Final answer:
Temple Grandin's ability to think visually resonated with animals' sensory-based thought processes, giving her insight into their behavior. Animals rely on sensory perceptions and can engage in pattern thinking, as demonstrated by cognitive studies with chimpanzees.
Step-by-step explanation:
Temple Grandin's visual thinking provided her unique insights into the animal mind largely because animals are primarily sensory-based thinkers. Unlike humans who use verbal communication and complex symbolic thought extensively, animals largely rely on their sensory perceptions, such as vision, to navigate and understand their environment. This sensory processing aligns closely with Grandin's visual thinking, allowing her to empathize with and understand animal behavior on a deeper level.
Furthermore, cognitive studies on animals like chimpanzees have shown that they can engage in abstract thought and problem-solving, qualities that suggest animals are capable of pattern thinking as well. For instance, when chimpanzees stacked boxes to reach a banana, they demonstrated foresight and planning, indicative of visual-spatial intelligence and insight learning.