Visualization in education is a set of techniques involving visual elements such as diagrams, charts, videos, films, and interactive models that help to improve understanding and assimilation of information. In other words, it is the process by which visual information, data, and knowledge are transformed into visual form. Although visualization techniques are often used in higher education, there is a lack of systematic research in the context of social science education that reveals which visualization techniques are most effective in improving students' critical thinking, analytical understanding, and creativity. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify areas of application of visualization techniques in the social sciences from a theoretical and practical perspective. A systematic literature review and a student questionnaire survey were chosen to determine how visualization techniques contribute to the promotion of critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity in social science studies.

The systematic analysis revealed that visualization not only facilitates the assimilation of information, but also helps students develop professional competencies and technical skills, to better perceive complex social concepts, and to stimulate their imagination, understanding and creative problem-solving, analytical and critical thinking. The results of the questionnaire survey showed that visualizations such as conceptual maps, info graphics, data visualization, videos, etc. help students to generate new ideas, create original solutions, experience authentic contexts, and interpret real data through visual analysis. The results of the study revealed that students' attitudes towards the use of visualization are positive, but the actual use of visualization techniques is limited. The results of the systematic literature review also confirmed that the development of visual thinking in the social sciences is still an under-researched area. In particular, there is a lack of empirical evidence on how different forms of visualization can be integrated into teaching strategies in social sciences.

Keywords: Visualization, visualization techniques, education, creativity, perception, critical thinking.