• For every general principle, learn some examples that demonstrate its truth. 
• Be patient with splitters.

SPLITTER (SEQUENTIAL) - like details first.

• Details and specifics come easily, but the general concepts may be harder. 
  • For instance, in calculus, you may know all of the formulas. 
    • But, you must also know the theory that ties those formulas together.  That's the only way you will know which formula to use to solve a particular problem. 
  • In history, you may know the details - dates, major events, and names.
    • But, you must also understand the historical setting and the motivations of the time. 
• Splitters tend to prefer hands-on courses such as accounting, math, or the sciences, where command of detail counts.

Thoughts for splitters to consider:

• You understand that details are easy for you, but concepts are harder. 
• Make sure that you understand not only the detail, but the framework within which that detail fits. 
• Concentrate on concepts - the big picture - as you listen to lectures, read your texts, and study for exams. Work with others to make sure that you do, in fact, understand the appropriate concepts. 
• Try to place each fact you learn with its theory. 
• Be patient with lumpers.