Lateral thinking is used to dig a hole in a different place. Complimenting the use of logical vertical thinking, lateral thinking can be used to. Systems thinking there is no single book that i have come cross to understand this, though i hear fifth discipline is one. Lets go over some of the differences between the two in this lesson. Critical thinking is primarily concerned with judging the true value of statements and seeking errors whereas lateral thinking focuses more on the movement value of statements and ideas. Lateral thinking involves approaching the problem from new directions literally from the side. The tools and processes of lateral thinking are designed to achieve such lateral movement. A person uses lateral thinking to move from one known idea to new ideas.
Lateral thinking is a stepbystep method of creative thinking with prescribed techniques that can be used consciously. This book is about lateral thinking which is the process of using information to bring about creativity and insight restructuring. The first practical explanation of how creativity works, this resultsoriented bestseller trains listeners to move beyond a vertical mode of thought to. The bartender pulls out a gun, points it at the man, and cocks it. Bono says that we need lateral thinking only about 5% of the times rest of the times, vertical thinking is what will help us live in the world. Edward debono, author of 62 books on creative thought. Braingle lateral vs vertical thinking mentalrobics article. The concept of vertical versus horizontal thinking originated from edward debono, new think, basic books, n. Systems thinking, design thinking, strategic thinking. Mar 23, 2009 lateral thinking is quite distinct from vertical thinking which is the traditional type of thinking.
First published in 1967 as the use of lateral thinking, this classic international bestseller remains as relevant to learning, problem solving and creative thinking today as it did when it was first published. Lateral thinking concepts, training methodologies and. Lateral thinking is solving problems by an indirect and creative approach, typically through viewing the problem in a new and unusual light. In such systems there is a mathematical need for moving across patterns. It essentially means being able to think creatively or outside the box in order to solve a problem. Almost half a century after its first publication, this introduction to the concept of lateral thinking, focuses on exposing several concepts associated with that main concept developed by the author, as well as mentioning several examples from famous characters or inventions where the generation of new ideas were the result of moving away from the rigidity of traditional logical thinking or. The differences between lateral thinking, parallel thinking. Vertical thinking is a sequence of direct and logical steps that are used to come to a conclusion. Managed health care, compensationbased guidelines and the need for costeffective systems fueled the necessity to deliver valuebased, highquality patient care. Differences between vertical and lateral thinking in our world we are governed by rules and structure, and there is a great deal of time spent developing them. It could be said that it is the opposite of lateral thinking.
Lateral thinking, on the other hand, is using an indirect and creative approach to come to a. Picking one idea and proceeding until a solution is reached is called vertical thinking and this is the type of thinking that is most often taught in our schools. The reason for this is the simple fact that vertical thinking utilizes a sequential method in solving problem, where only one solution is generally realized. When you dig a hole, vertical thinking will be used to dig the same hole deeper, whereas lateral thinking will be used to dig a hole in a different place. There is nothing wrong with being a vertical thinker. Since then, he has written around 40 books on creativity and thinking. He calls one vertical thinking, which uses the processes of logicthe traditional, historical method. Dreaming thinking in reverse dreaming is the thinking process in reverse. Through vertical thinking, where the most optimum answer is generated, the individual would simply move from a to b without any further exploration. Purely horizontal thinking is known as daydreaming. But whereas insight, creativity and humour can only be prayed for, lateral thinking is a more deliberate process.
Lateral thinking and situation puzzles lateral thinking image source. Lateral thinking, on the other hand, is using an indirect and creative approach to come to a conclusion. For instance, perhaps a lateral thinker and a vertical thinker are putting together a particle board bookshelf. Creative thinking how to get out of the box and generate ideas. Sometimes it is best if vertical thinking and lateral thinking are combined. Linear thinking is based on logic, rules and rationality to solve a problem a person who uses linear thinking is constant. This article is a whistlestop tour of some of his more notable methods. Lateral thinking means taking a creative approach to a problem or challenge. People who think sidebyside more often have more difficulty focusing on tasks that require steps whose order can not be altered, but also often produce interesting solutions to thorny problems.
Lateral thinking how can lateral thinking help you. In conventional thinking people go forward in a predictable, direct fashion. Lateral thinking stimulates creativity and innovationthe. Inherent in each process is a predominant mode of thought. Vertical thinking enhances the ideas generated by lateral thinking. Lateral thinking is for changing concepts and perceptionsthe brain as a selforganising information system forms asymmetric patterns. Lateral thinking deliberately distances itself from vertical or logical thinking the classic method for problem solving. As opposed to vertical thinking, lateral thinking tries to identify different directions of solving a problem. Jan 27, 2012 creative thinking or lateral thinking.
Debono 1971a discusses the application of lateral thinking to management development and debono 1971b provides an interesting study of lateral thinking in children. How does critical differ from analytical or lateral thinking. Lateral thinking stimulates creativity and innovationthe triz. The first practical explanation of how creativity works, this resultsoriented bestseller trains listeners to move beyond a vertical mode of thought to tap the potential of lateral thinking. Vertical thinking rewards the depth of our knowledge. When thinking laterally, you continue to generate ideas even after a promising idea has been produced. What is the difference between lateral thinking and linear. Analytical thinking the ability to visualise, articulate, and solve both complex and uncomplicated problems and concepts to make decisions that are sensible and based on available information. Although the reasoning may not be immediately obvious, and not obtainable by using only traditional stepbystep logic, it does work in a more. Lateral thinking takes the indirect approach to solve problems. In brief, lateral thinking involves looking at problem from a different angle. Neither linear or lateral thinking is the right answer for every situation.
Vertical thinking definition of vertical thinking by the. Lateral thinking makes vertical thinking more effectual. What are analytical, critical and lateral thinking skills. They are the analysts of the world, the star student with the highest grades and they dont make many mistakes. Lateral thinking is quite distinct from vertical thinking which is the traditional type of thinking. Lateral thinking has to be distinguished from critical thinking. Educational introduction to best mental exercises and logical thinking by using essential, interesting and entertaining information supplemented with free photos and images which are in the public domain or licensed under a creative commons license or gnu free documentation license. Lateral thinking is the ability to use your imagination to look at a problem in a fresh way and come up. What is lateral thinking and what is an example of it. It is as definite a way of using the mind as logical thinking a but a very different way. A way of thinking that seeks a solution to an intractable problem through unorthodox methods or elements that would normally be ignored by logical thinking. Vertical thinking is used to dig the same hole deeper. Vertical thinking is distinguished as something that is linear, while on the other hand lateral thinking can be seen as nonlinear. May 09, 2020 sometimes it is best if vertical thinking and lateral thinking are combined.
Lateral thinking is closely related to insight, creativity and humour. This page describes lateral thinking one of the 12 best mental exercises. Here well talk you through what the ability is, and give some examples of lateral thinking skills. You cannot dig a hole in a different place by digging the same hole deeper. Vertical thinking is immensely useful but one needs to enhance its usefulness by adding creativity and tempering its rigidity. Vertical thinking develops the ideas generated by lateral thinking. Lateral thinking is a manner of solving problems using an indirect and creative approach via reasoning that is not immediately obvious. The vertical thinker understands how to put the shelf together quickly and correctly, following each step precisely. Feb 14, 2016 creative thinking how to get out of the box and generate ideas. Lateral thinking enhances the effectiveness of vertical thinking by offering it more to select from.
A man walks into a bar, and asks the bartender for a drink of water. Physician leaders operate in a realm of uncertainty and guide complex adaptive health care systems. This book should be of use to teachers who are looking for a practical way to handle lateral thinking which is. Differences between vertical and lateral thinking memorise. We generally learn in sequence, and organize in the same type of order as most everyone else like filing things according to name, subject or date so our lives are less cluttered and. Vertical thinking multiplies the effectiveness of lateral thinking by making good use of the ideas generated.
Lateral thinking can be learned, practiced and used. The differences between lateral thinking, parallel. His most notable technique, lateral thinking, aims at. At school the emphasis has traditionally always been on vertical thinking which is effective but incomplete. Horizontal thinking some devout christians in the past have acknowledged the connection between stories in the bible we see acted out in the starry night sky above. A vertical thinker is analytical, careful and precise, taking the data around a. This book is intended for use both at home and at school. Lateral thinking is solving problems through an indirect and creative approach, using reasoning that is not immediately obvious and involving ideas that may not be obtainable by using only traditional stepbystep logic. A way of understanding lateral thinking is through its opposite, vertical thinking.
They are dependable, structured, and get the job done just as they are expected to do. Lateral thinking lateral thinking is often seen as the opposite of vertical thinking. Linear thinking is based on logic, rules and rationality or sustained reason to solve a problem. A worldrenowned writer and philosopher, he is the leading authority in the field of creative thinking and the direct teaching of thinking as a skill. Unlike lateral thinking that involves using added intuition, risk taking, and imagination through unconscious and subconscious processes, vertical thinking. Seiss published the book the gospel in the stars in which he shows how elements of the gospel story can be found in the constellations. In vertical thinking one moves forward by sequential steps each of which must be justified lateral thinking is not a substitute for vertical thinking. This book and its concepts should be introduced in our primary education system and kids should be taught to inculcate lateral thinking in heir day by day world. If you are still not clear, here are the 6 top classic examples of exactly how lateral thinking works. Vertical thinking is a type of approach to problems that usually involves one being selective, analytical, and sequential. Lateral thinking involves looking at a situation or problem from a unique or unexpected point of view.