 Definition Lateral Thinking. Description.
Lateral Thinking is a term which was invented by
Edward De Bono in his Book: The Use of Lateral Thinking (1967).
It is a creative, fresh approach to problem solving by approaching problems
indirectly at diverse and unorthodox angles instead of concentrating on one
approach at length. Indeed, trying harder in the same direction may not be
as useful as changing direction. Effort in the same direction (approach) will
not necessarily succeed.
Lat. thinking is about reasoning that is not immediately obvious
and about ideas that may not be obtainable by using only traditional step-by-step
logic (comparable to Integrative Thinking). 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'.
De Bono identified four critical factors associated
with lateral thinking:
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Recognize dominant ideas that polarize perception of a problem.
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Searching for different ways of looking at things.
-
Relaxation of rigid control of thinking.
-
Use of chance to encourage other ideas. This last factor
has to do with the fact that lateral thinking involves low-probability ideas
which are unlikely to occur in the normal course of events.
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Compare with: Thinker's Keys | Brainstorming
| Design Thinking | Synectics |
TRIZ |
Technological Forecasting
| Gestalt Theory |
Mind Mapping |
Six Thinking Hats
| Metaplan |
Bounded Rationality
| Causal Ambiguity
| Stage-Gate |
Scenario Planning |
Game Theory |
Root Cause Analysis |
Paralysis by Analysis
| Dialectical Inquiry
| Analogical
Strategic Reasoning |
Theory of Constraints
| Force Field Analysis
| Catalytic Mechanisms
| Johari Window
| Coaching
| Mentoring
| Delphi Method
|
