Divergent thinking
Encyclopedia
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 convergent thinking
, which follows a particular set of logical steps to arrive at one solution, which in some cases is a "correct" solution. Divergent thinking typically occurs in a spontaneous, free-flowing manner, such that many ideas are generated in an emergent
cognitive fashion. Many possible solutions are explored in a short amount of time, and unexpected connections are drawn. After the process of divergent thinking has been completed, ideas and information are organized and structured using convergent thinking.
Psychologists have found that a high IQ alone does not guarantee creativity. Instead, personality traits that promote divergent thinking are more important. Divergent thinking is found among people with personalities which have traits such as nonconformity, curiosity, willingness to take risks, and persistence. Additionally, researchers at Vanderbilt University
found that musicians are more adept at utilizing both hemispheres and more likely to use divergent thinking in their thought processes.
Activities which promote divergent thinking include creating lists of questions, setting aside time for thinking and meditation, brainstorming
, subject mapping / "bubble mapping", keeping a journal, creating artwork, and free writing. In free writing
, a person will focus on one particular topic and write non-stop about it for a short period of time, in a stream of consciousness fashion.
Convergent thinking
Convergent thinking is a term coined by Joy Paul Guilford as the opposite of divergent thinking. It generally means the ability to give the "correct" answer to standard questions that do not require significant creativity, for instance in most tasks in school and on standardized multiple-choice...
, which follows a particular set of logical steps to arrive at one solution, which in some cases is a "correct" solution. Divergent thinking typically occurs in a spontaneous, free-flowing manner, such that many ideas are generated in an emergent
Emergence
In philosophy, systems theory, science, and art, emergence is the way complex systems and patterns arise out of a multiplicity of relatively simple interactions. Emergence is central to the theories of integrative levels and of complex systems....
cognitive fashion. Many possible solutions are explored in a short amount of time, and unexpected connections are drawn. After the process of divergent thinking has been completed, ideas and information are organized and structured using convergent thinking.
Psychologists have found that a high IQ alone does not guarantee creativity. Instead, personality traits that promote divergent thinking are more important. Divergent thinking is found among people with personalities which have traits such as nonconformity, curiosity, willingness to take risks, and persistence. Additionally, researchers at Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
found that musicians are more adept at utilizing both hemispheres and more likely to use divergent thinking in their thought processes.
Activities which promote divergent thinking include creating lists of questions, setting aside time for thinking and meditation, brainstorming
Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a group creativity technique by which a group tries to find a solution for a specific problem by gathering a list of ideas spontaneously contributed by its members...
, subject mapping / "bubble mapping", keeping a journal, creating artwork, and free writing. In free writing
Free writing
Free writing — also called stream-of-consciousness writing — is a prewriting technique in which a person writes continuously for a set period of time without regard to spelling, grammar, or topic. It produces raw, often unusable material, but helps writers overcome blocks of apathy and...
, a person will focus on one particular topic and write non-stop about it for a short period of time, in a stream of consciousness fashion.
See also
- CreativityCreativityCreativity refers to the phenomenon whereby a person creates something new that has some kind of value. What counts as "new" may be in reference to the individual creator, or to the society or domain within which the novelty occurs...
- Convergent and divergent productionConvergent and divergent productionConvergent and divergent production are the two types of human response to a set problem that were identified by J.P. Guilford .Guilford observed that most individuals display a preference for either convergent or divergent thinking. Others observe that most people prefer a convergent closure...
- Portal:thinking
External links
- "Changing (Education) Paradigms" by Sir Ken RobinsonSir Ken RobinsonSir Ken Robinson is an author, speaker, and international advisor on education in the arts to government, non-profits, education, and arts bodies...
- video animation by the Royal Society of Arts