How to Practice Divergent Thinking

Co-authored by Trudi Griffin, LPC, MS

Last Updated: February 9, 2024

Divergent thinking is an individual’s ability to generate multiple approaches to solving a problem. The divergent thinkers typically answer simple questions such as: what are the uses for a flower pot in hundreds of different ways. An average person would have 10 to 15 answers to this question. A genius of divergent thinking would come up with a hundred possible answers, and they do this by changing the concepts of already existing thinking – can the flower pot be 10 metres wide, or can it be made of rubber, and so forth. Divergent thinking is the ability to see lots of possible ways to interpret a question and lots of possible answers to it. ^{[1]
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Research source} Practicing divergent thinking is fun if you know what to do.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Defining Divergent Thinking

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Divergent thinking is a form of creative thinking, so it examines a problem using more of an out-of-the-box mindset. Instead of settling for a status-quo answer or no answer at all, you can try to solve the question by asking "what if I tried it this way?" It is a thought process used to generate creative ideas.^{[2]
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Research source} by exploring many possibilities. Instead of taking obvious steps and walking along a straight line, one looks at different aspects of the situation, creating different results. Divergent thinking encourages seeking and considering new and different methods, new and different opportunities, new and different ideas, generating new and different solutions.
Whereas the left side of our brain is rational, analytical, and controlling, our right hemisphere is where we acquire our creativity, intuition, and emotional expression. It plays a key role in divergent thinking and the creative problem solving that depends on it. Divergent thinking is spontaneous, free-flowing, non-linear manner. It uses lateral, nontraditional, and unconventional thinking.

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Deviate from the standard problem-solving techniques used in schools. Creative thinking is needed to solve problems; however, we don't really get to use it in the classroom. Instead, linear convergent thinking is required with multiple choice tests as a great example. This is not how a divergent thinking solves problem because it's associated with four main characteristics:
- Fluency – the ability to generate numerous ideas or solutions quickly;
- Flexibility – the ability to think about different ways to solve a problem at the same time;
- Originality – the ability to generate ideas that most people don't consider;
- Elaboration – the ability to not only think through the fine points of an idea but to carry it out as well.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Stimulating Your Divergent Thinking

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Explore the ways you learn, and then create new patterns. When you're done, think about them. For those ideas that are more theoretical, figure out how you can connect them to your life experiences and what you've learned from experiments you've conducted in the past.^{[3]
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Force yourself to see with unusual points of view. Divergent thinking is mostly found among people who are curious, willing to take risks, and persistent. Research shows that musicians are more likely to use both hemispheres of their brain and more likely to use divergent thinking in their thought processes.

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- By challenging your imagination, your brain gets used to new thinking patterns, and creating fresh ideas will become easier.
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Learn how to ask questions. Divergent thinking is not so much about finding answers as it is about asking the question to get to those answers. Asking the right questions will get you what you are seeking. Start with Who, What, Where & How. The simplicity is the key.
- The more you formulate specific questions that delve into the differences, the better your chance of succeeding.
- Simplify complicated matter by breaking it down into pieces. Then expose each one by asking, "What if?"

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Practicing the Divergent Thinking Techniques

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Brainstorm for ideas. This technique is a tool that builds upon ideas. One idea generates another idea, which then generates another idea, and so on until a list of random ideas is compiled in a creative, unstructured manner. When brainstorming in a group atmosphere, allow everyone to think more freely. Don't pursue a practical solution. Instead, gather ideas that have the slightest relevance to the problem itself.
- No idea is criticized, and all ideas are recorded.
- After a long list of ideas is generated, one can go back and review the ideas to critique their value or merit.
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Research source
Pantović Nataša, 2017, “Mindful Being towards Mindful Living Course”. Divergent Thinking and Using a Spiritual Journal (1). [Artof4elements Press, AoL Mindfulness Series Book #4]: pg43. ISBN-13: 978-9995754037.} Using a journal enables you to capture and record the spontaneous ideas that people can have during unusual times and places. One member of the brainstorming team can be assigned to write down those ideas. Then later on, that journal can become a source book of ideas that can be developed and organized.
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Write freely. Focus on one specific topic and continue to write about it for a short period of time.
learn acting creating own scenography, create a film or a video, draw a painting, use dancing and its choreography, use sculpting, or photography with its framing and lighting;
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Create a subject or mind-mapping visual. Put the brainstorming ideas in the form of a visual map or picture. Make sure the visuals show the relationships among the ideas. For instance, your topic may be how to open an NGO and help your surrounding plant more trees, help homeless, integrate immigrants.
- Write "Start an NGO" in the middle of a piece of paper and draw a circle around it.
- Let's say you have come up with four subtopics that include need, funding, community, and volunteers.
- Therefore, draw four lines, one for each subtopic, from the circle that contains your main topic. Your drawing will now look like a child's drawing of the sun.
- At the end of each of those four lines, draw a circle. Write one of the four subtopics in each of those smaller circles.
- Next, let's say that within each of those subtopics, you have generated two sub-subtopics. For instance, with "need" you thought of "more green spaces" and "community gatherings" and with "funding," you came up with "loan" and "government fundings."
- So draw two lines from each of the subtopic circles, creating what looks like mini suns with two rays.
- At the end of each line (or "ray"), draw a smaller circle and write those sub-subtopics in each.
- Once completed, this map can be used to further develop the topic. This includes both divergent and convergent thinking.
To acquire the best results, you will need to apply both divergent thinking and convergent thinking. They both play an important role in the process. Divergent thinking will supply the creativity while convergent thinking will analyze and evaluate those creative ideas and narrow them down.