Convergent Thinking Versus Divergent Thinking

Description:

Imagine you have a problem you need to solve and you’re looking for innovative solutions. In this moment, there’s a good chance you’ll choose one of two cognitive approaches. In 1956, the psychologist J.P. Guilford coined the terms convergent thinking and divergent thinking to describe these contrasting approaches.

Convergent thinking is linear and systematic while divergent thinking is web-like, focusing on the connections between ideas.

Convergent thinking narrows down multiple ideas into a single solution.
On the other hand, divergent thinking expands outward by generating multiple ideas, often thinking like a hacker and using materials in original ways. Here, you treat barriers as design opportunities.

Convergent thinking tends to be more focused (target) while divergent thinking is more flexible and iterative.

Convergent thinking is analytical and focused on what’s best.
By contrast, divergent thinking is open-ended.
Participants are encouraged to take creative risks.
even though some ideas might not work.

Convergent thinking asks, “Why?” Divergent thinking asks, “Why not?”
While these might seem like competitive approaches, they actually go hand-in-hand.
Often, teams will use divergent thinking to generate multiple ideas followed by convergent thinking to analyze and narrow down ideas.

Later, they might use divergent thinking to come up with fresh perspectives, followed by convergent thinking, in an ongoing cycle.

[By.GraceMae]

I really liked the explanation and animations but found the volume of the background music to be a bit too high and distracting from your calm voice. It was hard to follow your voice and at times the music really got in the way. Thanks for the explanation though :)

[nurmilner]

So simple yet thorough explanation! Brilliant!

[TeachersOnFire]

Amazing work! Thanks for sharing this, John. Divergent thinking is the bedrock of 21st century skills and competencies. One of my favorite computational skills is "tolerance for ambiguity." As AJ would say, chef> cook.

[flying-sandals]

Love this! Clear, concise and great delivery.

[alexthompson]

This was a fantastic explanation. Thank you!

[michaelflores]

Great video. Need to balance the background audio. Music at times is too loud to hear the narration.

[invertedfreak]

I'm definitely divergent in my thinking. I rarely, if never use convergent thought

[rogerclark]

Finally get it. thankyou. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD but couldn't get my head around the concept.

[agnesuknow]

We're using this video in class 😌👏

[abandcalledwoof]

Simple, well explained and to the point. Thanks for sharing this!

[connorellen]

Great explainer video. Definitely see how these different ways of thinking are powerful companions with my business partner and I.

[_prasunkrmondal]

I've my college semester exams in 12 hours, thanks for the video.

[PunmasterSTP]

The background music was a bit high, but I still appreciated the explanation and it was a nice video 👍

[zeeder]

cool stuff! just on your next video try find a nice background jingle instead of this intense stuff :)

[bethany-bpkfilms]

dope video.
thanks for explaining this so well

[jumbosays]

What if I can do Convergent Thinking and Divergent Thinking in managing businesses? Is it gifted or normal in the aspect of psychology intelligence of business management? Is it helps in the long term or am I too aware in achieving successes?

[sreerk]

could you exemplify, so that we are able to relate to it. For example, a problem in a board room, convergent thinking opposed to divergent thinking, or as illustrated in your video, the team uses convergent thinking to come up with a plausible solution. Then they use divergent thinking to look at various perspectives.

[ohplease]

The music is too loud, and I am grateful there is a transcript. I sincerely appreciate your content, but I suffer from sensory overload, so any instructional content that includes loud music or even music is very problematic for me. "Many people with ADHD are hypersensitive to auditory stimuli, such as loud music, and may experience sensory overload"

[priscillaknight]

Loved your animation describing convergent and divergent thinking! The music was awesome, deep thinking, inspiring, and action sounding. Perfect pair for the concepts!

[anigrapixravi]

Amazing work thanks for saving me tons of time.