Divergent & Convergent Thinking

Study Skill 1.5 Divergent & Convergent Thinking

Introduction

When asked to think of all possible solutions to a problem, known as divergent thinking, kindergarteners typically score much higher than high schoolers.  Think about that!  With almost any other skill we improve as we get older but with divergent thinking we actually tend to regress. We get less creative as we’re encouraged more and more to arrive at a ‘right’ answer to a particular question. This is otherwise known as convergent thinking  There’s good reason – there are certain things we must learn how to do and certain facts we must learn to agree on.  However, as we age and solve more complex problems, we must learn to bring back that creativity that came so naturally as children.  After all, one of the most valued traits today is creativity or innovation.

Watch

• Convergent vs. Divergent Thinking - Harvard Ed: https://goo.gl/HTpUiA Links to an external site.  (YT 3:30)

Visit

• • Cleverism Article: "Idea Generation: Divergent vs. Convergent Thinking" https://goo.gl/gw9pk8 Links to an external site.
  • Links to an external site.Psychology Today Article: "What Type of Thinker Are You?"  https://goo.gl/g3Au2k Links to an external site.

Key Ideas

• The older we get, the less likely that we will be asked to do things at school or at work where there is one possible solution and one possible way to arrive at that solution.  More complex problems require more complex thinking
• To solve more complex problems in creative ways, we need both divergent thinking and convergent thinking.
• Divergent Thinking: The process of generating as many different ideas or possible solutions to a single question or topic
• Convergent Thinking:  The ability to arrive at one possible or best answer to a question or topic.

Apply

• Group Activity: Have a competition as individuals or in groups:
  • Diverge:  What is a cool idea for a phone app?  How many uses can you think of for a paper clip?
  • Converge:  As a group, work down to the 5-10 best or most original app or paperclip ideas.
• Individual Activity: Take one of the following words: Honor, Fear, Excitement, Commitment, Water, Food, Need.  Imagine you had to write an essay for three hours on that topic.  
  • Diverge: Brainstorm as many different ideas as you can. 
  • Converge: select the best ideas and organize those into an outline.
• Individual Activity: Spend some time outside looking at clouds, coming up with as many things you “see” in the clouds as possible.