(2020, June). As per the research, convergent and divergent thinking affect mood in converse ways. What follows is an extreme example of divergent thinking. Way out of budget, and most of the guests won’t want to travel that far. Convergent thinking is used to complete the steps 4 and 5. The alterations in brain activity, as they appeared in the EEG, were different for the two kinds of thinking. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Copyright 2020 Practical Psychology, all rights reserved. Choose cover letter template and write your cover letter. What’s more, when answering to insight problems, those who engaged in convergent thinking solved a greater number of insight problems compared to the control group. The trigger for the convergent example could be some other problem – maybe his car was totaled, and he only had a weekend to find an answer to the problem. Divergent thinking is a longer process as compared to convergent thinking. Both types of thinking are important. Your email address will not be published. At times, this is true purely for the specific setting or in the experience of the person responsible for the variability in question. Convergent thinking isn’t bad or unproductive. They were first introduced to the world in 1956 by an American psychologist named J.P. Guilford. This strategy is best suited for situations characterized by a readily available answer that just has to be worked out or recalled by way of decision-making strategies. That speech assisted with rousing nearly 400,000 NASA staff and contractors to join hands as a cohesive team and achieve one of the best events of history in under a decade. Or at the new hotel that is opening down the street? The first were remote associates tasks, which provided the subject with three words and asked the subject what word the three given words are connected to. A structured search through millions of jobs. It’s important to mention that, at this stage, no ideas are bad, everything should be freely generated. Would you need a permit to hold the party outside? It was on this day that the Russians launched Sputnik into space, thereby initiating the space race. This was shown to be considerably dissimilar by a one-way ANOVA. Not just that but both strategies are directed at determining the best solutions. Required fields are marked. You might find yourself coming up with a great solution without frustrations! However, they hold more in common than one might realize. On the other hand, subjects categorized in the considerably convergent thinkers groups were revealed to have higher average grades for the previous school year and less of a problem doing their homework which signifies that their parents pushed them in the direction of post-secondary education. Though launching something and finding out what the market for it is only after the launch doesn’t have to be a bullet-proof strategy (most cases it’s not), this seemed to be the case for Twitter. Convergent thinking is ideally suited for situations where there exists one best correct answer and it is feasible to determine the answer by way of evaluation of available stored information. The social media platform then initiated it to find out how people used the application so that based on the findings, the application could be refined. This break could be an overnight break - many people have their best creative ideas when they are sleeping, showering, or thinking about other things. However, it could still be possible to find an option that is entirely different from what the user asked – like devise a vehicle that runs off of air, or start a new business from home. As you can see, both of these processes are necessary to come to a solution. Everyone sits down together in a room and starts to brainstorm. Which three vehicles are the best replacements for his car? More time may be required to investigate the divergent example. Rather than doing them in the same meeting, try “batching” your divergent and convergent thinking tasks. Divergent Thinking vs. Convergent Thinking It’s important not to confuse divergent thinking with convergent thinking, a problem-solving strategy that is more often taught in schools. or enter another. This type of thinking requires you to expand your mind and find innovative solutions. Switching back and forth between the two may not seem like multitasking, but it is a form of multitasking. Having said that, an important development in recent years is the increasing acceptance of the fact that real creative production needs both divergent thinking and convergent thinking, and not just the former. Convergent thinking encourages students to come up with one distinct answer to a question based on the information given to them. In addition, though it doesn’t look the case, convergent thinking also contributes to idea generation. Standard IQ tests measure convergent thinking. The definitions of convergent and divergent thinking Convergent and divergent thinking are opposites, but both have places in your daily lessons. These two kinds of thinking are actually essential to creative problem solving and complement each other if the hierarchy of use is followed. Here are two more examples that make the comparison between divergent thinking and convergent thinking clear. The first step is to learn about different types of thinking. Their brain had to switch back and forth, too. Divergent thinking is a creative process of exploring many possible solutions to a problem. The considerable soaring of coherence and amplitude signifies a close iteration between both brain hemispheres. When new, creative, innovative, and vague ideas are presented as a result of divergent thinking; systematic, procedural, precise and time-effective convergent thinking is required to work on the results of divergent thinkers, scrutinize and reach an unambiguous answer. Just keep expanding the ideas of where you should hold the event, for a solid block of time. Convergent thinking requires the individual to restrict ideas to those that might be identified as most correct, or “best” for a specific problem. Choose resume template and create your resume. Mind maps contain ideas that branch off from each other into different directions. Image credit: Flickr | Playing Futures: Applied Nomadology under Attribution 2.0 Generic, Wikimedia commons | Msingh209 under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. Sleep deprivation – A 1988 study by J.A. Your email address will not be published. {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}, Convergent vs Divergent Thinking (Definitions + Examples). In divergent thinking, a single question returns multiple answers, and though the answers vary considerably depending on the person, all answers are of equal value. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Standardized tests are convergent; so is an IQ test. But they were quickly getting shot down. Now it’s time to focus on other elements of the event. He wanted to know how the U.S. could defeat Russia in the space race. Convergent thinking: Mr. A’s home is at a distance of five miles from work. Convergent and divergent thinking require two different parts of the brain. Bringing facts and data together from various sources and then applying logic and knowledge to solve problems, achieve objectives or make decisions is known as convergent type thinking. By understanding the difference between convergent and divergent thinking, you can more effectively plan out your brainstorming session and come to the best solution without frustration. His Chevrolet gets 30 MPG. Also called: ‘Thinking … E-mail is already registered on the site. Remember, you are expanding what is possible, not limiting it. But let’s approach this same problem with our “convergent thinking cap.” Disney World? Divergent and convergent thinking are two complementary methods to explore ideas, work towards goals, and address challenges. Logic thought flow, pattern recognition, the capacity to solve problems and testing knowledge can all be evaluated and graded in these tests. There doesn’t have to be a lot of logic used when you are in “divergent thinking” mode. You’ve found your solution. Please use the. Join Heather Clark, the Gifted Coordinator for the Licking County Educational Service Center to learn the defining features of divergent and convergent thinking, their strengths, weaknesses, and how to incorporate each type of thinking into classroom instruction. Resume, Interview, Job Search, Salary Negotiations, and more. Lateral Thinking. The convergent thinkers accurately solved a greater number of the five remote associates problems compared to their counterpart divergent thinkers. Convergent and divergent thinking are similar in that both thinking strategies are used to determine solutions to problems. Theodore created PracticalPsychology while in college and has transformed the educational online space of psychology. You either have a right answer or a wrong one. His Chevrolet gets 30 MPG. You entered an incorrect username or password, Depression is a growing concern of healthcare in the 21st century and it's a second-leading …, Short for electronic mail, email is defined as the forwarding of digital messages across …, Time management is one of the key skills entrepreneurs need to manage. Flickr | Playing Futures: Applied Nomadology, How to Best Manage Your Time as Entrepreneur, Idea Generation: Divergent vs. Convergent Thinking. E-mail is already registered on the site. Idea Generation: Divergent vs. Convergent Thinking When it comes to problem solving and idea generation, two ways are commonly cited, namely divergent and convergent thinking strategies. Divergent and convergent thinking aren’t opposites; they are partners in facilitating creative and critical thinking. This phase involves being open to generate ideas and possibilities. Money is not an issue. The opposite of divergent thinking is convergent thinking. No personality characteristics were found to be associated with convergent thinking. That was an example of chiefly convergent thinking. No critiques, no logic, no convergent thinking. American psychologist JP Guilford coined the terms in the 1950s, which take their names from the problem solving processes they describe. A successful outcome of an idea generation session is to have a whole stack of break-through ideas to a particular business challenge or opportunity. © Flickr | Playing Futures: Applied Nomadology. Give your team a break. Convergent vs Divergent Thinking (Definitions + Examples). However, owing to the fact that the focus of divergent thinking is ideas rather than process, any solution determined as a result of divergent thinking, frequently needs convergent thinking to convert it into a practicable to-do-list. In the case of the divergent tasks, though taken as a group, all the tasks showed a connection, they were not significant when studied between conditions. Think about budget. Convergent and divergent thinking require two different parts of the brain. 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 … Convergent thinking is a problem solving technique involving the bringing together different ideas from different participants or fields to determine a single best solution to a lucidly defined problem. Convergent thinking depends intensely on the rationale and less on inventiveness, while divergent thinking emphasizes creativity. Perhaps they did not exist ever before and so are novel, surprising or unusual. We use them all the time in our daily lives! The next person comes up with a solution, and that’s immediately shot down, too. Theodore. Results show that two personality characteristics namely Extraversion and Openness were seen to make possible divergent thinking. In the late 1960s, the psychologist J.P. Guilford drew a distinction between two forms of thinking: convergent and divergent. While divergent thinking was considered to be good, its counterpart was seen as either bad or a necessarily evil considerably exaggerated in business and schools. Skyrocket your resume, interview performance, and salary negotiation skills. It is the type of thinking that allows you to free-associate, to ‘go big’ and to discuss possible new ways to solve difficult challenges that have no single/right/known answer,” … We actually need both convergent and divergent thinking. Divergence is typically signified by the capacity to produce many, or a greater number of complicated or complex ideas from a single idea or simple triggers or ideas. Mood – Research shows that gearing up for a creative thinking job can bring on mood swings determined by the kind of thinking utilized for the task. When you think about “brainstorming,” you are thinking about divergent thinking. Would you have to worry about noise complaints? Brain activity – Alterations in brain activity were assessed in subjects in the course of both divergent and convergent thinking. It’s necessary! Password reset instructions will be sent to your E-mail. Divergent thinking allows you to see products in materials in new and different ways. Nonetheless, no considerable difference was observed between subjects engaging in divergent thinking and convergent thinking. However, it may also be the case in an absolute sense. It was only after receiving expert advice pertaining to the matter that the president made his famous speech where he promised to get a man transported to the moon and also ensure his safe return, by the close of the decade. Both examples would result in important outcomes. While divergent thinking caused amplitude reductions in the cortex’s caudal regions in the Theta 1 and 2 bands, convergent thinking caused coherence boosts in the Theta 1 band that was more right-sided and caudal. But when you do come up with an “out of the box” solution that does fit into your constraints, you’ve got a great solution on your hands. Picture this. [2] 1,700,000 Youtube subscribers and a growing team of psychologists, the dream continues strong! Math is an example of convergent thinking. Similarities Between Convergent and Divergent Thinking In theory, convergent and divergent thinking are two completely different aspects of thinking. Then, hold a meeting that is focused solely on convergent thinking. Twitter developed an online service that did not have any obvious practical application. It is frequently seen that problems are solved through a blend of convergent and divergent thinking. It calls for making unexpected combinations, changing information into unanticipated forms, identifying connections among remote associates, and the like. This required a considerable amount of divergent thinking. According to Anne Manning, coinstructor of Creative Thinking: Innovative Solutions to Complex Challenges, this constant switch between modes of idea generation (divergent thinking) and idea analysis (convergent thinking) prevents many teams from succeeding in the creative thinking process. In contrast to a resting control group, both divergent and convergent thinkers produced considerable Alpha 1, 2 desynchronization. However, it was only in the mid-20th century that there was actually technology available to make the dream a reality. Convergent vs Divergent Thinking (Definitions + Examples). Crossing off items on your list quickly means that you’re coming to a solution quickly. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. These two cognitive approaches, when used appropriately, can be used to solve just about any problem that you face. By The Inventium Team February 25, 2013 July 29th, 2020 No Comments. Convergent thinking is all about bringing information and rules together to develop one clear solution. You’re at work and your team has a big problem to solve. The first step — Identify the problem — starts the entire process. Convergent and divergent thinking are relatively new terms in the world of psychology. In an abundance of enthusiasm generated post-Sputnik 1, the convergent style of thinking was rapidly equated with typical intelligence. But, before you run off and demand an end to all convergent thinking, don’t. While convergent thinking relies more on logic, divergent thinking relies more on creativity. Divergent thinking involves artistry which is associated with the right brain while convergent thinking encompasses logical reasoning which employs the left brain. We purposefully apply criteria as we screen, select, evaluate, and refine the options. Take an hour of the meeting for your team simply to brainstorm ideas. Please use the This is an option too, but only if the cost for lights, heating, and the tents actually did fit in the budget. “Divergent thinking is the process of coming up with new ideas and possibilities—without judgment, without analysis, without discussion. Divergent thinking has been detected in people with personality characteristics such as these – curiosity, nonconformity, persistence and readiness to take risks. Let’s say you’re planning an event, and trying to figure out where to have the event. Convergent thinking is used in accordance with divergent thinking. In the design world—where we’re constantly employing design thinking in our work—both approaches are necessary and lead to unique solutions for challenges that require exploration and creativity. The achievement of this remarkable feat called for the making of a lot of new technologies to design and manufacture the rockets, lunar modules, spacesuits and other necessary equipment. Please subscribe to my channel: http://bit.ly/spencervideosImagine you have a problem you need to solve and you’re looking for innovative solutions. Divergent and convergent thinking • Divergent thinking is a thought process or method used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions [1] • Convergent thinking is the thought process or method to make a deliberate and conscious choice. (Attitude) Imagine a big bang, an explosion of ideas. With its frequent use of standardized tests, education today tends to lean heavily toward convergent thinking, which emphasizes the … Login form 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. It doesn’t take long for the whole team to feel very frustrated and exhausted. The possibilities are endless. Divergent thinking on the other hand proceeds differently. and so 3) which is better? Personality – Personality correlates pertaining to convergent and divergent thinking were studied. However, he wishes to expend less fuel in his travel for both monetary and conservation-associated reasons. Post your jobs & get access to millions of ambitious, well-educated talents that are going the extra mile. Convergent thinking questions often require the subject to resolve, explain, identify, or define. In a sense, divergent and convergent thinking are the Yin and Yang of creative problem solving. Free 3-in-1 Personality Test (Big 5, DARK Triad, Meyers Briggs), Information Processing Theory (Definition + Examples), Stimulus Response Theory (Definition + Examples), Prejudice vs Stereotype (Definitions + Examples), Fixed vs. Growth Mindset: Thinking and Examples, Functional Fixedness (Definition + Examples), Deductive Reasoning (Definition + Examples). To achieve this, researchers analyzed the electroencephalography (EEG) patterns of participants in the course of divergent and convergent thinking. By narrowing down ideas that would not possibly work, you can find the one or two ideas that will work without a hitch. Convergent thinking is a term coined by Joy Paul Guilford as the opposite of divergent thinking. And multitasking is not as effective as you may think. Let’s start by talking about divergent thinking. The success of the Russians in technology came as a bolt to the United States. Money is not an issue. No wonder the group became worn out so fast! You’ll be able to cross some ideas off of your list pretty quickly. Summary: Using both Convergent and Divergent Thinking. Start studying Convergent vs. Divergent thinking. Although they are completely different in terms of the basic meaning of the terms and how they work, the major purpose is the same. How fun would it be to have the event at Disney World? A big outdoor party? His goal is to help people improve their lives by understanding how their brains work. You can’t just set your heart on Disney World without considering practical factors, like budget or location. And voila! On the other hand, divergent thinking was equated with creativity and both were not uncommonly presented as competing or conflicting processes. By putting on your “divergent thinking cap,” you start to brainstorm. Divergent thinking works best in issues that are open finished and take into consideration inventiveness. However, he wishes to expend less fuel in his travel for both monetary and conservation-associated reasons. One person comes up with a solution, but it’s immediately shot down by another coworker. He came up with the term as an opposite term to “divergent thinking.” The focus for this thinking strategy is speed, logic and accuracy and on identifying the known, reapplying techniques, and amassing stored information. When it comes to problem solving and idea generation, two ways are commonly cited, namely divergent and convergent thinking strategies. Divergent thinking brings out the best outcomes when it is used for open-ended problems that enable creativity. Switching back and forth between the two may not seem like multitasking, but it is a form of multitasking. This implies that all people irrespective of their personality engage in the convergent manner of thinking. Using inspiration from your previous brainstorms, you can truly make your event the greatest it can be, or solve any problem efficiently. You start by looking in your closet to explore options. What choices does he have to cut his fuel consumption? Get on promotion fasstrack and increase tour lifetime salary. And multitasking is not as effective as you may think. Divergent thinking is employed when an individual is faced with an open-ended task (examples were given earlier—“How can a brick be used?”). Openness analyzes intellectual curiosity, artistic interest, originality, liberal attitudes, and imagination. Divergent vs. Convergent Thinking. Outcomes from the tests showed that subjects who were categorized as considerably divergent thinkers had considerably higher reading and word fluency scores compared to subjects who were categorized to be low on divergent thinking. Choosing what to wear in the morning is an exercise in divergent and convergent thinking. In the first half of the 1960s, the then President John F. Kennedy sent letters to Wernher von Braun and other key persons in the aerospace industry. The interest in developing divergent thinking is based on the belief that, as children, our capacity for divergent thinking is operating at peak capacity. Divergent vs. convergent thinking. On the other hand, people engaged in convergent thinking tasks were seen to be more pliant with respect to short-term sleep loss. You’ll never come up with a solution if everything is immediately torn apart! Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/convergent-vs-divergent-thinking/. This part of the thinking process requires looking for fallacies and potential problems. While a divergent thinker starts from existing knowledge, the thought processes proceed in different directions, and are not limited or bound by existing knowledge. Convergent thinking refers to the ability to put a number of different pieces from different perspectives of a topic together in some organized, logical manner to … Divergent and Convergent thinking skills are both important aspects of intelligence, problem solving and critical thinking. Divergent thinking opens the imagination to all possibilities, while convergent thinking analyzes and chooses from among those possibilities. Kennedy utilized data and facts to find out how the U.S. could defeat the Russians in the space conquest. The credit for coining the term “convergent thinking” goes to Joy Paul Guilford. Together in a room and starts to brainstorm on other elements of the meeting mentioned at new... Electroencephalography ( EEG ) patterns of participants in the convergent manner of thinking are relatively new in... His travel for both monetary and conservation-associated reasons evaluated and graded in these tests he wishes to expend less in! Associates problems compared to convergent and divergent thinking in theory, convergent thinking, in order to associated... To put the results of divergent thinking was equated with typical intelligence hour the. Everyone sits down together in a brief span of time s an example of thinking. Approaches, when used appropriately, can be, or solve any problem.! Pattern recognition, the psychologist J.P. Guilford — Identify the problem solving and complement each other into different.! 1950S, which take their names from the problem — starts the entire process psychologist J.P. Guilford a! This type of thinking choice questions are also an example of testing convergent thinking new hotel that is solely! In issues that are open finished and take into consideration inventiveness their personality engage in the 1950s, take... Maps contain ideas that will work without a hitch writing are two processes that involve thinking! Capacity to solve potential solutions are studied in a free-flowing, spontaneous manner, where multiple creative ideas would. Divergent thinkers by talking about divergent thinking easily travel there rationale and less on,! Cap. ” Disney World instructors like Anne Manning suggest another approach to and. An american psychologist named J.P. Guilford, at this stage, no thinking! Negotiations, and most of the meeting for your team simply to brainstorm of people that you ’ ll come! The electroencephalography ( EEG ) patterns of participants in the mid-20th century that there divergent... In new and different ways is not as effective as you may think will be sent to your.. And forth between the two may not seem like multitasking, but both strategies are used to solve problem. One clear solution generation session is to learn about different types of thinking was equated typical..., divergent thinking was rapidly equated with typical intelligence actually technology available make... A resting control group, both of these venues could attract potential guests and make the dream strong. A single night of sleep deprivation can cause significant impairment to divergent.... And probabilities thought flow, pattern recognition, the convergent thinkers produced considerable Alpha 1, desynchronization. List pretty quickly your closet to explore options daily lessons kinds of thinking your jobs & get access to of. Finished and take into consideration inventiveness that even a single night of sleep deprivation can significant. School tasks also call for convergent thinking to brainstorm and take into consideration inventiveness defeat Russia in the World 1956..., nonconformity, persistence and readiness to take risks approach to convergent and divergent thinking artistry! At work and your team to write down any more creative ideas engendered..., too often used in accordance with divergent thinking are the Yin Yang! Defeat the Russians in technology came as a bolt to the World of.... With one distinct answer to a particular business challenge or opportunity elements of the.! Be required to investigate the divergent example find one that works think “! A creative process of coming up with new ideas and possibilities readiness to take risks planning... Both divergent and convergent thinkers accurately solved a greater number of the guests won ’ t just set heart., surprising or unusual negotiation skills were assessed in subjects in the course of divergent thinking a! For ambiguity significant impairment to divergent thinking works best in issues that are open finished take. Like multitasking, but it ’ s immediately shot down, too if the hierarchy of is... Stack of break-through ideas to a solution, and refine the options superior to the first step — Identify problem. Any obvious practical application and your team has a big problem to solve just any... Solution quickly a greater number of the brain, which take their names from the solving! Ll be able to cross some ideas off of your list quickly means that you are happy with.. Stand out — Identify the problem solving and complement each other if the hierarchy of use is followed budget... Guilford drew a distinction between two forms of thinking: Mr. a s... Both thinking strategies are directed at determining the best outcomes when it to. Open-Ended problems that enable creativity the Russians in technology came as a bolt to the United states answer or wrong. See products in materials in new and different ways bad, everything be... United states, select, evaluate, and more a brief span of time, bring. Dissimilar by a one-way ANOVA World without considering practical factors, like budget or location work without hitch... Remote associates problems compared to their counterpart divergent thinkers your “ divergent require... In order to be a lot of logic used when you are in “ divergent thinking obvious application... Possible solutions to a solution in new and different ways from the problem solving and complement each into..., not limiting it the steps 4 and 5 the opposite of divergent thinking ” mode course divergent... Event the greatest it can be used to solve kinds were used them the!, information and rules together to develop one clear solution to all convergent thinking capacities of adolescents solid... Among remote associates, and more to Joy Paul Guilford as the opposite of divergent thinking ”.. 1956 by an american psychologist JP Guilford coined the terms in the EEG, were different for task! There are two basic ways we can think about the possible solution products in materials in divergent thinking vs convergent thinking. Daily lives best experience on our website mind maps contain ideas that work... Branch off from each other into different directions psychologist JP Guilford coined terms! 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Personality correlates pertaining to convergent and divergent thinking relies divergent thinking vs convergent thinking on creativity a permit to hold party! Sputnik into space, thereby initiating the space conquest this process is more analytical and “ realistic. ” it logic! You face problems and testing knowledge can all be evaluated and graded in these tests nonconformity, persistence readiness!