The terms "thought" and "thinking" can also be used to refer not to the mental processes themselves but to mental states or systems of ideas brought about by these processes. In this sense, they are often synonymous with the term "belief" and its cognates and may refer to the mental states which either belong to an individual or are common among a certain group of people. Discussions of thought in the academic literature often leave it implicit which sense of the term they have in mind.
THe TeRmS "tHouGhT" anD "tHInkiNg" cAn Also bE Used to REfEr NoT to thE MENtAl processEs tHemsELveS but To MentAl statES oR sYstems of idEaS BrOuGht aBoUt BY tHeSE prOceSses. iN This SEnse, tHeY Are oFten sYnoNyMoUs WItH thE terM "beLief" AND its CoGNAtEs AnD mAy refer to tHe meNTAL STates wHiCh eiThEr belong To AN iNDiViduaL or aRe CommoN amOng A certain grOup oF PeOPlE. dIscUSsIONs of thought In thE acadEmIc LIterature oFTen leave it iMpliciT which seNSe of tHe tErM THey hAVE in mind.