What is the difference between "way of thinking" vs "the way they think"

Question

I am writing a short description of a social experiement. The objective is to get a better idea of the way people think. 
I have some troubles to understand the difference between those two phrases:

To encounter people and better understand their way of thinking
To encounter people and better understand the way they think

Is there any difference in meaning between those two phrases? If so, could you please tell me what their are?

Thanks a lot for your help!

Nicole · Accepted Answer

Way of thinking typically refers to someone's perspective or viewpoint, e.g., "It's a good plan, by my way of thinking."

The way they think uses the definition of way that means "how someone does something," so the phrase would refer to the method or practice that people use to think. For example, the way one person thinks might be by carefully analyzing the facts, while the way another person thinks might be to jump to conclusions.

jade · Answer

The "way of thinking" is the lens you see through allowing bias and belief to influence how you see something. Cultural views show this. Ie. How Americams views themselves vs how the French see Americans.
The "way you think" are the actions of deduction you choose to use to counteract or cement "the way of thinking" you feel most comfortable with or/and meets your objectives.
We use both. It's like I may think culturally all Americans are loud blow hard bullies yet meeting them individually I know the majority are generous, giving, curious, fun loving people.
I don't know if this is correct but this is how these terms feel to me and through my way of seeing and investigation.

What is the difference between "way of thinking" vs "the way they think"

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