What is divergent thinking?

What Does Divergent thinking Mean

We explain what divergent thinking is and what its objectives are. Also, the origin of this method and how to promote it.

Divergent thinking is considered the most traditional, structured and rational.

What is divergent thinking?

Divergent thinking or lateral thinking is that process or method of thinking that the brain uses to generate creative ideas by exploring all possible solutions on how to face each circumstance.

This process occurs in people spontaneously and quickly , because all ideas are generated in a small amount of time and are usually linked together to streamline the process and draw the possibilities in our minds. In turn, this type of thinking is considered the most traditional, structured and rational.

Divergent thinking stands out as it arises from the stimuli it receives and not from the facts . By having this basis, the possibility arises for different trajectories and, therefore, different conclusions to occur .

To explain it in an even simpler way, we can say that the mind from a single stimulus (questions or conflict situations, for example) will be born different ideas that will be analyzed to decide which is the most successful.

Then, this branch of thought will work together with convergent thinking, whose function is to follow a certain number of logical steps in order to reach a conclusion.

See also: Critical thinking

Goals of divergent thinking

Divergent thinking improves and increases creative capacity.

The main objective of divergent thinking is to be able to analyze the different points of view of the same problem , modify their thinking habits and keep them always changing and, in addition, multiply the number of ideas that we are capable of producing based on a problem or stimulus presented to us.

However, not only by developing divergent thinking will we be able to improve and increase our creativity ; you also need to develop mental flexibility.

Origin of divergent thinking

Divergent thinking is considered to emerge in the Renaissance and is considered to be the dominant type of thinking in Modernity , because it is the strategy used by artists, scientists and politicians alike.

Regarding the use that is given in science , it is essential that this way of thinking is used because it is important that in the investigations each step that they carry out is analyzed and reviewed in an adequate and detailed way.

Today, despite the fact that this method is recognized by specialists, in schools and in any field of education there is still a fairly traditional way of teaching and learning. That is, the exercises and problems to be carried out in the different subjects only have a single correct solution and if they find an alternative or different solution to the one established, they are scored with a bad score.

The reason why education is this way is because it was decided to develop the logical deduction capacity of the students. However, in some countries new methods are developed and implemented in schools to encourage the development of divergent thinking and their creativity . These new forms of evaluation are intended to increase, and thus reward, the ability to think differently.

Convergent thinking

Convergent thinking reduces the ability to develop creativity.

Unlike divergent thinking, convergent thinking states that the only way to solve or face a problem is by following certain previously determined steps .

However, the defenders of this method are criticized that in this way there will only be one way to solve the problems and, therefore, only one way to draw conclusions.

In turn, this method reduces the ability to develop creativity because it limits the possibility of innovating and creating new possible solutions or ideas.

How to promote divergent thinking?

There are several ways to exercise divergent thinking in order to increase our creativity and the ability to analyze conflicts more deeply and with more options when deciding what to do.

For example, some activities that we can carry out to promote this method is to create a list of questions to be able to think and reflect based on them. Concept maps , networks, and a free writing routine may also be possible options for exercising this way of thinking.

Free writing consists of focusing on a particular topic and beginning to write about it in a short time stipulated in order to exercise our conscience.

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