Creativity and

Problem Solving
Creative Thinking: Why??

 What are the values of creative thinking?

(see pp. 10-11)
 Which do you find most motivating?
Creative Thinking: What??
Original (New)
 Original as in "novel" as opposed to
"something new brought forth out of
nothing."
 New perspectives and combinations of the
same old stuff!
Creative Thinking: What??
Relevant (Useful)
 All creative thinking is original, but not all
original thinking is creative.
 Creativity is goal-directed originality.
 Have you ever thought, "Cool! But what can
you DO with it?"
Creative Thinking: What??
Lateral (Divergent)
 Differs from the typical focus on convergent
thinking (linear & evaluative).
 Requires you to go outside of the boundaries.
 Focuses on generating rather than developing
ideas.
 Self-reflexive: constantly engaged in "thinking
about thinking."
Give it a Try!
Are You Self-Reflexive?

Complete the sequence…

O T T F F S S E N __

Don’t forget to think about your thinking!

Creative Thinking: What??

Creative Thinking
Generative Critical Thinking
Evaluative

Effective Problem Solving

Creative Thinking: How??
 Innate or learned?
 See Alex Osborne quote on p. iv.
 Assisted by creativity enhancing tools
(Brainstorms, see list on pp. ix-x).
 Vary in sophistication and detail.
 Some take more time and resources and some
less.
 Choose strategies as they apply to specific
goals and situations.
Creative Thinking: Who??
For the few or the many?
 Peak creativity: Major creative efforts and
outcomes.
 Not everyone has this sort of experience.
 Extent of involvement: A quality of the ordinary
problem solving processes uses in tackling
everyday issues.
 Everyone can apply these qualities.
Ordinary Problem Solving Leading to
Creative Outcomes
 Extensive preparation

 Extended effort

 Tolerance for ambiguity

 But not "preference" for ambiguity
 Calculated risk taking
 But not "reckless" risk taking
Characteristics of the Creative
Thinking Individual
Noncomformist
Independent
Confident
Curious
Persistent
Characteristics of the Creative
Thinking Mind
 Fluency: Number of different ideas

 Flexibility: Variety in ideas

 Originality: Uniqueness of ideas

 Elaboration: Detail offered in ideas

 Association: Depth/complexity of idea system

Creative Thinking: Who??

What can we
learn from
creative
individuals
throughout
history?
Creative Thinking: Who??
 Quality is a function of quantity.
 Role models are important in creative
development.
 Creative achievement has a snowballing effect.
 Develop networks of enterprise (a variety of
different but related projects to allow creative
effort to continue if one should result in an
impasse).
 Establish clear, long-range goals and plans.
 Break major projects into subtasks.
Creative Thinking Process

 Examine on pp. 20-25

 How does it differ from the Reflective
Thinking Process as we have covered it?
 Consider Isaac Asimov comment on p. 21.
 Can you think of a time when "incubation"
helped you in a creative venture?
Creative Thinking: General
Guidelines
Work to acquire information
 Read with variety and voracity.
 Interact broadly, especially with other
creatives.
Creative Thinking: General
Guidelines
Spend time and energy thinking about
the problems you face
 Recognize and avoid perceptual filters (be
self-reflexive).
 Massage them ideas!!
 Physical and psychological change is a
good thing.
Creative Thinking: General
Guidelines
Respect your ideas
 Record them!
 Organize them!
 Respect enough to expect!!
Creative Thinking: General
Guidelines
Think like a creative
 That means "like you are a..." not
necessarily "like someone else who is a…"
 Sell yourself on yourself.
Creative Thinking: General
Guidelines
Face your fears
 Remember the scoffers who become
scoffees.
 Intuition can be powerful. (I'm not really sure
why, but I know it to be true!)
 Take risks.