Edward de Bono and lateral thinking

Edward de Bono and lateral thinking

The human being lives different situations throughout its existence. Some decisions are not simple to take from the perspective of reality itself. Faced with a reductionist look of that matter, it is possible to integrate creativity as a means to solve that issue. Lateral thinking leads to this purpose that allows human being to achieve a conclusion through its own methodology. In psychology-online, we reflect on the nature of this term formulated by Edward de Bono that shows a different path to reach the main issue in problem solving adding the imagination. In this article we reflect on this topic: Edward de Bono and lateral thinking.

You may also be interested: lateral and vertical thinking: differences, characteristics and index examples
  1. Bono Edward: Creator of lateral thought
  2. 6 Advantages of lateral or divergent thinking
  3. Books and works by Edward de Bono
  4. 4 lateral or divergent thinking exercises

Bono Edward: Creator of lateral thought

Edward de Bono, a graduate in Medicine and Specialist in Psychology, was born in Malta in 1933. He is the author of reference books. In "creative thinking" deepens the essence of lateral thinking as a means of innovation to develop new proposals. Lateral thinking or divergent thinking reflects a different look at reality, a vision that breaks with the scheme of the foreseeable logic to deepen beyond this aspect.

Faced with the analytical interpretation of reality, creativity is the basis of progress in the present and in the future. Therefore, this ingenuity represents the vision of a new paradigm from which to visualize new paths.

The importance of this vision is vital, for example, in the entrepreneurial spirit. A mission that starts from an attitude that is strengthened in this logic that, in turn, complements logical reasoning. Vertical thinking is one that is structured on the basis of logic. On the contrary, creative thinking is flexible.

¿Why it is so important to observe different situations of life from this ever of ingenuity? Because, through this prism, you can interpret a matter from different angles. And thanks to this, through the reinforcement of the experience, you increase your level of empowerment to conclude a novel response.

6 Advantages of lateral or divergent thinking

Lateral or divergent thinking constitutes one of the types of thought and entails a series of advantages. ¿What are the advantages offered by this look of reality?

  1. Thought influences action. Therefore, by adding the ingredient of creativity in the observation of an issue, this factor also moves to the scope of practical experience.
  2. Lateral thinking is an invitation to come out of the comfort zone In the usual reading of reality through a brainstorm. For example, through this look at reality you can find new functionalities to certain objects.
  3. Powerful questions. Another advantage of lateral thought is Creativity development. A lateral thought brings light in the answer through the approach of key questions.
  4. Flexibility. The essence of life is shown by the richness of nuances. The experience of living cannot be described through universally valid general statements in all cases. There are new situations that break with the perspective of previous experience and to which the protagonist has a proactive positioning when predisposed from the look of this approach.
  5. Human factor. At a time like the current one, in which the technological and technical resources are as present as an expression of innovation, this type of thought values ​​the unique essence of the person through their creativity and ingenuity.
  6. Identification of presussion that can boycott the ingenuity before a circumstance that acquires a new dimension under the sphere of this type of thought.

Books and works by Edward de Bono

Edward de Bono is the author of various reference books. Next, we show a selection of titles and works by this author that may interest you:

  • Six hats to think. This specific work is a guide that can promote the reader in the direction of having a greater perspective for issues related to life itself. That is, this learning can be practiced on a day -to -day basis.
  • Wisdom Manual. This is another title that you can find in the bookstores and value an inspiring concept: wisdom. To achieve this purpose, the reader can discover means and resources that lead him in this direction of creativity.
  • Six pairs of action for action. In this book by Edward de Bono, the reader can find "A solution for each problem and an approach to each solution". The content of this work takes action as the main objective.
  • Practical lateral thinking. This work reflects on this subject as an introduction around the definition, essence and practice of lateral thought.
  • Ideas for professionals who think. In this work by Edward de Bono you can find information with a perspective specially linked to the business field, one of the scenarios that has integrated the potential of lateral thinking as an expression of creativity.
  • Simplicity. In this book, the gaze of simplicity, in opposition to the perspective of the complex, describes a philosophy of life through which the human being can detach from the weight of unnecessary complications.

4 lateral or divergent thinking exercises

Next, we list 4 lateral or divergent thinking exercises that you can use to practice and develop creative thinking:

  1. The drawing. The drawing exercise allows shape to the essence of lateral thinking by valueing visual information.
  2. Division. Through this exercise of Division into smaller sections that make up the main issue, it is possible to deepen this issue from the perspective to the particular and the whole, observing the different possibilities from the elements that are part of the situation.
  3. Analogies. This technique allows Link two options different with some common characteristic through this formulation of lateral thought.
  4. SIX HAT THEORY. Each hat, of a different color, represents a perspective of thought. Therefore, from each point of view, the same matter can be observed differently. Metaphorically, a person can feel how their reality changes depending on the hat at that time.

This article is merely informative, in psychology-online we have no power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Edward de Bono and lateral thinking, We recommend that you enter our cognitive psychology category.