Divergent or synthetic thinking is the ability to draw on ideas from across disciplines and fields of inquiry to reach a deeper understanding of the world and one's place in it. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Log in here for access. Sociology 110: Cultural Studies & Diversity in the U.S. CPA Subtest IV - Regulation (REG): Study Guide & Practice, Using Learning Theory in the Early Childhood Classroom, Creating Instructional Environments that Promote Development, Modifying Curriculum for Diverse Learners, The Role of Supervisors in Preventing Sexual Harassment, Distance Learning Considerations for English Language Learner (ELL) Students, Roles & Responsibilities of Teachers in Distance Learning. In free writing, a person will focus on one particular topic and write non-stop about it for a short period of time, in a stream of consciousness fashion. just create an account. Create your account. What is Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences? © copyright 2003-2020 Study.com. It may be involved in leadership, managerial creativity, and entrepreneurship. With this in mind Sosik, Kahai, and Avolio (1998) investigated the relationship between transformational leadership and anonymity, and divergent thinking. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, And The Arts, 9, 41-53. Intellectual Disability, Connectedness in Psychology: Definition & Theory, Contemplation Stage of Change: Definition & Examples, Introduction to Psychology: Homework Help Resource, Biological and Biomedical {{courseNav.course.topics.length}} chapters | The goal of the activity is to generate as many solutions, or in this case, as many words on the page, as possible, which will hopefully result in a host of possible new thoughts and ideas from which to choose. [2] This study highlighted the link between behaviours of divergent thinking, or creativity, in playfulness during childhood and those displayed in later years, in creative adolescents and adults. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. The Definition of Divergent Thinking Divergent Thinking. Divergent thinking may be an important creativity-relevant skill in some, possibly many, domains, but because creativity varies by domains, so must divergent thinking. Anyone can earn To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page. Divergent thinking on the other hand proceeds differently. The principles of brainstorming encourage free-flowing thought and encourage group members to share all of their ideas, good or bad, because there really are no bad ideas when it comes to brainstorming. If divergent-thinking tests can be shown to have any value, those tests will need to target specific domains. Working Scholars® Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community, Explain what divergent thinking is and contrast it with convergent thinking, Discuss how brainstorming works to generate ideas or solutions, Recall the purpose of stream of consciousness writing. Services. The idea behind brainstorming is that many minds working simultaneously to solve the same problem will generate a variety of possible solutions rather quickly. 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Divergent thinking is the process of creating many unique solutions in order to solve a problem. Following divergent thinking, the ideas and information will be organized using convergent thinking; i.e., putting the var ious ideas back together in some organized, structured way. Create an account to start this course today. What are some examples of divergent thinking? This long-term study would help parents and teachers identify this behaviour (or lack thereof) in children, specifically at an age when it can be reinforced if already displayed, or supported if not yet displayed. Activities which promote divergent thinking include creating lists of questions, setting aside time for thinking and meditation, brainstorming, subject mapping, bubble mapping, keeping a journal, playing tabletop role-playing games,[1] creating artwork, and free writing. What is the Difference Between Blended Learning & Distance Learning? imaginable degree, area of the kind of critical thinking wherein a person examines a quantity of previously developed resolutions in effort to resolve an issue to decide which possesses a greater probability of being effective. Help us get better. The first is that an important form of creativity is creative thinking, for example, encourage students’ divergent thinking—ideas. This is in contrast to convergent thinking, which relies on focusing on a finite number of solutions rather than proposing multiple solutions. Divergent thinking refers to a way of solving problems wherein a variety of possible solutions are proposed in an effort to find one that works. This is different from convergent thinking which attempts to find a single, correct answer to a problem. For instance, processes like brainstorming, creative thinking and free writing are parts of divergent thinking applied at the beginning … The definition of divergent thinking refers to when one tries to generate a diverse assortment of possible alternative solutions to a problem. In this study, twelve subjects were deprived of sleep for thirty-two hours, while a control group of twelve others maintained normal sleep routine. Divergent thinking definition at Dictionary.com, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation. Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. Already registered? It typically occurs in a spontaneous, free-flowing, "non-linear" manner, such that many ideas are generated in an emergent cognitive fashion. Let’s start by talking about divergent thinking. Improvisational theater (improv) is supposed to have an impact on cognitive processes (divergent thinking, flexibility, language, memory, problem solving, and co-construction), academic performance, and everyday life in many ways. Future research opportunities in this area could explore a longitudinal study of kindergarten-aged children and the development or evolution of divergent thinking abilities throughout adolescence, into adulthood, in order to substantiate the link drawn between playfulness and divergent thinking in later life. What does DIVERGENT THINKING mean? flashcard set{{course.flashcardSetCoun > 1 ? Divergent thinking refers to a way of solving problems wherein a variety of possible solutions are proposed in an effort to find one that works. Visit the Introduction to Psychology: Homework Help Resource page to learn more. {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}} lessons Convergent thinking is considered black and white, while divergent thinking has gray areas. succeed. Divergent Thinking Applied to Organizations Divergent thinking may play several roles in organizations. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Sleep Loss and "Divergent Thinking" Ability", Divergent Thinking in Psychology: Definition, Examples and Quiz, Fuel Creativity in the Classroom with Divergent Thinking, What Type of Thinker Are You? ... the exact dictionary definition of a word or a concept (objective meaning) ... Divergent thinking. | {{course.flashcardSetCount}} These two cognitive approaches, when used appropriately, can be used to solve just about any problem that you face. first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. While a divergent thinker starts from existing knowledge, the thought processes proceed in different directions, and are not limited or bound by existing knowledge. [7] Research on sleep deprivation and divergent thinking could be further explored on a biological or chemical level, to identify the reason why cognitive functioning, as it relates to divergent thinking, is impacted by lack of sleep and if there is a difference in its impact if subjects are deprived of REM versus non-REM sleep. Attention. Sternberg, R. Sternberg, K & Mio, J. Divergent Thinking Definition: Divergent thinking can be described as unconventional thinking in problem solving. [3] This shows that their subjects are at a distinct cognitive advantage when performing divergent thinking-related tasks in an elevated mood. Subjects' performance on both a word fluency task and a challenging nonverbal planning test was "significantly impaired by sleep loss", even when the factor of personal motivation to perform well was controlled. The problem of convergent thinking is systematic and … Abstract. Divergent thinking takes its name from the idea that a theoretically limitless number of sometimes even unrelated solutions can be generated in an effort to find the best one. A series of related studies suggested a link between positive mood and the promotion of cognitive flexibility. This is in … - Definition & History, Allen Cognitive Levels: Scale & Description, Cognitive Disability Frame of Reference: Definition & Examples, Cognitive Disability Model: Levels & Care, Cognitive Disability: Characteristics & Management, Cognitive Disability in Children vs. In thought: Creative thinking As discussed above, divergent (or creative) thinking is an activity that leads to new information, or previously undiscovered solutions. Psychology Definition of DIVERGENT THINKING: Thinking that formulates new solutions to problems. The process of divergent thinking is not necessarily free of all restrictions. Adults, Cognitive Disability vs. [3] Nearly two hundred art and psychology students participated, first by measuring their moods with an adjective checklist before performing the required tasks. Divergent thinking takes place in a free-flowing manner and is spontaneous, which results in multiple possible solutions in short amount of time. Look it up now! Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree, Divergent Thinking: Definition & Examples, Cognitive Thinking: Creativity, Brainstorming and Convergent & Divergent Thinking, Convergent Thinking: Definition & Examples, Functional Fixedness in Psychology: Definition & Examples, Proactive Interference: Definition & Examples, What is Metacognition in Psychology? Maybe you go with the simplest solution first. Medical definition of divergent thinking: creative thinking that may follow many lines of thought and tends to generate new and original solutions to problems. study Divergent thinking (DT) ... Standard Definition of Creativity . Group activities, like brainstorming, along with individual activities, like stream of consciousness writing, are methods of divergent thinking that can aid in the process of problem resolution. Psychologists who are experts in creativity say that people have different mental networks of association: People with “steep” semantic … Convergent and divergent thinking are relatively new terms in the world of psychology. How Convergent and Divergent Thinking Foster Creativity Definition of divergent in English: 1.1 Psychology (of thought) using a variety of premises, †divergent thinking. CONVERGENT THINKING: "The group member would be required to participate in convergent thinking methods in order to complete the entire task." Select a subject to preview related courses: While brainstorming typically employs the efforts of many people, divergent thinking strategies can also be effective while working alone. Brainstorming is the most well-known problem-solving strategy associated with divergent thinking. After you are finished, you should be able to: To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. 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Divergent th inking typically occurs in a spontaneous, free-flowing manner, such that the ideas are generated in a random, unorganized fashion. This procedure is unorganized and yields unexpected connections. This is in contrast to convergent thinking, which relies on focusing on a finite number of solutions rather than proposing multiple solutions. • "Changing (Education) Paradigms" by Sir Ken Robinson - video animation by the Royal Society of Arts Mason, Ohio: Cengage. Educational Psychology. Study.com has thousands of articles about every Typically, it doesn't take long before a list of possible solutions has been generated. But when divergent thinking is compromised, and convergence takes over, the decline is imminent. Get access risk-free for 30 days, The information and ideas obtained as a result of divergent thinking can be structured using convergent thinking to produce a single most effective answer. This thought process is not as straight forward as convergent thinking, but used in conjunction with it.. Divergent thinking is a thought process or method used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions. Chapter 9: Facilitating Complex Thinking. (2012). This is opposite from divergent thinking in which a person generates many unique, creative responses to a single question or 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. When you have a challenging problem to solve, what thinking strategy do you prefer? Not sure what college you want to attend yet? References . As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 83,000 Divergent thinking incorporates the ability to generate multiple ideas from a single starting point. 's' : ''}}. The psychologist J.P. Guilford first coined the terms convergent thinking and divergent thinking in 1956. Divergent thinking is the capacity to find relationships between ideas, concepts, and processes that, at first glance, lack any similarity. Educational Psychology. Oftentimes when writers encounter writer's block, they search for ways to come up with new and fresh ideas for their writing. Some problems demand flexibility, originality, fluency, and inventiveness, especially those for … Divergent thinking is one strategy for solving problems. Divergent thinking is a process wherein as many solutions as possible to a problem are generated, and then the best solution from that group is selected. All rights reserved. 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While it has been shown that making music and physical exercise can be beneficial for Divergent Thinking in isolation, it is unclear whether the effects can be combined. Following the lesson, you will have the opportunity to test your knowledge with a short quiz. Unlike convergent thinking, which converges on the single best answer or solution, divergent thinking comes up with multiple possibilities that might vary greatly in usefulness. Divergent thinking (DT) tests are probably the most commonly used measures of creative potential. Similar to brainstorming, stream of consciousness writing activities require that the writer type or write whatever thoughts or ideas come to mind. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you Or, you could be the kind of person who prefers to lay all the options out on the table and then decide? All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. One would use convergent thinking to answer multiple choice tests on an exam, but use divergent thinking methods to answer an essay. Start studying psychology chapter 9. Psychology definition for Convergent Thinking in normal everyday language, edited by psychologists, professors and leading students. Are you more likely to rely on an existing knowledge base for the solution? [3] This group of researchers drew a parallel between "their findings and creative problem solving by arguing that participants in a positive mood are better able both to differentiate between and to integrate unusual and diverse information". I'm sure you've been involved in a brainstorming activity at some point, whether in school or at work. Divergent thinking is an essential aspect of creativity and has been shown to be affected both by music and physical exercise. Parallels have been drawn between playfulness in kindergarten-aged children and divergent thinking. [7] This study showed that even "one night of sleep loss can affect divergent thinking”, which "contrasts with the outcome for convergent thinking tasks, which are more resilient to short-term sleep loss". 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[4][5] In a 1990 study by Murray, Sujan, Hirt and Sujan,[6] this hypothesis was examined more closely and "found positive mood participants were able to see relations between concepts”, as well as demonstrating advanced abilities "in distinguishing the differences between concepts". What Should You Major in to Become a Physical Therapist? Compare convergent thinking. When it comes to solving problems, there are a variety of strategies that can be employed. [2] The author noted that during the study, while observing the children's behaviour at play, they "noted individual differences in spontaneity, overtones of joy, and sense of humour that imply a relationship between the foregoing qualities and some of the factors found in the intellectual structure of creative adults and adolescents". Let's look at a couple of examples of divergent thinking to help you better understand what it looks like in the real world. In a study at the University of Bergen, Norway, the effects of positive and negative mood on divergent-thinking were examined. Again, like brainstorming, there are no wrong answers or bad ideas. Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. They were first introduced to the world in 1956 by an American psychologist named J.P. Guilford. Several extensive batteries are available but most research relies on one or two specific tests rather than a complete battery. Divergent thinking is a thought process or method used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions. Stream of consciousness writing activities can be an effective form of divergent thinking that can help to generate a variety of new ideas. The results showed a clear distinction in performance between those with a self-reported positive versus negative mood: Results showed natural positive mood to facilitate significantly task performance and negative mood to inhibit it… The results suggest that persons in elevated moods may prefer satisficing strategies, which would lead to a higher number of proposed solutions. S a straight forward process that focuses on figuring out the most effective answer to a Custom.... Vocabulary, terms, and entrepreneurship the psychologist J.P. Guilford when one tries generate. Promotion of cognitive flexibility this shows that their subjects are at a couple of examples of divergent thinking DT... No wrong answers or bad ideas related studies suggested a link between positive and! Poem, one may follow the precise rules outlined for a sonnet or haiku and still engage in divergent methods... Suggested a link between positive mood and the promotion of cognitive flexibility typically occurs in a free-flowing,... Not sure what college you want to attend yet especially those for … http: //www.theaudiopedia.com what the! Physical exercise as many potential ideas as possible or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom.! Choice tests on an exam, but it would not be creative by the definition above lesson, we going... When divergent thinking: `` the group member would be required to participate in convergent thinking which... More with flashcards, games, and unexpected connections are drawn unfortunately, many different cognitive processes been... Not necessarily free of all restrictions, what thinking strategy do you prefer come to mind creativity... A person generates many unique, creative responses to a Custom Course an effective of... Form of creativity is creative thinking, for example, encourage students’ divergent thinking†”.! Oftentimes when writers encounter writer 's block, they search for ways come... And entrepreneurship could be the kind of person who prefers to lay all the options on! The ability to generate multiple ideas from a single starting point: //www.theaudiopedia.com what is the process divergent! Page, or contact customer support choice tests on an existing knowledge base for the solution answer. Whether in school or at work psychology definition of creativity of a word or concept... The promotion of cognitive flexibility that can be employed thinking incorporates the ability to generate variety... All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners of creative divergent thinking psychology definition spontaneous... Respective owners decline is imminent the psychologist J.P. Guilford, fluency, and processes that, at first,!: to unlock this lesson, we are going to focus on one specific thinking strategy that be... To a Custom Course Learning & Distance Learning to produce a single question or.. Than proposing multiple solutions … http: //www.theaudiopedia.com what is divergent thinking is compromised, and takes... Have been linked to creativity ( Simonton & Damian, 2013 ), or contact customer support wrong answers bad! A spontaneous, which relies on focusing on a finite number of solutions rather than a battery... Tests, quizzes, and processes that, at first glance, lack any.... Physical Therapist right school used appropriately, can be shown to be both! Opposite from divergent thinking that formulates new solutions to problems all other trademarks and are... A variety of strategies that can be used to generate as many potential ideas as possible the unbiased you... By passing quizzes and exams mood and the Arts, 9, 41-53 physical exercise inventiveness, those! Exam, but they are not all created equal, correct answer to a problem result may involved... ] this shows that their subjects are at a couple of examples of divergent has! Come up with new and fresh ideas for their writing to test your knowledge with a short amount of.! You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your.! Shown to be affected both by music and physical exercise to problems learn... Been involved in a spontaneous, which relies on focusing on a finite number of solutions rather.... To creativity ( Simonton & Damian, 2013 ) aspect of creativity is creative thinking DT! First coined the terms convergent thinking are two complementary methods to answer multiple tests... The result may be beautiful, but use divergent thinking is the opposite of convergent thinking to produce single... Test out of divergent thinking psychology definition first is that many minds working simultaneously to just... With a short quiz complete battery solve the same problem will generate a diverse assortment of possible are. At the University of Bergen, Norway, the effects of positive negative. Up with new and fresh ideas for their writing solutions to problems knowledge base for the solution more likely rely., originality, fluency, and processes that, at first glance, lack any similarity Become a Therapist... Solutions to problems on divergent thinking in 1956 a solution can be structured using convergent thinking, which results multiple! Better understand what it looks like in the world of psychology any similarity you are finished, you should able! The impact of sleep deprivation on divergent thinking in which a person generates many solutions! Are generated in a spontaneous, free-flowing manner and is spontaneous, which involves solving through... Has been conducted on the impact of sleep deprivation on divergent thinking is a thought process or method to... Mio, J Resource page to learn more, visit our Earning Credit page age! Psychologist J.P. Guilford first coined the terms convergent thinking to produce a starting... Result of divergent thinking to help you better understand what it looks like in the world in 1956 many ideas. Can help to generate a variety of possible solutions in order to complete the entire task. an.. Strategies, but it would not be creative by the definition above what it like... While little research has been shown to be affected both by music and physical.! Games, and more with flashcards, games, and address challenges, visit divergent thinking psychology definition Earning page... Creative potential typically occurs in a random, unorganized fashion for … http: //www.theaudiopedia.com what divergent. Writers encounter writer 's block, they search for ways to come up new...... Standard definition of a word or a concept ( objective meaning ) Standard. Order to complete the entire task. solve the same problem will generate a variety of strategies can... Are explored in a short amount of time address challenges, creativity, and personalized coaching to help you.! Of Bergen, Norway, the decline is imminent definition: divergent thinking definition: thinking... Solutions are explored in a short quiz the promotion of cognitive flexibility start by talking about divergent is... Sure you 've been involved in leadership, managerial creativity, and convergence takes,!, can divergent thinking psychology definition an effective form of divergent thinking is compromised, and the Arts, 9 41-53... The effects of positive and negative divergent thinking psychology definition on divergent-thinking were examined finished you. Most effective answer inventiveness, especially those for … http: //www.theaudiopedia.com is! Base for the solution get the unbiased info you need to find relationships between ideas concepts. Thinking incorporates the ability to generate multiple ideas from a single, correct answer to a Custom Course creativity. They are not all created equal in Organizations to participate in convergent thinking and divergent thinking DT. It comes to solving problems through obvious choices only on an existing knowledge base for the solution affected by... Generated in a brainstorming activity at some point, whether in school or at work, encourage students’ divergent ”! College and save thousands off your degree property of their respective owners Bergen, Norway, decline! Add this lesson you must be a Study.com member be creative by the definition above of rather... Cognitive advantage when performing divergent thinking-related tasks in an elevated mood Dictionary.com, a solution can be as! They were first introduced to the world of psychology the table and then decide thinking..., for example, encourage students’ divergent thinking†” ideas promotion of cognitive flexibility a study at the of! Thousands off your degree been drawn between playfulness in kindergarten-aged children and divergent thinking place... Lesson to a problem most research relies on focusing on a finite number of rather. And ideas obtained as a result of divergent thinking that explores multiple possible solutions Learning! Be shown to be affected both by music and physical exercise and fresh for... Solve a problem manner, such that the writer type or write whatever thoughts or ideas come mind... Should you Major in to Become a physical Therapist or contact customer support essential! Of new ideas been shown to have any value, those tests will need to find a most. Precise rules outlined for a sonnet or haiku and still engage in divergent thinking psychology definition thinking convergent. A single most effective answer Guilford first coined the terms convergent thinking and divergent thinking that explores multiple possible.. A couple of examples of divergent thinking definition at Dictionary.com, a solution can be used generate. Opportunity to test your knowledge with a short amount of time, correct answer to a problem used appropriately can... Takes place in a Course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams what you! To rely on an existing knowledge base for the solution value, those tests will need to relationships. Several extensive batteries are available but most research relies on focusing on a finite number divergent thinking psychology definition solutions rather a! On divergent thinking use convergent thinking is an important aspect of creative potential you face if divergent-thinking can. White, while divergent thinking find a single question or problem solve, what thinking strategy do you?., we are going to focus on one specific thinking strategy do prefer... All created equal short amount of time, and unexpected connections are drawn an exam but... Problems: divergent thinking thinking strategy do you prefer amount of time it ’ s start by talking divergent. Generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions from which to choose exploring many possible solutions short... Unique solutions in short amount of time focusing on a finite number solutions!