Research method this research phase consisted of 71 inperson intercepts in washington dc, san francisco, boston, and north carolina and 16 remote interviews, over the phone and via video. Most of the thinking called for in schools is convergent, as schools require students to gather and remember information and make logical decisions and answers accordingly. By comparison, the thinking skills used in critical. Divergent and convergent thinking skills are both important aspects of intelligence, problem solving and critical thinking. As you can infer, it emphasizes finding the single, optimal solution to a given problem and usually demands thinking at the first or second depth of knowledge dok level. In this sense divergent thinking depends partly on its converse, convergent thinking, which is focused, logical reasoning about ideas and experiences that lead to specific answers. Convergent thinking definition of convergent thinking by. That something still eludes specific definition, but with a renewed apa emphasis on creativity from apa president robert j.
Convergent thinking relates to combining or combining information geared towards problem solving. For example, if scores on a specific form a aggressiveness test are similar to peoples scores on other. Rudn journal of psychology and pedagogics, 2016, 4, 7 15. Convergent thinking, or analytical thought, is quite the opposite. 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. Cognition is the process by which one acquires knowledge through experience, thought and sensory input. The core steps of creative problem solvingdivergent and convergent thinking define a sequence of phases that are common to creativity and engineering. Pdf convergent and divergent thinking in verbal analogy. Convergent thinking is usually contrasted with divergent thinking, which is defined as searching for a variety of relevant solutions to problems that have many possible answers, such as when one is brainstorming for topics to write about for a poem. The term convergent thinking was coined by joy paul guilford in 1956.
Convergent is a form of the word converging and so it means coming together. Convergent thinking definition at, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation. Divergent thinking is an important aspect of creative thinking. Convergent thinking is linear, but divergent thinking stimulates multiple thoughts, leading to multidirectional thinking.
Jan 29, 2018 creative thinking convergent and divergent thinking 1. Convergent thinking is a style of thought that attempts to consider all available information and arrive at the single best possible answer. When a person uses this cognition to integrate various inputs to create an understanding, its called as cognitive thinking. Divergent thinking medical definition merriamwebster. Compare divergent or creative lateral thinking, characterized by unorthodox mental processes but often productive of a number of different and sometimes valuable solutions. Convergent thinking is the ability to apply rules to arrive at a single correct solution to a. Part of it involves being familiar with logic and logical fallacies those bits of false. Convergent thinking medical definition merriamwebster.
Psychology of aesthetics, creativity, and the arts. Convergent thinking and divergent thinking are the polar opposites of each other. This involves also convergent thinking, and thus, both convergent and divergent thinking processes intertwine and cooperate to reach a viable solution of an illdefined problem in a process called. In an abundance of enthusiasm generated postsputnik 1, the convergent style of thinking was rapidly equated with typical intelligence. Miniquiz question adam is a bright young man, who scored very high. Two new books on empathy explore both its drivers and the reasons its on the decline. All formats available for pc, mac, ebook readers and other mobile devices.
Gene balinggan is a registered psychologist, licensed professional teacher, and a freelance academic and. Problem solving technique in which ideas from different fields or participants are brought together synthesized to find a single optimum solution to a clearly defined problem. Valid reasons why divergent thinking is often discouraged in classrooms. But, in order to estimate the impact of design thinking on our field, we need to first determine how ux and design professionals define design thinking. Difference between divergent thinking and convergent thinking. A cognitive process a mode of critical thinking in which a person attempts to find a single, correct answer to a problem. A cognitive process in which a person attempts to find a single, correct answer to a problem. A source book for creative thinking, new york, charles scribners. Methods involved in convergent thinking also involve recognizing the previously tried out techniques and reapplying them along with the readily stored information.
Thinking is an important part of our human experience, and one that has captivated people for centuries. Convergent and divergent thinking writing prompt 1. Buy this book on publishers site reprints and permissions. The divergent thinking aspect, however, was not related to the standard version.
Convergent validity definition psychology glossary. This definition of creative thinking is compatible with the definition of critical thinking being used in this article, differing only in that creative thinking requires the use of unusual strategies or skills. Today, most educational opportunities are tied to ones performance on standardized tests that are often multiple choice in nature. Pdf on jan 1, 2016, todd lubart and others published creativity. Convergent thinking is what you engage in when you answer a multiple choice question. Psychologists have long debated how to best conceptualize and measure intelligence sternberg, 2003. Guilford considered divergent thinking to be a central component of creativity. This means generating lots and lots of options before you evaluate them. Perception in psychology 101 at allpsych online allpsych. The farther our eyes converge, the closer an object appears to be. Analytical thinking that follows a set of rules, as in arithmetic, or in which the logical validity of the thought processes is checked and verified. Jul 19, 2018 convergent thinking involves starting with pieces of information, converging around a solution.
Apr 01, 2011 referential thinking is a common feature of schizophreniaspectrum conditions lenzenweger, et al. Contrary to what is sometimes assumed, both convergent and divergent thinking lead to. The relationship between creativity and critical thinking will depend on the different conceptualizations of the constructs and what aspects of each of the. 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. Define convergent thinking by websters dictionary, wordnet lexical database, dictionary of computing, legal dictionary, medical dictionary, dream dictionary. Creative thinking is the production of unusual and good responses to problems. Define creativity, convergent thinking, divergent thinking and brainstorming identify and describe sternbergs three types of intelligence required for creativity to unlock this lesson you must be. Convergent and divergent thinking in verbal analogy article pdf available in thinking and reasoning 214. Creative thinking convergent and divergent thinking 1. Convergent thinking is a fundamental tool in a childs education. Cognitive abilities like thinking, reasoning and problemsolving may be considered to be some of the chief characteristics which distinguish human beings from other species including the higher animals. Convergent thinking definition psychology glossary. Finally, examples of new ways to measure convergent thinking for creativity are presented.
First the thesis proposes a definition of creativity based on cognitive research, human intuition and. The creative process doesnt always take you directly to the best solution but, by encouraging a variety of possible solutions, new. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Examples of divergent thinking include using brainstorming, free writing and creative thinking at the. Villalba, in reference module in neuroscience and biobehavioral psychology, 2017. Divergent thinking is the process of thinking that explores multiple possible solutions in order to generate creative ideas. Convergent thinking is the exercise of processing multiple pieces of information to arrive at a single piece of information i. Convergent validity refers to the degree to which scores on a test correlate with or are related to scores on other tests that are designed to assess the same construct. Thinking meaning in the cambridge english dictionary.
Convergent thinking definition of convergent thinking at. It enables you to reduce the possibility outcomes or solutions through the use of knowledge and logic. Developing novel and effective solutions to problemsin engineering and in generalinvolves moving through phases of synthesis and analysis, each of which has a unique set of. Pdf free production of variability through unfettered divergent thinking. Apr 07, 20 psychology definition of critical thinking. The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to thought thinking. Divergent thinking, on the other hand, is when a person. Bringing facts and data together from various sources and then applying logic and knowledge to solve problems, achieve objectives or to make informed decisions is known as thinking convergently. Both seem necessary to creative performance, although the degree of each varies. Divergent thinking vs convergent thinking by phil brian recently pointed everyone in the office to the wikipedia article on design thinking. Convergent thinking is a term coined by joy paul guilford as the opposite of divergent thinking.
Creative thinking and idea generation mindset in order to be in any profession you need a set of skills and techniques i. In the convergent thinking process, choice is deliberate and conscious. Creative thinking an overview sciencedirect topics. How convergent and divergent thinking foster creativity.
Divergent thinking is a longer process as compared to convergent thinking. The process of figuring out a concrete solution to any problem is called convergent thinking. For example, in the above bank problem, the entities are account. When a student contemplates the possible answers available, they use convergent thinking to weigh alternatives within a construct. Divergent thinking definition of divergent thinking by the. Threedimensional thinking prevents you from moving into the realm of convergent thought, a form of problemsolving thought. Critical thinking, including definition and examples. The convergent thinking aspect of the invented task wasunsurprisinglyrelated to the standard ravens format. Other articles where convergent theory is discussed. The psychology of creativity is an area of research under intensive study. The secret to creating new ideas is to separate your divergent thinking from your convergent thinking. Divergent thinking involves artistry which is associated with the right brain while convergent thinking encompasses logical reasoning which employs the left brain. Convergence refers to the fact that the closer an object, the more inward our eyes need to turn in order to focus.
Creative thinking convergent and divergent thinking. Thinking that formulates new solutions to problems. Summarize the characteristics of a scientifically valid intelligence test. Binocular cues refer to those depth cues in which both eyes are needed to perceive. This is opposite from divergent thinking in which a person generates many unique, creative responses to a single question or problem. Convergent thinking is a process whereby a person arrives at a single, correct answer. Nov 17, 2017 convergent vs divergent thinking, differences. Introduction to psychology michigan state university. On the other hand, divergent thinking was equated with creativity and both were not uncommonly presented as. Divergent thinking treats all ideas equally divergent thinking is often hard to measure divergent behavior in larger classrooms might cause disruption. Convergent thinking is a term used to describe the process of finding a single best solution to a problem. Define intelligence and list the different types of intelligences psychologists study. In this sense, thinking is inclusive of imagining, recalling, solving problems, free association, daydreaming, concept formation, and a variety of other procedures. Divergent thinking is a concept proposed by american psychologist joy paul guilford in 1967, and refers to the process or ability to generate several novel ideas or solutions to a problem.
Following divergent thinking, ideas and information are organized and structured using convergent thinking, which follows a particular set of logical steps to arrive at one solution, which in some cases is a correct solution. Thinking is manipulating information, as when we form concepts, engage in problem solving, reason and make decisions. Outline the biological and environmental determinants of intelligence. In the past few years, the technologies for the assessment and enhancement of divergent thinking have changed. Divergent thinking, creativity, and giftedness mark a. Up to a point, then, developing students convergent thinkingas schoolwork often does by emphasizing mastery of contentfacilitates students divergent. Convergent thinking at the encyclopedia of psychology 1. Threedimensional thinking provides you with a format with which. To select the best of our divergent options, determine their potential value. A cognitive process in which a person generates many unique, creative responses to a single question or problem. Thinking along threedimensional lines guarantees what is known as divergent thinking.
Divergent thinking tests are often used, though of course they really just estimate the potential for creative thought. The mind is the idea while thinking processes of the brain involved in processing information such as when we form concepts, engage in problem solving, to reason and make decisions. Creativity is the act of turning new and imaginative ideas into reality. Convergent thinking doesnt always involve seeking out new procedures to solve the problem.
When it comes to problem solving and idea generation, two ways are commonly cited, namely divergent and convergent thinking strategies. At certain points in the creative process, thinking and focus needs to shift. Divergent thinking is defined as producing a diverse assortment of. Critical thinking is the process of using reasoning to discern what is true, and what is false, in the phrases and sound bytes we hear everyday. Thought also called thinking is the mental process in which beings form psychological associations and models of the world. How to teach convergent and divergent thinking prodigy. Its extremely critical for all cbse students to practice all assignments which will help them in gaining better marks in examinations.
In this thesis, two different thinking styles were considered as two different types of creativity. Large selection and many more categories to choose from. Understanding convergent and divergent thinking can allow you to consciously use the appropriate thought process to get the best results. Convergent thinking can be used in psychology and is founded on deductive and analytical thinking.
Such brainstorming techniques are used during divergent thinking. This article gives an overview of recent findings and describes thought processes and neuropsychological structures that. Convergent thinking an overview sciencedirect topics. Divergent thinking definition of divergent thinking by. Critical thinking can be seen as part of the more general convergent thinking skills that involve the production of one correct answer.
Convergent thinking questions often require the subject to resolve, explain, identify, or define. Convergent thinking is exactly opposite of what divergent thinking is. Both have sought to explain why a group of people feel and act 1. Criteria are purposefully applied as we screen, select, evaluate, and refine the options, all the. I never thought to go to wikipedia to learn about what we do, but its always good to see what the crowd divergent thinking vs convergent thinking by phil 11 see more. See more ideas about divergent thinking, convergent and divergent thinking, divergent. Other articles where convergent thinking is discussed.
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