Creative Thinking

Much academic work needs to display Critical Thinking -

Making a ‘reading’ of something from a reasoned and objective position, discussion or ‘argument’
supported by evidence from a recognised frame of contextual reference.

Or Logical Thinking -
Decision making, problem solving, and navigating the world around us.

But often the outset of projects, written or practical, benefit from Creative Thinking -
Creating, generating or connecting ideas and influences through lateral thinking: the opposite of
normal logical thinking.

Documenting Creative Thinking involves ‘note making’ – organising and expanding ones own
thoughts, rather than ‘note taking’ – such as summarising other peoples’ thoughts.

Several Creative Thinking Techniques

Some say it is possible to culture creative thinking and keep your mind agile and active by
breaking habits – do something different everyday; different timings, journey routes, foods, etc..

You can also explore Incubating Thinking by putting the unresolved idea or problem into your
subconscious mind clearly and calmly, then let it ‘work through’ whilst you go about your
day/sleep/normal activities. It will often re-emerge some days later with new perspectives and
ideas.

Mind Maps (Tony Buzan)

• A form of Spray diagrams/Spider diagrams or graphic representation used to brainstorm ideas
• ‘Radiant’ thinking with multiple / simultaneous connections beyond one dimensional listing
• Free of inhibitions and expectation – no ‘shoulds’, only ‘coulds’
• The radial arrangement of ‘branches’ disrupts any hierarchy of known ideas/concepts

Buzan suggests that a Mind Map should include colour and images, and be developed as follows –
• Subject of attention is at centre of image
• Main themes and key words should be on their own branches, radiating out from the
central image
• From these stem secondary ideas and concepts from ‘nodes’ related to the key word or
concept
• Emphasise connections across branches and sub branches

TASK #1 –
Create a Mind Map with the central word being your focus on the MMus as a way of discovering or
contemplating your idea for the main practical project next trimester (or for the written submission
for this module!). Let your ideas flow freely without concern for logical practicalities at this point.

TASK #2 –
List/note-make what do you need to ‘know’, ‘find out’ and/or ‘do’ to achieve the project outcome.

Random Word Technique

Pick a random word (from a dictionary/magazine/website etc.) as a stimulus for looking at a
problem or opportunity (probortunity!). Then use one or all of the three perspectives below that
look for the initial stimulus, converts through bridging ideas, and (hopefully) leaves one with some
resulting relevant ideas.
1. Replace the problem word/idea with the random word
• What are the bridging ideas?
• What are the resulting relevant ideas?
2. Look at features of the random word – its ‘meaning’ and implications
• What are the bridging ideas?
• What are the resulting relevant ideas?
3. What are the benefits of the new word’s meaning?
• Apply to the problem
‘6 Hats’ – (Edward de Bono)
- de Bono sees the brain as the computer and ways of thinking as the software; without good or
relevant software the brain tends not to get used to its capacity. He calls these mental softwares
‘tools’, and ‘6 hats’ is a tool or ‘framework’ for directing attention.
- It allows a number of very different cognitive processes to be recognised and addressed in turn
when working on e problem solving or creative thinking.
- It can also be used very effectively as a way of creating ‘parallel thinking’ and inclusivity in group
discussion or meetings, rather than falling into ‘argument’ or ‘point of view’ style discussion or
brainstorming.

The 6 hats, or modes of thinking, are –

• 1 - White hat – the information hat. Accept all information without prejudice. What
information is available, needed, or missing, and how do we get it?
• 2 - Red hat – feelings, intuition, emotions – allow ‘gut’ feelings. Not always right but
need to be heard and are all valid
• 3 - Black hat – caution, risk assessment, and critical - although this is one of our most
natural positions do not overuse this hat!
• 4 - Yellow hat – the logical positive. Look for benefits, look for ‘value sensitivity’. Make
it work, as this is not our natural position
• 5 - Green hat – creative, new ideas, alternatives, possibilities, vision
• 6 - Blue hat – overview. Looks at the process of thinking, keeps focus, summarises,
introduces and concludes

TASK #3
As an exercise, use the 6 Hats method to take one of the sessions’ mind map ideas and discuss it
as a group with a view to creating an agreed project outcome and set of tasks. Create an order for
the ‘hats’, and try to be in each one in turn to allow the full cognitive perspective. Contribute to all.