Lateral Thinking
What It Is:
Lateral thinking is a term invented by Edward de Bono in 1967. According to the Oxford dictionary lateral thinking is defined as, "The solving of problems by an indirect and creative approach, typically through viewing the problem in a new and unusual light." This is the technical definition that is provided by the oxford dictionary, but the information about lateral thinking and exactly what it is, is heavily debated with false information. There is so much false information that Edward de Bono posted this statement on his official website, "On the Internet there is much misleading and erroneous information about 'lateral thinking'. Some of the sites make false claims about me and my work. Because this is my official website I want to take this opportunity of clarifying matters regarding lateral thinking." He followed this by giving several ways to define lateral term, from the technical definition to more illustrative definitions. They are as follows: (*the following definitions are copied from Edward de Bono's official website)1. "You cannot dig a hole in a different place by digging the same hole deeper" This means that trying harder in the same direction may not be as useful as changing direction. Effort in the same direction (approach) will not necessarily succeed.
2. "Lateral Thinking is for changing concepts and perceptions" With logic you start out with certain ingredients just as in playing chess you start out with given pieces. But what are those pieces? In most real life situations the pieces are not given, we just assume they are there. We assume certain perceptions, certain concepts and certain boundaries. Lateral thinking is concerned not with playing with the existing pieces but with seeking to change those very pieces. Lateral thinking is concerned with the perception part of thinking. This is where we organize the external world into the pieces we can then 'process'.
3. "The brain as a self-organizing information system forms asymmetric patterns. In such systems there is a mathematical need for moving across patterns. The tools and processes of lateral thinking are designed to achieve such 'lateral' movement. The tools are based on an understanding of self-organizing information systems." This is a technical definition which depends on an understanding of self-organizing information systems.
4. "In any self-organizing system there is a need to escape from a local optimum in order to move towards a more global optimum. The techniques of lateral thinking, such as provocation, are designed to help that change." This is another technical definition. It is important because it also defines the mathematical need for creativity.
Family Tree:
Edward de Bono doesn't give much credit to where he originally thought of Lateral Thinking. He explains it as an original idea that he coined in 1967, but there are some similarities to other theories. By doing some research I came to the conclusion that Lateral Thinking belongs under the Constructivism family tree. I believe this because the Constructivism theory is focused around the learners learning through the process rather than the outcome. Learners in the Constructivism theory also learn through more unconventional ways, and lateral thinking is extremely unconventional thinking. Lateral thinking also focuses on creative ways of thinking, which also draws many similarities to other constructivism models. So, even though Edward de Bono never gives credit to the Constructivism theory, I think that his lateral thinking model falls under it's family tree.Examples/Training Websites:
Lateral Thinking can be learned, it is not genetic. If you research on the internet they have puzzles and riddles that you can use to practice your lateral thinking abilities. They force you to think laterally to solve the problems. Here are some websites you can go to for practice:http://www.folj.com/lateral/
http://www.rinkworks.com/brainfood/p/latreal1.shtml
http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/puzzles.htm
http://www.thecourse.us/students/lateral_thinking.htm
If you really want to learn how to think laterally and are having problems using only the puzzles, you can sign up for a class.
http://www.debonotrainer.com/
Extras:
YouTube video of Edward de Bono explaining Lateral Thinking:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb9Oe83ruUw
Resources:
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/english/lateral-thinkinghttp://edwdebono.com/lateral-thinking
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