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Glite Dictionary
divergent thinking

divergent thinking

6.3
A way of thinking that comes up with many different ideas to solve a problem
  • noun
  • /dɪˈvɜrdʒənt ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/
translation icon : pensamiento divergente
  • In brainstorming sessions, we encourage divergent thinking to generate as many ideas as possible.
  • divergent thinking and creativity
  • divergent thinking tasks
  • divergent thinking problems

Well, there are creativity tests called divergent thinking tests.

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Examples

  • Moreover, measures of creativity require divergent thinking applied to solving specific problems rather than open-ended imagining.

    Academic text (1990)

  • The second stage of questioning invites divergent thinking, which implies that there are a number of responses or answers.

    Academic text (2015)

  • Because there is always more than one way to solve a problem, divergent thinking is encouraged.

    Academic text (2002)

  • The tasks begin very simply and progress to higher levels of difficulty in terms of divergent thinking.

    Academic text (1991)

  • Favorite teaching strategies include divergent thinking, role playing, and simulations.

    Academic text (1991)

  • IQ and creativity are two independent variables that share one thing in common: divergent thinking.

    Academic text (1993)

  • We try to assess their problem-solving skills, divergent thinking abilities, and ability to think independently.

    Blog text (2)

  • Well, these sorts of divergent thinking tests embraced a larger spectrum of human intellect and creativity.

  • Most of these measures of creativity have focused on divergent thinking (Torrance, 1974) and creative personality (Gough, 1979).

    Academic text (2009)

  • Teachers promote divergent thinking by asking students to come up with multiple solutions to a problem.

Synonyms

ideation
vsdivergent thinking
  • Jargon
6 7.9

To think of new plans or solutions for a problem

is focused on producing many different varied solutions rather than developing them
creative thinking
vsdivergent thinking
5 3.7

Thinking in new ways to make things or solve problems

stresses generating many varied ideas rather than general imaginative ability
lateral thinking
vsdivergent thinking
1 5.3

A way to solve problems by looking at them from new angles

focuses on producing many varied solutions rather than on the method
out of the box thinking
vsdivergent thinking
  • Jargon
1 4.4

To solve problems using new creative ideas

emphasises generating many different ideas rather than only being unconventional
blue-sky thinking
vsdivergent thinking
  • Jargon
1 6.4

A way to find new ideas that ignores practical limits

aims to produce many varied ideas but may ignore practical feasibility

Antonyms

convergent thinking
  • Specialized
7.4

A way of using facts and reason to reach a single correct answer

How Creative

divergent thinking
6.3
convergent thinking
  • Specialized
7.4

Surface Forms

divergent thinking singular
divergent thinkings plural

Morphology

divergent + thinking

The noun phrase is compositionally built from 'divergent' (tending to move apart or be different) + 'thinking' (mental activity), so its meaning of producing many different ideas is directly inferable from the constituents. This follows a standard adjective+noun pattern and has close parallels in other languages, making it readily understandable to learners who know both words.

Etymology

The term divergent thinking comes from the image of a road or river that splits into many paths. Divergent means 'moving apart' and thinking means 'making ideas', so the phrase means 'coming up with many different ideas'.