There are several major thinking patterns that drive the way we acknowledge, interact with, and understand the world as humans. Two key thinking patterns that we’re going to discuss and compare today are divergent thinking and lateral thinking.
While lateral (horizontal) thinking involves moving beyond logical or straightforward deductive reasoning to find solutions to problems. On the other hand, divergent thinking involves allowing ideas to flow spontaneously to generate creative ideas and explore many different solutions.
Today, we’ll be exploring the key aspects involved in both divergent thinking and lateral thinking processes. Pay attention as we give examples of each thinking process, talk about the benefits of each one, and highlight the ways you can determine if you meet the criteria of one of them. Now, let’s dive in!
Overview
Below, we’ll explore the following topics in more depth:
- Key aspects of divergent thinking
- What is an example of divergent thinking?
- What are divergent thinkers good at?
- How do you know if you are a divergent thinker?
- Can divergent thinking be taught?
- Key aspects of lateral thinking
- What is an example of lateral thinking?
- What is the opposite of a lateral thinker?
- What are lateral thinkers good at?
- How do you know if you are a lateral thinker?
- Can lateral thinking be taught?
Key Aspects of Divergent Thinking
The following are all important parts and strategies involved with thinking divergently:
- Spontaneous thinking
- Risk-taking
- Generating many ideas quickly
- Drawing unexpected connections between ideas
- Nonconformity
- Curiosity
- Open-mindedness
- Persistence
Divergent thinking, in its essence, is when thoughts lead in various different directions (hence the word “divergent”). Divergent thinking may lead to creative solutions, but it may also lead to conventional solutions.
Divergent thinking is distinct from convergent thinking in that it allows thoughts to flow in a non-linear fashion. Divergent thinking also lacks the structure and organization that other thinking methods, like convergent thinking, can supplement.
What is an example of divergent thinking?
One example of divergent thinking in action is taking a problem and free writing for 10 minutes whatever comes to mind that could be a helpful solution. By not limiting your thought process to merely the “logical” next steps, you can follow your thoughts towards more innovative ideas.
What are divergent thinkers good at?
Divergent thinkers are great at:
- Finding innovative solutions
- Landing on breakthrough possibilities
- Finding many different effective approaches
Because of this versatility, divergent thinkers tend to be good marketers, managers, and designers.
How do you know if you are a divergent thinker?
You may be a divergent thinker if you prefer to let your thoughts carry you. This style of free thinking allows new ideas to emerge, rather than requiring one to take a step-by-step path to get to them.
When you sit down and ponder different things, they may often lead you to creative ends.
Can divergent thinking be taught?
If you are mainly taught the critical thinking method in school and aren’t sure how to think divergently, you can of course learn. Start by practicing different divergent thinking techniques, including bubble-mapping, free writing, brainstorming, and even certain forms of meditation.
Key Aspects of Lateral Thinking
The following are all important parts and strategies involved with thinking laterally:
- Thinking creatively
- Moving beyond logical reasoning
- Finding alternative solutions to problems
- Being inquisitive
- Being curious
- Being aware of thought patterns
- Challenging old thought patterns
Lateral thinking is basically a thought process that says traditional, step-by-step logic is not enough to solve problems. The key distinguishing feature of this thought process is the willful awareness of current and past thought patterns, along with the move towards new ones.
It was coined and described by a psychologist named Edward de Bono in the 1960s and is notably different from the vertical thinking problem-solving process. It’s also notably different from critical thinking.
What is an example of lateral thinking?
One common example of lateral thinking is a method of challenging thought patterns known as “disproving”. This method of lateral thinking involves taking an idea that is considered, by most people, to be the “right” view.
By challenging yourself to draw on curiosity, ask questions, and set traditional logic aside, you can attempt to disprove this view in a convincing way.
Another example of lateral thinking would be “random entry idea generation”. This method of lateral thinking is basically a way of arriving at new and creative ideas. You take a word or word phrase and link it to something else.
What is the opposite of a lateral thinker?
A vertical thinker is typically considered the opposite of a lateral thinker, although both methods require deeper than surface level thought patterns.
While vertical thinking is ordered and sequential, lateral thinking is more imaginative and motivated by taking risks with ideas. Vertical thinking is much more grounded in given facts and information than lateral thinking is.
What are lateral thinkers good at?
Lateral thinkers are generally good at generating new ideas and concepts, remaining cautious and conservative in the face of “known” things, and finding indirect solutions to issues. These skills make lateral thinkers good candidates for jobs in design, technology, and science fields.
How do you know if you are a lateral thinker?
You may be a lateral thinker if you are constantly questioning old ways of thinking about things. Perhaps you don’t like to take information as a given and wish to disprove points of view before you are willing to latch onto them.
You might also be a lateral thinker if you generally think outside the box when approaching projects or problems (or if you discard the box altogether).
Can lateral thinking be taught?
Although you may not naturally use lateral thinking methods, you can definitely learn to think this way. You can be trained by practicing specific techniques, such as movement techniques, provocation idea generation, concept formation, and fractionation.
Final Thoughts
Divergent thinking is a process of using free-flowing thoughts to arrive at innovative solutions, while lateral thinking entails challenging old thought patterns and following new ones to get creative answers.
While both thinking patterns have the potential to take one off the beaten path, they differ in slight ways.
References
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/lateral-thinking
3 Modes Of Thinking: Lateral, Divergent & Convergent Thought
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/divergent-thinking
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateral_thinking
