Vertical thinking vs lateral thinking creative4mmu. Since that time the magnitude and importance of this subject has grown to a level that may determine the very survival of the united states as we have known it. It involves ideas that may not be obtainable using only traditional stepbystep logic. This book is intended for use both at home and at school. In vertical thinking one moves forward by sequential steps each of which must be justified lateral thinking is not a substitute for vertical thinking. Differences between vertical and lateral thinking in our world we are governed by rules and structure, and there is a great deal of time spent developing them. Here well talk you through what the ability is, and give some examples of lateral thinking skills. Although the reasoning may not be immediately obvious, and not obtainable by using only traditional stepbystep logic, it does work in a more. It could be said that it is the opposite of lateral thinking.
They are dependable, structured, and get the job done just as they are expected to do. May 09, 2016 bono says that we need lateral thinking only about 5% of the times rest of the times, vertical thinking is what will help us live in the world. Vertical vs lateral thinking in healthcare howard j. How can you determine which switch is connected to which bulb if you may enter the room only once. Lateral thinking puzzleslateral thinking puzzlespuzzles background. His most notable technique, lateral thinking, aims at.
However, when putting a complex piece of machinery together using a manual, you need to do every step exactly and. Lateral thinking involves looking at a situation or problem from a unique or unexpected point of view. Conditional thinking fails you in exploring the other possibilities or probably the best ideas. A vertical thinker is analytical, careful and precise, taking the data around a problem and analysing it with defined methodologies to find logical solutions. We generally learn in sequence, and organize in the same type of order as most everyone else like filing things according to name, subject or date so our lives are less cluttered and. Vertical thinking is a finite process, lateral thinking is a probablistic one. Lateral thinking how can lateral thinking help you. If you are still not clear, here are the 6 top classic examples of exactly how lateral thinking works. Lateral thinking is a manner of solving problems using an indirect and creative approach via reasoning that is not immediately obvious. Vertical thinking is a type of approach to problems that usually involves one. Bono says that we need lateral thinking only about 5% of the times rest of the times, vertical thinking is what will help us live in the world. I have made some attempts on lateral thinking and it was published as an e book,eye doctor out of the box. Creativity and creative thinking lateral and vertical thinking genius.
Traditional medical training may actually impede a physicians ability to solve complex problems because it is based on vertical, linear and traditional thinking. Linear thinking is based on logic, rules and rationality to solve a problem a person who uses linear thinking is constant. The windows on both sides of the body have holes in them. Complimenting the use of logical vertical thinking, lateral thinking can be used to. Lateral thinking connects brands with people through experiences in spaces, actions and content. People who think sidebyside more often have more difficulty focusing on tasks that require steps whose order can not be altered, but also often produce interesting solutions to thorny problems. After all of the rethinking in the preceding chapters, we think we are able to present a. Through this method, both lateral and vertical thinking are more likely. Creative thinking that is out of the box and arrives at solution from another angle.
What is the difference between lateral thinking and linear. Vertical thinking encourages a sequential approach. Difference between lateral and vertical thinking from lateral thinking, by e. This book is about lateral thinking which is the process of using information to bring about creativity and insight restructuring. So we are happy doing the same thing as we did yesterday, be. Information processing and new ideaslateral and vertical thinking. It is possible to acquire skill in it just as it is possible to acquire skill in mathematics. Lateral thinking is quite distinct from vertical thinking which is the traditional type of thinking. I like how the author defines the tell lateral thinking compared to vertical thinking. Lateral thinking can be learned, practiced and used.
Vertical versus lateral thinking article pdf available in physician executive 343. This book and its concepts should be introduced in our primary education system and kids should be taught to inculcate lateral thinking in heir day by day world. Find books like lateral thinking from the worlds largest community of readers. Lateral thinking, on the other hand, is using an indirect and creative approach to come to a. The first practical explanation of how creativity works, this resultsoriented bestseller trains listeners to move beyond a vertical mode of thought to tap the potential of lateral thinking. Differences between vertical and lateral thinking memorise. Systems thinking, design thinking, strategic thinking. Lateral thinking means thinking differently or thinking out of the box. A new way of thinking that opens a door they didnt. A critical thinker is able to identify the main contention in an issue, look for evidence that supports or opposes that contention, and assess the strength of the reasoning, while. Traditional thinking that is selective, analytic, and sequential.
May 09, 2020 sometimes it is best if vertical thinking and lateral thinking are combined. Vertical thinking rewards the depth of our knowledge. As opposed to vertical thinking, lateral thinking tries to identify different directions of solving a problem. Penguin books australia ltd, 250 camberwell road, camberwell, victoria 3124, australia. With lateral thinking, a problem that seems insurmountable eventually becomes surmountable. Lateral thinking is something that we all need to develop and use in our daily lives because it gets results. Lateral thinking is a way of thinking that seeks a solution to an intractable problem through unorthodox methods or elements that would. Based on my research and observation, lateral thinking is one of those terms that many people have heard of, but probably very few of us really know what it means. Some of the most outstanding points of difference are indicated below.
It attempts to break traditional notions which develop vertical or conditional thinking. The vertical thinker understands how to put the shelf together quickly and correctly, following each step precisely. Nov, 2006 vertical thinking is a type of approach to problems that usually involves one being selective, analytical, and sequential. Managed health care, compensationbased guidelines and the need for costeffective systems fueled the necessity to deliver valuebased, highquality patient care. According to wikipedia, lateral thinking is solving problems through an indirect and creative approach, using reasoning that is not immediately obvious and involving ideas that may not be obtainable by using only traditional stepbystep logic.
I originally wrote this article under a different title in january of 2005. Lateral thinking is more concerned with the movement value of statements and ideas. In the book, the concept of vertical thinking can be seen with many parallels with that of critical thinking. A way of thinking that seeks a solution to an intractable problem through unorthodox methods or elements that would normally be ignored by logical thinking. Vertical thinking is a type of approach to problems that usually involves one being selective, analytical, and sequential. Lateral thinking takes the indirect approach to solve problems. He calls one vertical thinking, which uses the processes of logicthe traditional, historical method. A lateral thinker understands vertical thinking, but chooses to deliberately outside. Break down the no barrier the mind can reject any concept it wishes. The first practical explanation of how creativity works, this resultsoriented bestseller trains listeners to move beyond a vertical mode of thought to.
It essentially means being able to think creatively or outside the box in order to solve a problem. The opening statement of debonos book was, most people think that traditional vertical thinking is the only possible form of effective thinking. They are the analysts of the world, the star student with the highest grades and they dont make many mistakes. Lateral thinking involves coming at the problem from new directions literally, from the side.
In contentional thinking, we go forward in a predictable, direct fashion. Lateral thinking is a stepbystep method of creative thinking with prescribed techniques that can be used consciously. Goodreads members who liked lateral thinking also liked. Jul 20, 2017 the vertical thinking trait of a medical student is often suppressed as heshe becomes a doctor. Then he proceeded to defend lateral thinking as if it were besieged by an onslaught of vertical thinkers. He was a fisherman who had just caught a very big fish. Here is the wiki link lateral thinking wikipedia but, how do we think outofbox or lateral. In the book, the concept of vertical thinking can be seen to have many parallels with that of critical thinking. This is the core chapter of this book, about the complexity of complexity. Lateral thinking can be learned, practised and used.
Creativity and creative thinking lateral and vertical thinking. The book should be of use to teachers who are looking for a practical. Vertical thinking is a type of approach that is usually selective, analytical, and sequential. In the digital world though, i find the book i am looking for and 5 others that are related to the first. Unlike lateral thinking that involves using added intuition, risk taking, and. Before that we need to understand the current thinking process. A person would use lateral thinking when they want to move from one known idea to creating new ideas. Do a find someone who with the questions and answers. Problem lateral pressure steel structures design for lateral and vertical forces steel structures design for lateral and vertical forces, second edition book. Complimenting the use of logical vertical thinking, lateral thinking can. At school the emphasis has traditionally always been on vertical thinking which is effective but incomplete. Direct teaching of thinking as a skill cort cognitive research trust thinking. There is nothing wrong with being a vertical thinker.
In brief, lateral thinking involves looking at problem from a different angle. Finally, he sets out the four main categories of the techniques of lateral thinking. Critical thinking is used with caution, while thinking can be spontaneous. Analytical thinking the ability to visualise, articulate, and solve both complex and uncomplicated problems and concepts to make decisions that are sensible and based on available information. Lateral thinking means taking a creative approach to a problem or challenge. For instance, perhaps a lateral thinker and a vertical thinker are putting together a particle board bookshelf. I want to find a book, i look on the shelf and there it is. Thinking can be classified as an action, while critical thinking can be said to be a skill. Using unconnected input to open up new lines of thinking. In the book, the concept of vertical thinking can be seen to have many.
This book gives am idea on what lateral thinking is, how it alongside vertical thinking is the most deadliest tool an individual can have in solving any problem. First published in 1967 as the use of lateral thinking, this classic international bestseller remains as relevant to learning, problem solving and creative thinking today as it did when it was first published. This lesson is going to define these two topics and. Vertical thinking is a sequence of direct and logical steps that are used to come to a conclusion. What are analytical, critical and lateral thinking skills. Three switches outside a windowless room are connected to three light bulbs inside the room. Systems thinking there is no single book that i have come cross to understand this, though i hear fifth discipline is one. Physician leaders operate in a realm of uncertainty and guide complex adaptive health care systems. I have made some attempts on lateral thinking and it was published as an e book,eye doctor out of the box isbn 9781878284. Vertical thinking follows the tried and tested ways, while lateral thinking is more likely. Lateral thinking lateral thinking is often seen as the opposite of vertical thinking.
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