The human being lives different situations throughout his existence. Some decisions are not easy to make from the perspective of reality itself. Faced with a reductionist view of this issue, it is possible to integrate creativity as a means to resolve this issue. Lateral thinking leads to this purpose that allows human beings to reach a conclusion through their own methodology. In Psychology-Online, we reflect on the nature of this term formulated by Edward de Bono that shows a different way to get to the main point in problem solving by adding the imagination. In this article we reflect on this topic: Edward de bono and lateral thinking.
Edward De Bono, a medical graduate and specialist in Psychology, was born in Malta in 1933. He is the author of reference books. In "Creative thinking" he delves into the essence of lateral thinking as a means of innovation to develop new proposals. The lateral thinking or divergent thinking it reflects a different look at reality, a vision that breaks with the scheme of foreseeable logic to go deeper than this aspect.
Faced with the analytical interpretation of reality, the creativity it is the basis of progress in the present and in the future. Therefore, this ingenuity represents the vision of a new paradigm from which to visualize new paths.
The importance of this vision is vital, for example, in the entrepreneurial spirit. A mission that starts from an attitude that is anchored in this logic that, in turn, complements logical reasoning. Vertical thinking is one that is structured on the basis of logic. On the contrary, creative thinking is flexible.
Why is it so important to observe different life situations from this point of view of ingenuity? Because, through this prism, you can interpret a question from different angles. And thanks to this, through the reinforcement of the experience, you increase your level of empowerment to conclude a novel response.
Edward de Bono is the author of several reference books. Here is a selection of titles and works by this author that may interest you:
- Six Thinking Hats. This particular work is a guide that can propel the reader in the direction of having a greater perspective on life-related issues. That is, this learning can be practiced on a day-to-day basis.
- Wisdom Manual. This is another title that you can find in bookstores and highlights an inspiring concept: wisdom. To achieve this end, the reader can discover means and resources that lead him in this direction of creativity.
- Six pairs of shoes for action. In this book by Edward de Bono, the reader can find "a solution for every problem and an approach for every solution". The content of this work takes action as its main objective.
- Practical lateral thinking. This work reflects on this theme as an introduction to the definition, essence and practice of lateral thinking.
- Ideas for professionals who think. In this work by Edward de Bono you can find information with a perspective especially linked to the field business, one of the scenarios that has integrated the potential of lateral thinking as an expression of creativity.
- Simplicity. In this book, the gaze of simplicity, as opposed to the perspective of the complex, describes a philosophy of life through which the human being can shed the burden of complications unnecessary.
Here are 4 divergent or lateral thinking exercises that you can use to practice and develop creative thinking:
- The drawing. The exercise of drawing allows to shape the very essence of lateral thinking, putting visual information in value.
- Division. Through this exercise of division into smaller sections that make up the main issue, it is possible to delve into this question from the point of view of the particular and the totality, observing the different possibilities from the elements that are part of the situation.
- Analogies. This technique allows link two options different with some common characteristic through this formulation of lateral thinking.
- Theory of the six hats. Each hat, of a different color, represents a perspective of thought. Therefore, from each point of view, the same issue can be observed differently. Metaphorically, a person can feel how his reality changes depending on the hat he is wearing at the time.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
