Lateral Thinking

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Definition Lateral Thinking?

Lateral Thinking (LT) is a term which was invented by Edward De Bono in his books: New think: The use of lateral thinking in the generation of new ideas (1967) and further developed in Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step.

LT is a creative, fresh approach to problem solving and to thinking in general by approaching problems indirectly at multiple, diverse and unorthodox angles instead of concentrating on one approach at length. Trying harder in the same direction using the same approach is less useful as changing the direction and/or the approach.

LT is closely related to insight, creativity and humour. All four of these share the same basis. But unlike insight, creativity and humour, it is a deliberate process. Whereas creativity is often only the description of a result, LT is the description of a specific process using certain tools.

LT is about reasoning that is not immediately obvious and about ideas that may not be obtainable by using only traditional step-by-step logic (comparable to Integrative Thinking). With logic you start out with certain ingredients just as in playing chess you start out with given pieces. But what are those pieces? In most real life situations the pieces are not given, we just assume they are there. We assume certain perceptions, certain concepts and certain boundaries. LT is concerned not with playing with the existing pieces but with seeking to change the pieces. It is concerned with the perception part of thinking. This is where we organize the external world into the pieces we can then 'process'.
 

De Bono identified four critical factors associated with lateral thinking:

1. Recognize dominant ideas that polarize perception of a problem.

2. Searching for different ways of looking at things.

3. Relaxation of rigid control of thinking.

4. Use of chance to encourage other ideas. This last factor has to do with the fact that lateral thinking involves low-probability ideas which are unlikely to occur in the normal course of events.

Lateral versus Vertical (Logical) Thinking

According to Hernandez and Varkey, the main differences between Vertical and Lateral (horizontal) thinking are:

• Vertical thinking is a stepwise way of thinking and applies certain rules to achieve a predetermined goal. This approach has a linear direction and is restricted by logic; it only selects the relevant information and skills required for the set goal. Vertical thinking requires a depth of knowledge so that the right decisions can be made under whatever circumstances.
• LT is not a stepwise fashioned way of thinking. In contrast, it seeks different directions for a certain problem that needs to be solved. Furthermore, this approach is not restricted by logical; it does not follow certain rules so as to achieve goals already set. Rather it involves creativity and imagination to generate new and innovative ideas. Rather than demanding a depth of knowledge, LT demands an understanding of complex systems, a so-called breath of knowledge.

Source: Hernandez, J.S. and P. Varkey (2008) “Vertical versus Lateral Thinking” The Physician Executive

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For example, when there's a problem, the... 6   2 comments How to Foster Lateral Thinking? I believe that nowadays in our world of specialists' (specialist idiots') way of logical thinking, the issue of how to nurture lateral (out of the box) thinking is a pressing one. I think that visual... 4   Lateral Thinking the New Thinking Which Makes the Difference Last century the steam engine replaced muscle power. Currently computers are replacing models and linear processes. We have been trained in a linear way at universities and apply this in our business... 4   2 comments Lateral Thinking - Sometimes Suppressed This is the way to operate out of the box. Unfortunately, as someone mentioned elsewhere, it can be suppressed by lilliputian who consider themselves giants - either at work, in school or at home. Th... 4   1 comments Lateral Thinking can Improve the Brain and Memory Lateral thinking is specifically concerned with changing preconceived thoughts to bring out new ideas and can be practised as a skill. Lateral thinking can improve performance of the brain and also th... 4   Why Lateral Thinking is Important? We can not discover a new gold mine using the old map. Reality is diverse and multidimensional. So lateral thinking - thinking out of the box, is a natural and necessary way to tackle problems, especi... 3   4 comments Young’s 5 Steps to Help to Produce Creative Ideas In his 1965 book 'A Technique for Producing Ideas’ James Webb Young outlined five steps to generate creative ideas that can still be put into practice. These are the following: FINDING NEW RAW MATE... 3   1 comments Lateral Thinking Should Be Taught at Univ / MBA I recommend that this special subject "lateral thinking" should be a part of the engineer's and business management students in graduation and post graduation studies. Especially in India, where stude... 3   5 comments Increased Scope of Thinking Every solution will have its advantages and disadvantages. When the majority lies with the advantages, such solution is usually chosen. However lateral thinking provides more scope to visualize solut... 3   What is Genius? Relation to Lateral Thinking? My simple definition of a genius (and I am certainly not one) is the ability to hold both the big picture and the details in the thinking process at the same time, thereby being able to see much riche... 2   Lateral Thinking = Thinking Outside of the Box It seems to me, lateral thinking is not much more than thinking "outside of the box". If we start to incorporate theories as to how to laterally think, we are just creating a larger box.... 2   6 comments Lateral Thinking-not a Predefined Thought Process Categorization of the thought process may not be possibly while making an attempt to solve a problem. The random occurrence of thoughts may not allow us to name the path it is following before the eve... 2   1 comments Lateral Thinking is Inborn Lateral thinking is inborn and exists in children to a large extent. But as they grow up our system at home and school education generally kills this urge to think creatively since our parents/teacher... 2   1 comments Lateral Thinking is Creative Thinking Edward De Bono introduced lateral thinking for problem solving situations at a time when the world was practicing traditional problem solving tools. Now after so many years of practice, we have gone t... 2   1 comments Lateral Thinking Culprit One day as my routine works at factory was shattered due to one stupid labour leader who never works, I asked him to drop his resignation letter. While I was conducting a brain storming session, the g... 2   4 comments Lateral Thinking is Divergent Thinking Lateral thinking is hypothesizing the alternate ways of solving a problem. It involves divergent thinking and, at times, intuition. People can be trained to think laterally. Developing a culture of di... 2   2 comments Using Lateral Thinking to Find an Exciting Job Logical thinking -> job portals, friends, newspapers etc. Lateral thinking -> writing a case study, publishing a book, participating in a forum, writing an article in a magazine, guest lectures in ed... 1   Factors to Unlock Creativity To unlock creativity, senior managers should provide staff freedom of action. According to Chris Baréz-Brown (2015), SIMPLICITY is a key principle in this endeavor. Thus, eliminate unnecessary procedu... 1   1 comments Quotes on Lateral Thinking and Creativity I just came across a beautiful quote on creativity to share with you: it runs thus: 'Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity.'... 0   Lateral Thinking Methods and our Decisions Lateral thinking is a moral value that offers the possibility of overtaking. Bono taught us a method to look beyond appearances. For example: - To fight against climate change, we could pay to plan... 0   Role of Chance in Lateral Thinking De Bono's methodology to achieve lateral thinking is fantastic and logical. The last aspect of the process may be subject to discussions. I do believe in the use of CHANCE to encourage ideas. Strate... 0   Lateral Thinking = Critical Thinking I think that lateral thinking is critical thinking.... -1   3 comments Not Anyone is Able to Learn Lateral Thinking I am not sure about that everyone could learn lateral thinking. I several times failed to even get a pupil to grips with the principles. I assume they had a psychological barrier, caused by successes ... -1   5 comments Start a new topic about Lateral Thinking Sign up for free

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Best Practices The best, top-rated topics about Lateral Thinking. Here you will find the most valuable ideas and practical suggestions. 🥇 What is Lateral Thinking? I would like members comments on Edward de Bono's statement: "Anyone can be a lateral thinker, this does not imply they use lateral thinking.... 24   62 comments 🥈 The Italian Way to Think Once during a large conference an attendee was asking me why the Italian people seem to be so creative in so many fields of design, fashion, art, lifestyles, industry? I replied that this was because... 14   9 comments 🥉 Lateral Thinking versus Logical Thinking Lateral Thinking is a method that stimulates creativity in solving problems. This method is an aid for looking new perspectives or points of views of an specific situation. In opposition to logical (... 9   10 comments Lateral Thinking Methods / Tools Lateral thinking is key today. What methods and tools are being deployed within lateral thinking? Please summarize one tool in your reply. Thanks!... 9   13 comments Lateral Thinking Question If a plane crashes on the Italian / Swiss border, where do you bury the survivors?... 8   8 comments Lateral Thinking and Meta Thinking Lateral thinking and meta thinking are related. As meta thinking is about thinking about thinking (…and so on). To be an effective lateral thinker you should think about your thought process. To expl... 8   4 comments

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