3 Modes Of Thinking: Lateral, Divergent, and Convergent
A fundamental element of humanity is our capacity for serious belief and imaginative creativity. It appears that our capability and choice to do so repeatedly somehow define us as kinds.
Also, it’s not a big leap to say that being able and willing to think critically, thoughtfully, and creatively is more important than knowing a lot about a topic. But that’s a topic for another day.
3 Modes Of Thinking: Lateral, Divergent & Convergent Thought
1. Convergent Thinking
Convergent thinking is often used in problem-solving situations where there is a need to find a single correct answer. For example, when taking a multiple-choice test, convergent thinking would be used to select the correct answer from the options provided.
So, what does all of this mean for you? If you find yourself stuck on a problem, it may be helpful to try using convergent thinking to find a single solution. However, if you’re looking to generate new ideas, divergent thinking may be a better approach.
Convergent thinking is a valuable skill to have, but it’s important to remember that there is more than one way to approach a problem or task. By being aware of the different types of thinking, you can open yourself up to new possibilities and solutions.
2. Divergent Thinking
‘Divergent thinking is a thought process or method used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions. It is often used in conjunction with its cognitive colleague, convergent thinking, which follows a particular set of logical steps to arrive at one solution, which in some cases is a ‘correct solution. By contrast, divergent thinking typically occurs in a spontaneous, free-flowing, ‘
By contrast, divergent thinking generally occurs in a spontaneous, free-flowing, ‘non-linear’ fashion, generating several ideas through emergent cognitive processes. Numerous alternative solutions are investigated in a short period, and unexpected connections are made. After the process of divergent thinking is complete, convergent thinking is used to organise and arrange thoughts and information.’
3. Lateral Thinking
‘Lateral thinking is solving problems through an indirect and creative approach, using reasoning that is not immediately obvious and involving ideas that may not be obtainable by using only traditional step-by-step logic.
To grasp lateral thinking, it is important to compare it with critical thinking. Critical thinking is preoccupied with determining the truthfulness of statements and identifying mistakes. Lateral thinking concerns a statement’s or idea’s “movement value.” A person uses lateral thinking to progress from one well-known concept to the generation of new ones.’
Challenges while Thinking
It is critical to provide the creative process with a structure and framework to define your ideas. If you attempt to push ahead too quickly without first laying the framework, the breadth and depth of your solutions will suffer.
The first step is to characterise the issue clearly. To convey the challenge succinctly and plainly. Rejecting the first definitions and delving further into the issue will provide bigger rewards in the following phases. The more you know and comprehend the difficulty, the more ideas for the following phase will begin to flow.
It’s also critical to state the issue to comprehend what the remedy may look like. Visualizing the sort of solution and the objectives you intend to accomplish is a necessary step toward a solution.
Every act of creativity starts with a question; Why or What-If? By asking several questions, you begin to develop numerous possibilities. This is why optimism and a good attitude are critical at this time, although judgement should be reserved till later. You must spread in all directions without regard for an idea’s legitimacy or prospective efficacy.
Emergent Thinking
At some point throughout the brainstorming process, wholly new ideas and concepts will emerge that is larger than the sum of their parts. By investigating possibilities and producing several ideas, various new thoughts and solutions emerge from the synthesis of those ideas that could not be discovered in isolation.
Emergent thinking occurs when you advance toward previously unknown options that become obvious only via comparison and combination of created thoughts.
