Because divergent thinking can be viewed as unconventional thinking. The challenge during divergent thinking is pushing through the initial blockers, blinders, and biases, and resisting the natural inclinations to turn. Jul 19, 2018 divergent thinking, on the other hand, starts with a prompt that encourages students to think critically, diverging towards distinct answers. Gene balinggan is a registered psychologist, licensed professional teacher, and a freelance academic and. Divergent thinking refers to the way the mind generates ideas beyond proscribed expectations and rote thinkingwhat is usually referred to thinking outside the box, and is often associated with creativity. On the other end of the spectrum, convergent thinking involving finding the one right answer. By using divergent thinking, instead of only choosing among appointed options, we search for new options. This book, and its companion volume for younger grades, will help you teach students to reflect upon their own thinking processes and become more successful, active learners. The term convergent thinking was coined by joy paul guilford in 1956. The creative process doesnt always take you directly to the best solution but, by encouraging a variety of possible solutions, new. For instance, in a standardized aptitude test, a convergent thinker might be able to decide the right answer, but the contemplating mind of a divergent thinker might work against him in the situation. Convergent thinking was named as intelligence and divergent thinking as.
Defer judgment deferring judgment isnt the same as having no judgment. The process of figuring out a concrete solution to any problem is called convergent thinking. Divergent thinking definition of divergent thinking by. Divergent thinking is the process of generating multiple ideas to maximize the range of possible solutions, applications, examples, etc.
Guilford and other educators distinguish between convergent and divergent thinking in the following way. Divergent thinking is the opposite of convergent thinking, which involves solving problems through obvious choices only. Convergent tools on the other hand, implies that we take several ideas and put them together in a way they can be related. Similarities between convergent and divergent thinking.
The approach one takes to find the solution to a problem can be categorized into convergent and divergent thinking. Divergent thinking in 3 simple steps is a crisp 12 minute video that explains how we usually think and what it takes to improve the way we think. Interestingly, in the organizational studies, certain aspects of divergent thinking stand out more than in other domains. Evaluative and convergent processes, for example, are particularly important. Synonyms for divergent thinking in english interglot. It is often used in conjunction with its cognitive opposite. Convergent thinking is a cognitive process a mode of critical thinking in which a person attempts to find a single, correct answer to a problem. Every person can be distinguished from the other by the way he thinks. Pdf a study of convergent thinking and divergent thinking.
The name of this test suggests that it is a divergent thinking test, and its acronym tctdp makes it easy to confuse with torrances ttct. How to teach convergent and divergent thinking prodigy. However, it is based on an approach that differs substantially from divergent thinking torrance or divergent production guilforda gestalt 5psychology theory of creativity. 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 multiplechoice tests for intelligence. In one interesting study, they administered their test to groups of 5, 10 and 15 year olds. The concept of convergent thinking requires the design thinker to go through all the possible solutions thought during divergent thinking and come up with a correct solution. Its a straight forward process that focuses on figuring out the most effective answer to a problem. Divergent th inking typically occurs in a spontaneous, freeflowing manner. Convergent thinking requieres a deep analysis of the situation to be able to come up with a solution. Divergent thinking definition of divergent thinking by the. Defining divergent thinking the word divergent is partly defined as tending to be different or develop in different directions.
Combine and build use one idea as a springboard for. When it comes to problem solving and idea generation, two ways are commonly cited, namely divergent and convergent thinking strategies. The results are described in their book break point and beyond. Tests of dt are useful estimates of the potential for creative problem solving. Divergent and convergent thinkingtools laura miralda. This chapter presents the basics of divergent thinking, covering theoretical support and an overview of the different kinds of dt tests and the various scoring methods. In an abundance of enthusiasm generated postsputnik 1, the convergent style of thinking was rapidly equated with typical intelligence. Convergent thinking is a term coined by joy paul guilford as the opposite of divergent thinking. Therefore, the possibilities you generate are often original and unique ideas.
However, it is based on an approach that differs substantially from divergent thinking torrance or divergent production guilforda gestalt 5 psychology theory of creativity. Nov 17, 2017 divergent thinker isnt always able to pinpoint the right answer. Convergent thinking is often used in accordance with divergent thinking. On the other hand, divergent thinking was equated with creativity and both were not uncommonly presented as. No wonder divergent thinking tests are the most commonly used estimates of the potential for creative thought. The goal of divergent thinking is to generate many different ideas about a topic in a. Apr 11, 2016 5 exercises to help boost creativity, divergent thinking where do our best ideas come from. Dec 02, 20 divergent thinking is taken to represent a style of thinking that allows many new ideas being generated, in a context where more than one solution is correct. Divergent or lateral thinking in 3 simple steps youtube. Divergent thinking an overview sciencedirect topics. Convergent stems from the word converge which means come together. This procedure is unorganized and yields unexpected connections. Nov 17, 2017 divergent thinking takes place in a freeflowing manner and is spontaneous, which results in multiple possible solutions in short amount of time. Convergent and divergent thinking the peak performance center.
Four concepts that help to separate creative thinking from the idea of ex. Divergent thinking, also referred to as lateral thinking, is the process of creating multiple, unique ideas or solutions related to a problem that you. We use divergent thinking mostly in openended problems that creativity is a fundamental part williams, 2003. The information and ideas obtained as a result of divergent thinking can be structured using convergent thinking to produce a single. Convergent thinking is exactly opposite of what divergent thinking is. Divergent thinking is the process of thinking that explores multiple possible solutions in order to generate creative ideas.
Comparing the effects of convergent and divergent teaching. Divergent thinking is not synonymous with creative thinking, but the research presented in this volume suggests that divergent thinking is an important component of the creative process. Divergent thinking examples divergent thinking can affect the dance routine by helping linda and dimitri think outside the box for new and better dance routines. Mar 18, 2014 defining divergent thinking the word divergent is partly defined as tending to be different or develop in different directions. As it turns out, science says there are a number of. Brainstorming, free writing, keeping a journal and mindmapping are examples of divergent thinking. Management teaching strategies that hone divergent thinking skills not only makes the classroom environment vibrant but also helps the students. Runco, in handbook of organizational creativity, 2012. Divergent thinking is thinking in unsual ways when trying to solve problems. For example, a topic may have four different branches subtopics, and each of. Creative thinking is both the capacity to combine or synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways and the experience of thinking, reacting, and working in an imaginative way characterized by a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking. It generally resists the accepted ways of doing things and seeks alternatives. Examples of divergent thinking include using brainstorming, free writing and creative thinking at the beginning of the problem solving process to generate possible solutions that can be evaluated later.
Its perfect for going beyond mere memorization to true thinking. Convergent and divergent thinking the peak performance. Once a sufficient number of ideas have been explored, convergent thinking can be used. Combine and build use one idea as a springboard for another. Here, in fact, divergent thinking has been assessed in terms of ideational fluency, that is, the quantity of ideas, and originality, that is, the quality of ideas e. Convergent thinking involves putting a number of different pieces of a topic together to find a single answer. Commonly referred to as the next hunger games leah wilson has compiled together several essays that treat divergent in its own right. Some examples of divergent tools include brainstorming, keeping a journal, freewriting and mind or subject mapping. Divergent thinking is central to the study of individual differences in creativity, but the traditional scoring systems assigning points for infrequent responses and summing the points face well. Moreover, divergent thinking has been found to be a meaningful indicator of creative potential runco and acar, 2012. Convergent thinking stands firmly on logic and less on creativity, while divergent thinking is mostly based on creativity. As it turns out, science says there are a number of ways to help prime the brain for divergent thinking.
The goal of divergent thinking is to focus on a subject, in a freewheeling way, to think of solutions that may not be obvious or predetermined. Divergence and convergence of mental forces of children in. Convergent thinking medical definition merriamwebster. Avoid judging ideas as either bad or good in the divergentthinking phase. Pdf assessing creativity with divergent thinking tasks. The probably best example is a brainstorming session, which has the aim of generating as many ideas on a particular issue as possible. Divergent creative thinking in young and older adults scholars at. Apr 29, 2015 here are two more examples that make the comparison between divergent thinking and convergent thinking clear. Divergent thinking dt is the ability to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions in an effort to find one that works. Convergent and divergent thinking are two opposite ends of a spectrum for cognitive approaches to problem solving. Ensuring that preschoolers receive the correct instruction sets them.
The impact of physical exercise on convergent and divergent. Divergent thinking is a creative process that helps you generate multiple possibilities. Pdf convergent and divergent thinking in verbal analogy. Fuel creativity in the classroom with divergent thinking. Guide children to link the problem to others they have already solved. Across two studies we investigated the relative influences of divergent and convergent thinking as predictors of verbal analogy performance. The terms convergent thinking and divergent thinking were introduced by a psychologist j. Divergent thinking dt plays a critical role in many creative efforts. It typically occurs in a spontaneous, freeflowing, nonlinear manner, such that many ideas are generated in an emergent cognitive fashion. Sep 01, 2016 are you asking if there are any exercises. Observe children as they work in order monitor their problemsolving skills.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Divergent and convergent thinking skills are the important cognitive processes involved in solving problems guilford 1957. In divergent thinking, the individual is free to generate independently their own data within a datapoor situation or to take a new direction or perspective on a. This is opposite from divergent thinking in which a person generates many unique, creative responses. Pdf divergent thinking as an indicator of creative potential. Divergent thinking takes place in a freeflowing manner and is spontaneous, which results in multiple possible solutions in short amount of time. The distinction between these two types of thinking was covered in his psychometric study of human intelligence. Divergent thinking activities can help prime the brain for problem solving as students begin to see the ordinary in new and creative ways. Giving a child a stack of blocks and asking them to see how many shapes they can create with those blocks. The dance performance includes new and creative steps never seen by the judges before. Divergent thinking involves artistry which is associated with the right brain while convergent thinking encompasses logical reasoning which employs the left brain. Divergent thinking is an important aspect of creative thinking. Divergentthinking test an overview sciencedirect topics.
Some intelligence tests and academic achievement tests are good examples of ways to measure convergent thinking. Divergent thinking is a longer process as compared to convergent thinking. As you can see, the prompts in the form of guiding questions are openended and typically require thinking at the third, or even fourth, depth of knowledge level. Divergent thinking is not synonymous with creative thinking, but it does tell us something about the cognitive processes that sometimes lead to original ideas and solutions. Fortunately, critical thinking can be taught and learned. However, he wishes to expend less fuel in his travel for both monetary and conservationassociated reasons. Divergent thinking is taken to represent a style of thinking that allows many new ideas being generated, in a context where more than one solution is correct. Divergent thinking is a thought process or method used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions.
An impressive 98% of 5yearolds scored at the genius level in such a test of divergent thinking. Jun 16, 2017 divergent thinking in 3 simple steps is a crisp 12 minute video that explains how we usually think and what it takes to improve the way we think. I included an example of unconventional thinking in my book, finding meaning 3rd. Knowledge, logic, probabilities and other decision. Give students the opportunity to demonstrate divergent thinking using these activities. Difference between divergent thinking and convergent thinking. Showing a person a photo and asking them to create a caption for the photo. There are many possible examples of divergent thinking. The findings were fully replicated, showing that low risktaking goes with better convergent thinking and risktaking was not significantly correlated with divergent thinking. Convergent and divergent thinking in verbal analogy article pdf available in thinking and reasoning 214.
Using a teaching method at the preschool level may seem trivial to some because youngsters just seem to want to play all the time. Individual differences in convergent and divergent thinking may uniquely explain variation in analogical reasoning ability. All ideas are valid for idea stimulation in divergent thinking. Divergent thinking is the process of thinking that explores multiple possible solutions in order to generate creative ideas its a straight forward process that focuses on figuring out the most effective answer. Study 2 was an online survey study that replicated study 1 and extended the measures to include selfrated risk and a measure of divergent thinking the alternate uses task. Divergent thinking seeks to generate multiple possible answers to problems from multiple perspectives. The deductive reasoning sherlock holmes used in solving mysteries is a good example of.
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