Before continuing, it would be good to clarify one idea. Divergent thinking is a thought process or method used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions. While in many cases, this strategy is useful and necessary, we must admit that real life is complex, dynamic, and imprecise enough that it’s unrealistic to think that problems have only one solution. Divergent th inking typically occurs in a spontaneous, free-flowing manner, such that the ideas are generated in a random, unorganized fashion. What can I do with a paper clip and a spoon? If convergent thinking is applied then after, the very best answer can be picked out from the multiple solutions resulted due to divergent thinking. We can’t see the brain as an entity with clearly separated areas. What kind of uses could you come up with if we gave you a toothbrush and a toothpick? Divergent thinking is a longer process as compared to convergent thinking. ), Eliminate something (What if you get to work a little earlier to make better use of the day? This exercise takes a lot of mental work. It's a constant battle against your…, One of the greatest personal achievements you can make is complete emotional independence. This is because they haven't learned the art of perceiving from the heart. This procedure is unorganized and yields unexpected connections. Psychology Definition of CONVERGENT THINKING: the kind of critical thinking wherein a person examines a quantity of previously developed … This occurs when you take full responsibility…, When a bond you have with someone makes you a better person that is a clear sign that the person…, Psychological debriefing is a quick intervention that takes place the first days after a traumatic event. Divergent thinking, also referred to as lateral thinking, is the process of creating multiple, unique ideas or solutions related to a problem that you are trying to solve. A. Ross: “Thinking is a mental activity in its cognitive aspect or mental activity with regard to psychological aspects”. Because actually it is a very nuanced process. For example: The Scamper technique is another creative idea-developing strategy developed by Bob Eberle. Divergent thinking goes hand-in-hand with joy, optimism, and inner well-being. This symptom can become normal if it happens at…, In our current society, people often associate the word "addiction" with substance abuse. Garrett: This material may not be reprinted or copied for any reason without the express written consent of AlleyDog.com. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Being aware…, Mom, tell me again about how I was born. ), Reform it (What would happen if I dared to…? With our high-pressure, busy lives, we neglect many of these valuable dimensions. In a society accustomed to mimicking similar skills, there comes a time when large companies begin to value other skills. to generate several possible solutions to a problem. Convergent thinking is used in accordance with divergent thinking. His Stanford prison experiment was only the beginning of…. Dad, tell me about what you felt. The information and ideas obtained as a result of divergent thinking can be structured using convergent thinking to produce a single most effective answer. UK: Vermilion, Runko, A. Psychologists who are experts in creativity say that people have different mental networks of association: People with “steep” semantic networks are governed more by logic and linear thinking. UK: Vermilion, Divergent Thinking (Creativity Research). The trick is to find ways to be consistent about it by employing both divergent and convergent thinking and the strengths that support them, so that you continue to grow personally. International: Português | Türkçe | Deutsch | 日本語 | Italiano | Español | Suomi | Français | Polski | Dansk | Norsk bokmål | Svenska | Nederlands | 한국어. The name of this test suggests that it is a divergent thinking test, and its acronym (TCT-DP) makes it easy to confuse with Torrance’s TTCT. Rather than presenting a series of problems for rote memorization or resolution, divergent thinking presents open-ended problems and encourages students to develop their own solutions to problems. convergent thinking: the opposite of divergent thinking, the capacity to narrow in on the single “correct” answer or solution to a given question or problem (e.g., giving the right response on an intelligence tests) creativity: ability to generate, create, or discover new ideas, solutions, and possibilities Divergent Thinking Definition Divergent thinking, often referred to as lateral thinking, is the process of creating multiple, unique ideas or solutions to a problem that you are trying to solve. Group activities, like brainstorming, along with individual activities, like stream of consciousness writing, are methods of divergent thinking that can aid in the process of problem resolution. Therefore, we need to learn how to use true divergent thinking. Please subscribe to my channel: http://bit.ly/spencervideosImagine you have a problem you need to solve and you’re looking for innovative solutions. Divergent thinking in children is an exceptional gift. Divergent thinking is the opposite of convergent thinking, which involves solving problems through obvious choices only. Summary: Using both Convergent and Divergent Thinking. Mark (1991) Divergent Thinking (Creativity Research). Also called: ‘Thinking … Divergent thinking is a process wherein as many solutions as possible to a problem are generated, and then the best solution from that group is selected. In many courses aimed at training people in divergent thinking, students are asked questions like the following: At the beginning, it may be hard to come up with even one idea. In fact, it is also a type of thinking very common in children, where joy, imagination, and a fresh perspective make their reasoning more free. In general, they’ve prioritized a type of reflection (or rather lack thereof) where the student must use linear thinking, rules, and structured processes to come to the one “right” solution. Divergent thinking takes place in a free-flowing manner and is spontaneous, which results in multiple possible solutions in short amount of time. ), Give it other uses (What is there at work that I could do in a more fun way? Convergent thinking is useful and necessary on many occasions. All material within this site is the property of AlleyDog.com. Tell me if you were afraid in those hours before I was born. This is … Through spontaneous, free-flowing thinking, divergent thinking requires coming up … Divergent thinking is the capacity to find relationships between ideas, concepts, and processes that, at first glance, lack any similarity. To understand how this works a little better, let’s see what kind of psychological processes come into play. However, the real problem is that we’ve been “trained” to only think this way. There is a movement in education that maintains divergent thinking might create more resourceful students. Thus, a person capable of offering innovation and creativity can make an attractive candidate. However, it is based on an approach that differs substantially from divergent thinking (Torrance) or divergent production (Guilford)—a Gestalt 5-psychology theory of creativity. That is, sometimes they relate two things to each other that don’t make sense but other networks contribute and an ingenious idea results. What is convergent and divergent thinking in psychology? Start studying Chapter 7 Cognition, Thinking, & Divergent Thinking. There are different methods in divergent thinking. However, our schools and universities still prioritize a very convergent type of thinking in their methodology. What…, Processing obsessive thoughts is a tough job. Convergent thinking refers to the ability to put a number of different pieces from different perspectives of a topic together in some organized, logical manner to find a … In no sense is this information intended to provide diagnoses or act as a substitute for the work of a qualified professional. Divergent thinking is an aspect of intelligence a thought process or method, which is usually applied with the goal to generate ideas. Other dimensions that bring ingenuity and vitality to their projects. http://www.theaudiopedia.com What is DIVERGENT THINKING? The amount of new ideas is much higher than in convergent thinking, and the emphasis is placed on the overall picture of a situation, ideas, and problems. Adventures in Divergent Thinking: Breaking through the inertia of no., by Kathryn Haydon, MSc Divergent thinking refers to the ability to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions in an effort to find one that works. This is different from convergent thinking which attempts to find a single, correct answer to a problem. Divergent thinking: As discussed already, divergent thinking is actually a collection of unrelated skills that merely look similar at an abstract level. In fact, when generating an idea, whether it is ingenious, conservative, logical, or highly creative, we use our whole brain. Their open mind is full of possibilities and unusual, original, and constant idiosyncratic reasoning. People with “steep” semantic networks are governed more by logic and linear thinking. In the 1960’s J.P. Guilford differentiated and defined convergent and divergent thinking. All ideas are valid for idea stimulation in divergent thinking. Start studying Convergent vs. Divergent thinking. Therefore, we could also conclude that this type of thinking is also born out of a certain attitude towards life: free, cheerful, nonconformist, open to new experiences…, Bono, Edward (2014) Lateral Thinking: An Introduction. In other words, they are making connections in both sides of the brain, not just one. Divergent Thinking Divergent thinking is an important type of thinking in problem solving, and an important concept in psychology. When it comes to problem solving and idea generation, two ways are commonly cited, namely divergent and convergent thinking strategies. It is often used for creative and problem solving purposes in conjunction with Convergent thinking. However, some people are capable of coming up with multiple answers and ingenious ideas because they are good at what Edward de Bono calls “lateral thinking”. And in how we work? Lateral Thinking: An Introduction. 1. It is very useful in creating something innovative and practicing divergent thinking. Many educational centers do encourage their students to do more than find the right answer. “Imagination is the beginning of creation. It typically occurs in a spontaneous, free-flowing, "non-linear" manner, such that many ideas are generated in an emergent cognitive fashion. There, the goal is to be able to create new questions. Read on and find out how to do it. We can do it daily by choosing the concepts ourselves. For example, let’s say we have to come up with an idea for work. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service. Divergent thinking refers to a way of solving problems wherein a variety of possible solutions are proposed in an effort to find one that works. Psychologists who are experts in creativity say that people have different mental networks of association: We have all heard about how the right hemisphere of the brain is the creative side and the left is the logical side. Thinking: . Once we have that “idea”, we’ll put it through a series of “filters”. Get the word of the day delivered to your inbox, © 1998-, AlleyDog.com. The key lies is in how we connect one idea to another. What does DIVERGENT THINKING mean? What kind of things could you do with a brick and a pen? The most ingenious people use tree-like thought processes. No one kind of thinking is better than another. However, sometimes that creative potential disappears when children grow up in an educational system that standardizes the mindset of all students, unifying their perspectives. Convergent and divergent thinking require two different parts of the brain. ), Adapt it (What do people do to be less stressed at other workplaces? To do so, we will focus on four areas in particular: Now here are four ways to improve the four areas above: “Synectics” is a term coined by psychologist William J. J. Gordon. Divergent thinking involves artistry which is associated with the right brain while convergent thinking encompasses logical reasoning which employs the left brain. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Divergent Thinking A cognitive process (a mode of critical thinking) in which a person generates many unique, creative responses to a single question or problem. ), Now combine everything (What can we do to make our work more fun? It takes a lot of willpower and discipline. Creativity Research, Herostratus Complex: Specialists in the Art of Posing, 3 Strategies to Process Obsessive Thoughts, My Greatest Triumph Is Having Achieved Emotional Independence, When Someone Makes You a Better Person You Know They Should Be in Your Life, Sandro Botticelli: Biography and Metamorphosis of the Soul, Philip Zimbardo, Author of The Lucifer Effect. Divergent thinking is important in today’s modern world. Creativity Research, It talks, it whispers, it yells… It expresses itself however it can, or however we let it, sometimes. On the other hand, divergent thinking expands outward by generating multiple ideas, often thinking like a hacker and using materials in original ways. For this we recommend that you contact a reliable specialist. Although Guilford emphasized the importance of training children in divergent thinking, educational institutions have paid little attention to him. Substitute one element of that idea for another. People with “flat” semantic networks have mental networks that are much more connected. ), Modify it (How can we work without becoming stressed? Convergent thinking narrows down multiple ideas into a single solution. This is different from convergent thinking which attempts to find a single, correct answer to a problem. n (Psychology) psychol thinking in an unusual and unstereotyped way, e.g. Having good relationships, being well-rested, and being free of pressure, anxiety, and stress puts you in an ideal position for divergent thinking. So many people see but don't perceive. The content in this publication is presented for informative purposes only. What relationship could there be between the Limpopo River in Africa and Lake Baikal in Siberia? Therefore, according this theory, people who use more divergent or lateral thinking will more often use the right hemisphere. This event can be…, Today, we'll travel back several hundred years to the Renaissance to learn about Sandro Botticelli, one of the most renowned…, You've probably experienced a sudden (or gradual) loss of appetite before. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at last you create what you will.”. Articles and opinions on happiness, fear and other aspects of human psychology. While convergent thinking relies more on logic, divergent thinking relies more on creativity. Look it up now! ). When new, creative, innovative, and vague ideas are presented as a result of divergent thinking; systematic, procedural, precise and time-effective convergent thinking is required to work on the results of divergent thinkers, scrutinize and reach an unambiguous answer. Divergent thinking, or lateral thinking, is about generating multiple creative solutions to the same problem. Switching back and forth between the two may not seem like multitasking, but it is a form of multitasking. It is a spontaneous, fluid, non-linear mental approach based on curiosity and nonconformity. In this manner, they are correlated. However, behavioral addictions are equally important to…, Philip Zimbardo is a well-known and controversial social psychologist and researcher. Divergent thinking [edit | edit source]. Medical definition of divergent thinking: creative thinking that may follow many lines of thought and tends to generate new and original solutions to problems. A cognitive process (a mode of critical thinking) in which a person generates many unique, creative responses to a single question or problem. The goal of divergent thinking is to focus on a subject, in a free-wheeling way, to think of solutions that may not be obvious or predetermined. Divergent thinking takes place in a free-flowing, spontaneous manner and creates varieties of possible resolutions to another problem. Well, we have to be careful with this kind of generalization about lateralization or cerebral dominance. We’ve neglected spontaneity, wit, and captivating freedom. And multitasking is … Divergent thinking definition at Dictionary.com, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation. Basically, it means being able to find connections and relationships between concepts, objects, and ideas that seem unrelated. 2. Psychologist Nina Lieberman’s research in the very interesting book Playfulness: Its Relationship to Imagination and Creativity has something very relevant to add to this discussion. Lateral Thinking. Like we said, all of us, regardless of age, can practice and improve our divergent thinking. In an abundance of enthusiasm generated post-Sputnik 1, the convergent style of thinking was rapidly equated with typical intelligence. Following divergent thinking, the ideas and information will be organized using convergent thinking; i.e., putting the … On the other hand, divergent thinking was equated with creativity and both were not uncommonly presented as … © 2020 Exploring your mind | Blog about psychology and philosophy. (What can we change in how we have fun? 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