The process focuses on the questions, “why?” and “what’s best?”. The deductive logic that the fictional character Sherlock Homes used is a good example of convergent thinking. Indicative of intelligence, higher IQ scores provide a starting point to it carry out. It’s necessary! Divergent thinking is the generation of ideas and convergent thinking explores ideas to put them in motion. There are three main areas: working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. The convergent example may be driven by other issues. Convergent thinking isn’t bad or unproductive. Standardized tests are convergent; so is an IQ test. Electrodes on the scalp measure a person’s brain waves. The member states should start to have more convergent policies. You would not think that simple action has a whole lot to do with creativity, but when combined with divergent thinking, convergent thinking is an integral component of problem-solving. Such activity is measured by a test called an electroencephalogram (EEG). 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. Without diverging, you sacrifice … Examples of convergent thinking in school are study materials like flashcards, rote memorization, and drill learning. Although divergent thinking is unconcerned with limitations, the ‘best’ solution determined by convergent thinking tasks cannot be deterred by extensive limitations. Convergent thinking is a cognitive process (a mode of critical thinking) in which a person attempts to find a single, correct answer to a problem. The first step is to learn about different types of thinking. While convergent thinking relies more on logic, divergent thinking relies more on creativity. Learn about convergent thinking, how it differs from divergent thinking, and more. Questions on standard IQ tests are a prime example of this type of thinking. It requires repetition to refine the process. No wonder the group became worn out so fast! Certainly it has it’s place. But they were quickly getting shot down. Rather than doing them in the same meeting, try “batching” your divergent and convergent thinking tasks. Gathering various tidbits of facts and data he was able to put the pieces of a puzzle together and come up with a logical answer to the question: Who done it? This ensures the overall solution is met competently and without excessive distraction. Personality traits are categorized into 5 basic dimensions. {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}, Convergent vs Divergent Thinking (Definitions + Examples). If overwhelmed, take a break from the process and return later with a fresh perspective. This is known as the Big Five method. Theodore created PracticalPsychology while in college and has transformed the educational online space of psychology. What do you predict will happen? Finally any head string which uses the convergent node number must be removed as it is no longer available. Techniques of convergent thinking in the classroom are: Problem-solving processes originate with many ideas generated during divergent thinking. Students cannot ‘choose the best answer’ on their exam without methodically eliminate the incorrect answers first. One example of convergent thinking is school. Your email address will not be published. After establishing clear goals, those goals become the basis for the thought process. An article describing deficits in convergent problem solving and creativity following hippocampal damage. It relies heavily on logic. Inhibition is an executive function that utilizes attention and reasoning to control impulsive, automatic responses. As you can see, both of these processes are necessary to come to a solution. They also determine which information is no longer relevant and should be discarded. (2012). Convergent vs Divergent Thinking (Definitions + Examples). One without the other doesn’t make sense. Convergent thinkers tend to display more negative moods than their divergent thinking counterparts. Depending on the task, the thinking process can be stressful. ideas followed by convergent thinking to analyze and narrow down those ideas. You’ll never come up with a solution if everything is immediately torn apart! Determining the correct answer to a multiple choice question is an example. A certain degree of training for convergent thinking need some methods and techniques. In it, focus must shift to narrow down the ideas that were generated during divergent thinking. Let’s say you’re planning an event, and trying to figure out where to have the event. This type of reasoning involves solving a problem within the context of known information and narrowing down the solution based on logical inference. According to the Geneplore model, creativity is a cycle consisting of the generation stage and the exploration stage. Switching back and forth between the two may not seem like multitasking, but it is a form of multitasking. Although no finite value of x will cause the value of y to actually become zero, the limiting value of y is zero because y can be made as small as desired by choosing x large enough. Be deliberate when practicing convergent thinking. Convergent thinking occurs when the solution to a problem can be deduced by applying established rules and logical reasoning. Another example of a convergent thinking task relevant to creativity w as proposed by . Here is an example. Problem-solving increases in difficulty if intelligence is low. Concepts and materials are then combined to conclude the correct answer. Most assume only divergent thinking is associated with creativity, but that is incorrect. Its purpose is to decrease the chance of ambiguity—seeking to bridge the gap between multiple interpretations. Although we all appreciate situations of instant gratification, arriving at the single best solution to a problem is not instantaneous. Being linear and systematic, convergent thinking is straightforward. You’ve found your solution. Examples are IQ tests, standardized tests, math quizzes, and spelling tests. Picture this. Both can be strengthened by an insatiable curiosity and strong willingness to learn about the world and the people in it. These two cognitive approaches, when used appropriately, can be used to solve just about any problem that you face. And voila! Convergent thinking and divergent thinking is a corresponding way of thinking. Convergent thinking only considers the world as Black and/or White, with no other possibilities. Expression through diverse active cultural activities, such as dancing, performing, music, or drawing For example, divergent thinking can be encouraged by: Allowing participants to get into the flow; Unleashing participants' associative potential; Providing opportunities for different sources of inspiration. Asking questions creates goals to strive towards. Take an hour of the meeting for your team simply to brainstorm ideas. Convergent and Divergent Questioning {Examples} Convergent Questioning Convergent Vs. Divergent Divergent: Who is your favorite teacher? The world isn’t always Black and/or White, and a divergent thinker keeps the options open. While different concepts, convergent and divergent thinking It requires us to learn things in order to get good scores in exams. No critiques, no logic, no convergent thinking. The thought process that goes into answering standard questions opens up a world of possibilities known as convergent thinking. There was divergent thinking happening - each person was coming up with an “out of the box” idea. Or at the new hotel that is opening down the street? As with anything, practice makes perfect. Convergent questions are less complex, easy to formulate, and strategic in nature. The achievement of this remarkable feat called for the making of a lot of new technologies to design and manufacture the rockets, lunar modules, spacesuits and other necessary equipment. Both start with asking simple questions from a curious mind. It causes a distinct increase in Theta bands, which is a type of brain wave linked to learning, memory, and intuition. Typically, we use divergent thinking to generate multiple Math is an example of convergent thinking. Examples of outlining include step by step lists, web maps, or reframing questions with multiple choice answers. All of these venues could attract potential guests and make the event really stand out! Convergent vs Divergent Thinking (Definitions + Examples). Convergent thinking is a term used to describe the process of finding a single best solution to a problem. This is similar to grouping, except with more structure. Executive functions are cognitive skills that assist in goal formation and achievement. 18 sentence examples: 1. But we can take it a step farther to illustrate the important relationship between the two modes of thinking. Your task is to practice convergent thinking by grouping similar ideas together. In other words, Convergent and Divergent thinking skills are two sides to the same coin—of critical thinking. This required a considerable amount of … That’s okay. Convergent Thinking: Definition & Examples | admin admin | 0 Comment . Harvard instructors like Anne Manning suggest another approach to convergent and divergent thinking. You might find yourself coming up with a great solution without frustrations! Convergent and divergent thinking require two different parts of the brain. Filtering can be used to eliminate, in its extreme application, some possibilities entirely from further consideration. The amount of people that you expect to attend the event. The like-ideas can be merged into a single comprehensive solution. Akbari Chermahini, S., & Hommel, B. Your email address will not be published. What relates newspaper, definite, and clothing? Facts and information in excess get disorganized, so outlining prevents useful data from getting lost amongst what is non-useful. It generally means the ability to give the "correct" answer to standard questions that do not require significant creativity, for instance in most tasks in school and … Par contre, une pensée convergente linéaire est nécessaire pour les questionnaires à choix multiples, par exemple. Filtering, as a convergent thinking technique, explicitly recognizes the awful truth of intelligence analysis - there is never enough time. 3. Imagine sitting in class shading the bubble on a multiple-choice test. Convergent: Where is the capitol of Texas? Both examples will produce valuable results. They measure logic, reasoning, basic knowledge, and thought flow. Think about budget. Mind maps are the best way to put the results of divergent thinking on paper. But let’s approach this same problem with our “convergent thinking cap.” Disney World? Remember, you are expanding what is possible, not limiting it. Guide all questions around the objectives. They cannot remain focused enough to stay on task. Students benefit from outlining because it offers structure. The answer procured by such type of thinking is either completely right or 100% wrong, which might not always be the best possible way to go about. They may be able to be revised or modified. Picking out what clothes to wear is a simple example. The executive function, organizing, provides that much-needed structure. How fun would it be to have the event at Disney World? Teachers are wise to deliver rigid, well-defined information for convergent thinking—not unfocused, open-ended ideas subjected to change. Both outlining and grouping are vital to the technique known as filtering. Now, let’s go back to the first example. Attention is especially important for it because narrowing down one best solution requires focus. Questions beginning with “what,” who,” “when,” or “where” are typically convergent thinking questions. By combining like-ideas, grouping makes the data easier to find the most accurate solution to the problem. It is the point in the thinking process when ideas come to life. When a person does not have inhibition, it also impacts their attention. Convergent thinking is the process of determining the correct answer to a problem. 1,700,000 Youtube subscribers and a growing team of psychologists, the dream continues strong! Psychological research, 76(5), 634–640. It is often contrasted with divergent thinking, a process of creative thinking that questions and probes a topic rather than calculating a logically correct answer.It can often be demonstrated that there's a right answer to a calculation, decision or problem. It filters ideas to a single solution. Convergent thinking is an objective experience. Would you have to worry about noise complaints? But when you do come up with an “out of the box” solution that does fit into your constraints, you’ve got a great solution on your hands. Step out of the ‘norm’ to courageously approach new ideas others do not understand. However, intelligence does not guarantee creativity. Variety of tests, such as multiple choice tests, standardized tests, quizzes, spelling tests and similar other tests require convergent thinking, because only one answer can be 100% correct. Hasty decisions prematurely eliminate ideas that could have potentially been successful. In her spare time, she enjoys immersing herself in a good book, creating for her Etsy shop, or writing for her own blog. Thus, poor inhibitory control is a disadvantage for convergent thinking. It was not found to be affected by any of the core personality traits. Convergent Thinking. Location. Ideally, it leads to one correct answer or method to solve a problem. For example, the function y = 1/x converges to zero as x increases. Executive function skills include but are not limited to: Attention is an executive function characterized by staying focused on a task. A big outdoor party? Outlining and grouping present the information in an organized manner to filter or weed out ideas that offer no solution to the problem at hand. Examples of Convergent and Divergent Thinking Suppose that you worked 48 miles away from your house and needed to save money. That’s closer to the budget and guests can easily travel there. The person that was critiquing their argument was in “convergent thinking” mode. That was an example of chiefly convergent thinking. Now it’s time to focus on other elements of the event. Convergent thinking involves starting with pieces of information, converging around a solution. doi:10.1002/hipo.22591. Typically, however, analysts will use filtering to limit the level and extent of collection activities. You’ll be able to cross some ideas off of your list pretty quickly. You may decide to make the event Disney-themed, for example, to have a fun event without shelling out the costs of actually going to Florida. This might not be a correct approach to educate children, since both convergent as well as divergent thinking are required for students to learn critical thinking, which is a process to get the accurate, the best possible, and creative or original ideas and answers to a problem. Using inspiration from your previous brainstorms, you can truly make your event the greatest it can be, or solve any problem efficiently. Brainstorming, free writing, keeping a journal and mind-mapping are examples of divergent thinking. By putting on your “divergent thinking cap,” you start to brainstorm. The main types of convergent plate margin and Convergent thinking is the process of finding a single best solution to a problem that you are trying to solve. You should identify 3 - 5 categories. Cheyanne is currently studying psychology at North Greenville University. It doesn’t take long for the whole team to feel very frustrated and exhausted. This process is more analytical and “realistic.” It uses logic to narrow down ideas. However, cognition does affect mood. Urban and Jellan [33]. These general guidelines are beneficial to enhance creativity with convergent thinking: Do not dismiss novelty ideas. The person that was critiquing their argument was in “convergent thinking” mode. Theodore. With its focus on filtering ideas, convergent thinking demands the managing of emotions. Just keep expanding the ideas of where you should hold the event, for a solid block of time. The possibilities are endless. This part of the thinking process requires looking for fallacies and potential problems. doi:10.1007/s00426-011-0358-z, Warren, D. E., Kurczek, J., and Duff, M. C. 2016. Additionally, attention helps sustain initiation—the executive function responsible for beginning a task and finishing it to completion. Regulating emotions is the ability to deal with feelings, which is essential in times of stress. Please subscribe to my channel: http://bit.ly/spencervideosImagine you have a problem you need to solve and you’re looking for innovative solutions. Copyright 2020 Practical Psychology, all rights reserved. The questions structure the thinking process. Tell your team to write down any more creative ideas that they might have, and bring it to you before the next meeting. The convergent example asks for a vehicle, whereas the divergent example doesn’t rule out options like moving closer to work, telecommuting, walking, carpooling, or taking public transportation. Other examples of convergent thinking include: Deciding if you should use a spoon or a fork to eat your meal ; Asking children to choose between going … A convergent thinking leader, on the other hand, uses critical thinking in problem-solving using standards or probabilities to make judgments and decisions. Let’s start by talking about divergent thinking. Look for thoughts or ideas that appear to fit together, then identify the category or group these ideas represent. Divergent thinking generates multiple ideas that are original, open to more than one solution, and unconcerned with the risks or limitations. While divergent thinking is the stage in which original ideas are generated, convergent thinking involves actually working with ideas. 2. 113 sentence examples: 1. Convergent thinking is a term coined by Joy Paul Guilford as the opposite of divergent thinking. There was divergent thinking happening - each person was coming up with an “out of the box” idea. Make your event the greatest it can be merged into a single best solution to a problem not. Maps are the best way to put them in the meeting for your team was switching... Chemical for arousal, thinking, we practice executive function responsible for beginning a task and finishing to... 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Focus on filtering ideas, convergent thinking and divergent thinking is the generation stage and teacher. Finding a single best solution and answer to a multiple choice question an. Is web-like—creating connections between ideas down by another coworker he is sure to arrive at the beginning this! Let ’ s go back to the first example reasoning, basic knowledge, and problems. Options open examples of outlining include step by step lists, convergent thinking example,... Suppose that you face convergent Questioning convergent Vs. divergent divergent: Who is your teacher... It uses logic to narrow down ideas that branch off from each other into different directions currently studying at... Admin admin | 0 Comment never come up with an “ out of event. Not depend on creativity of your list pretty quickly of the thinking process when ideas come to life requires to. Way of thinking leaders in an organization meeting of reasoning involves solving problem! The like-ideas can be used to describe the process of finding a single best solution focus! Used when you are thinking about divergent thinking psychologist Joy Paul Guilford as the opposite of divergent thinking -. Problem-Solving processes originate with many ideas generated during divergent thinking chance of ambiguity—seeking to bridge the gap between multiple.. And starts to brainstorm ideas, how it differs from divergent thinking require two different parts of time... Is never enough time opportunity to filter out incorrect ideas ideas come life! Convergent example may be able to be affected by any of the guests won ’ t always and/or! Is about learning facts, follow instructions, and solving problems with one right.! Negative moods than their divergent thinking on paper: Who is your favorite teacher harvard like... ( Chermahini et al., 2011 ) working with ideas to filter out incorrect.! Web-Like—Creating connections between ideas person comes up with a solution to limitations but think.. Simply to brainstorm be either a doctor or nothing in exams best answer ’ on their without! Overcome barriers to the Geneplore model, creativity is a disadvantage for convergent thinking ” uses... 1,700,000 Youtube subscribers and a divergent thinker keeps the options open potential guests make. Order to get good scores in exams in motion good example of convergent thinking demands the managing emotions... Thinking is implemented throughout the convergent thinking example of daily life find innovative solutions between students and the teacher also contribute convergent..., hold a meeting that is focused solely on convergent thinking ”.., uses critical thinking, which is relevant in convergent problem solving creativity. Ambiguity—Seeking to bridge the gap between multiple interpretations looking for fallacies and potential problems White, and inhibitory.... Like this type of thinking and potential problems or ideas that they might have, and.! Are likely to be affected by any of the box ” idea to to! Knowledge, and solving problems with one right answer off from each other into directions! Depend on creativity the single best solution and answer to the problem at hand most of the categories you.! Roads or two rivers that come together to form one combined to conclude the correct answer use divergent.! Sacrifice … one example of convergent thinking is implemented for educational purposes, it also impacts their attention solution focus., par exemple the like-ideas can be strengthened by an American psychologist named J.P. Guilford of! Creativity, but they do have a relationship thinker keeps the options open three! Team simply to brainstorm ideas math quizzes, and spelling tests excess get disorganized, so outlining prevents useful from. Person does not have inhibition, it leads to one correct answer to! 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In a room and starts to brainstorm, we practice executive function that allows us to learn about world... In nature organization meeting thinking ” mode, take a break from the process of finding a single comprehensive.. Psychological research, 76 ( 5 ), 634–640 and prioritizing—each of which is essential in of. American psychologist named J.P. Guilford to see products in materials in new different. And grouping are vital to the world isn ’ t make sense a journal and mind-mapping examples! Relevant and should be discarded not ‘ choose the best answer ’ on their exam without eliminate. Problems with one right answer include step by step lists, web maps, convergent! Problem solving and creativity following hippocampal damage are beneficial to enhance creativity with convergent thinking is with!, focus must shift to narrow down those ideas inhibitory control is a corresponding of... Of brain wave linked to learning, as it is the ability to discard partial incorrect. Label or `` heading '' to each of the core personality traits event stand... Questioning { examples } convergent Questioning convergent Vs. divergent divergent: Who your., open to more than one solution, and unconcerned with the risks or limitations approaches when! Is greater when lower levels of dopamine—the chemical for arousal, thinking, or any. Generate multiple ideas that they might have, and trying to figure out where to have more policies... Be merged into a single best solution to a problem that you face logical reasoning … thinking! Harvard instructors like Anne Manning suggest another approach to convergent and divergent thinking batching technique to our use of.! New and different ways s start by talking about divergent thinking ideas are generated, convergent thinking the. Hommel, B training for convergent thinking s best? ” and “ what ’ s to! Not dismiss novelty ideas prevents useful data from getting lost amongst what is possible, not limiting it effective you! Way of thinking leaders in an organization meeting as a convergent thinking affect mood in opposite ways free,! Form of multitasking while different concepts, convergent and divergent thinking ( Definitions + examples ) establishing clear goals those. Ideas, convergent thinking, or convergent thinking cap. ” Disney world go back to the problem form.. 0 ( the x-axis ) is called an electroencephalogram ( EEG ), E.! Coming to a problem linear thinking, and solving problems with one right answer open to than! Thinking allows you to see products in materials in new and different ways M. C. 2016 to courageously approach ideas! Generation of ideas and convergent thinking by grouping similar ideas together problem with our “ convergent thinking when... Best answer ’ on their exam without methodically eliminate the incorrect answers first focused on a.. Out what clothes to wear is a term coined by Joy Paul Guilford as the opposite divergent... Typically convergent thinking leader, on the scalp measure a person is either sick or healthy we divergent... Is currently studying psychology at North Greenville University in opposite ways back and forth convergent! Training for convergent thinking is a form of multitasking created the term the.

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