While vertical thinking seeks to develop an existing pattern, lateral thinking seeks to restructure the existing pattern. Lateral thinking stimulates creativity and innovationthe. Vertical thinking is a finite process, lateral thinking is a probablistic one. Lateral thinking is all about creating possibilities not perpetuating the same old patterns.
Dec 06, 2017 vertical thinking vs lateral thinking. Vertical thinking vs lateral thinking creative4mmu. Vertical thinking refers to solving a problem by analysis. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. What is lateral thinking and what is vertical thinking. It is the way to solve worst situations of your life in an easy way, just the need is to think wisely and run your mind. 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. He originated the concept of lateral thinking and developed formal techniques for deliberate creative thinking. Lateral thinking enhances the effectiveness of vertical thinking by offering it more to select from. Lateral thinking is an indirect and creative approach to convert impossible situations into the possible ones. Im so fascinated about the idea of lateral thinking, but the book was written so theoretically, and it lacks of reallife examples of applying the theory.
When you dig a hole, vertical thinking will be used to dig the same hole deeper, whereas lateral thinking will be used to. Lateral thinking involves using reasoning that is not straightforward and obvious. 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. Creativity step by step, but there is evidence that he used the terms before that. 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. How to transform your problemsolving and creativity. Critical thinking isnt the type of thinking needed to make stuff. 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. Differences between vertical and lateral thinking memorise. This is the core chapter of this book, about the complexity of complexity. Although the reasoning may not be immediately obvious, and not obtainable by using only traditional stepbystep logic, it does work in a more indirect way. One example that can help easily contrast the major difference between vertical thinking and lateral thinking goes like this.
Lateral thinking stimulates creativity and innovationthe triz. It focuses on the known and correct method to address a particular problem. Lateral thinking takes the indirect approach to solve problems. May 28, 2017 vertical thinking refers to solving a problem by analysis. Lateral thinking can be learned, practiced and used.
In brief, lateral thinking involves looking at problem from a different angle. At school the emphasis has traditionally always been on vertical thinking which is effective but incomplete. The condition of students actually wants learning that requires the use of their thinking to solve problems with diverse solutions. Horses dogs pigs rabbits monkeys humans they are lateral because they walk, are mammals, have hair, teeth, etc. Creativity step by step and millions of other books are available for instant access.
Lateral thinking, on the other hand, is more about using an indirect and creative approach to come to a conclusion differences. Lateral thinking is solving problems through an indirect and creative approach. Benno van aerssen is your trainer and coach for lateral thinking. Jul 20, 2017 the vertical thinking trait of a medical student is often suppressed as heshe becomes a doctor. Jun 29, 2019 you see that lateral thinking is the type of thinking that leads to new ideas.
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. Think of lateral and vertical thinking as making lists of objects. Although the author stressed on the lateral thinking importance in the last chapter that is applicable in different aspects of life as he claims. What is the difference between lateral thinking and linear. 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. In contentional thinking, we go forward in a predictable, direct fashion. This book is about lateral thinking, which is the process of using information to bring about creativity and insight restructuring. I want to find a book, i look on the shelf and there it is. He has written numerous books, which have been translated into 34 languages, and his advice is sought by nobel laureates and world leaders alike. It involves taking the data from a problem and analyzing it with defined methodologies to find logical solutions. A person uses lateral thinking to move from one known idea to new ideas. 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. I have made some attempts on lateral thinking and it was published as an e book,eye doctor out of the box.
Lateral thinking is a stepbystep method of creative thinking with. I like how the author defines the tell lateral thinking compared to vertical thinking. He is widely regarded as the leading authority in the direct teaching of thinking as a skill. Mar 06, 2014 im so fascinated about the idea of lateral thinking, but the book was written so theoretically, and it lacks of reallife examples of applying the theory. Aug 08, 2012 creative thinking how to get out of the box and generate ideas. Vertical thinking is distinguished by the fact that it is linear, while on the other side of the thinking can be seen as nonlinear. Lateral thinking concepts, training methodologies and. Doing a sum is a classic example of vertical thinking. Creativity step by step, the concept of lateral thinking is expressed in the polar opposite to the vertical thinking. Finally, he sets out the four main categories of the techniques of lateral thinking. I have made some attempts on lateral thinking and it was published as an e book,eye doctor out of the box isbn 9781878284. Although the author stressed on the lateral thinking importance in the last chapter that is applicable in different aspects of life.
In the digital world though, i find the book i am looking for and 5 others that are related to the first. I appreciate your article and efforts on lateral thinking. The tools and processes of lateral thinking are designed to achieve such lateral. Of all the books i have read about creativity and thinking skills, if i had to choose one, lateral thinking would be it. Limitations of vertical thinking include being right at every stage and having everything rigidly defined. If more bankers and traders had read lateral thinking and applied. Lateral thinking is a stepbystep method of creative thinking with prescribed techniques that can be used consciously. What is the difference between lateral thinking and. 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. Vertical thinking can be thought of as a sequence of direct and logical steps that are used to come to a conclusion. A lateral thinker is a person who uses lateral thinking to tackle issues or problems. Information processing and new ideaslateral and vertical thinking. Vertical thinking meaning of vertical thinking by lexico. Lateral thinking involves coming at the problem from new directions literally, from the side.
The classic work about improving creativity from world renowned writer and. Consequently, it helps you save time, money and energy. Vertical thinking 1 vertical thinking is selective, lateral thinking is generative. This book is about lateral thinking which is the process of using information to bring about creativity and insight restructuring. Vertical thinking is a sequence of direct and logical steps that are used to come to a conclusion. What is the difference between lateral thinking and logical. He then shows that lateral thinking is a far easier and more natural way to generate simple, sound and effective ideas and offers guidance on how to develop your own ability to think laterally. Vertical thinking enhances the ideas generated by lateral thinking. Vertical vs lateral thinking in healthcare howard j.
Thus where vertical thinking focuses on the answers, lateral thinking generates questions and hypotheses. Lateral thinking is for changing concepts and perceptionsthe brain as a selforganising information system forms asymmetric patterns. Vertical thinking is analytical, sequenced, deliberate, and precise. In conventional thinking people go forward in a predictable, direct fashion. The vertical thinking trait of a medical student is often suppressed as heshe becomes a doctor. Examples in a spectrum of vertical and lateral thinking. If you are still not clear, here are the 6 top classic examples of exactly how lateral thinking works.
Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Vertical thinking 2 vertical thinking moves only if there is a direction in which to move, lateral thinking moves in order to generate direction. Creative thinking how to get out of the box and generate ideas. Lateral thinking, on the other hand, is using an indirect and. Lateral thinking involves approaching the problem from new directions literally from the side. Vertical thinking is distinguished as something that is linear, while on the other hand lateral thinking can be seen as nonlinear.
Lateral thinking, on the other hand, is using an indirect and creative approach to come to a. The classic work about improving creativity from worldrenowned writer and. We have to stay on the ladder in order to get to the top. What is the difference between lateral thinking and vertical. Sequential and logicbased, vertical thinking moves through a set process and stops when the best solution for a problem is found.
The terms are attributed to his 1970 book lateral thinking. Lateral thinking means taking a creative approach to a problem or challenge. 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. This book gives am idea on what lateral thinking is, how it alongside vertical. As the author of teach like a pirate, dave burgess, has stated, creativity is making stuff. We dont have to be correct at any stage in lateral thinking, because were not looking for the correct answer. Now that weve gone over some of the key differences in vertical thinking vs. This book gives am idea on what lateral thinking is, how it alongside vertical thinking is the most deadliest tool an individual can have in solving any problem. 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 when it was first published. Lateral thinking and thinking out of the box ideenfindung.
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