Thinking – types- Convergent thinking, Divergent thinking and Creative thinking (steps) – Developing creative thinking in learners

1. Thinking
SURESH BABU G
ASST: PROFESSOR IN PERSPECTIVE OF EDUCATION

2.  Thinking consists of the cognitive rearrangement or
manipulation of both information from environment
and symbols stored in long-term memory.
 Thinking is the form of information processing that
goes on during the period between a stimulus event
and response to it.
 Thinking is an internal mental process that uses
information as input, integrates that information into
previous learned material and the result may be
knowledge or may be nothing.

3. Suresh Babu G
Definition
 Ross:- “ Thinking is mental activity in its cognitive
aspect or mental activity with regard to
psychological objects”.
 Garret:- “ Thinking is behavior which is often
implicit and hidden and in which symbols
(images, ideas , and concepts) are ordinarily
employed”.
 Mohsin :- “ Thinking is an implicit problem solving
behavior”.

4. Suresh Babu G
Nature of Thinking
It is essentially a mental activity
It is a purposeful and goal directed behavior.
It is a problem solving behavior
It involves mental manipulation of images.
It is a symbolic activity, where mental solution of
the problem is carried out through some signs,
symbols and mental images.

5. Suresh Babu G
Tools of Thinking
Images
Concepts
Symbols and signs
Language

6. Types of Thinking
• Perceptual or Concrete thinking
• Conceptual or Abstract thinking
• Reflective thinking or logical thinking
• Creative thinking
• Critical Thinking
• Convergent thinking
• Divergent thinking

7. Types of Thinking
• Perceptual or Concrete thinking– Its basis is
perception or concrete object. It is one carried out
on the perception of actual or concrete objects and
events.
• Abstract thinking – Based on Concepts ,
generalized ideas. It is carried out in the absents
of actual objects or event.
• Reflective thinking – Based on problem solving
• Creative thinking – Based on creating new
• Critical thinking –It us the ability to think clearly
and rationally . It includes the ability to engage in
reflection and independent thinking.

8. Convergent thinking
• It is concerned with a particular end result
• The thinker gather information relevant to the
problem and then proceeds by using problem
solving rules
• The result of convergent thinking is usually a
solution

9. • Not a type of thinking one primarily uses when
they think creatively
• In convergent thinking the person is good at
bringing material from a variety of sources to
solve a problem to produce the correct answer
Convergent thinking

10. Suresh Babu G
Divergent Thinking
It is not concerned with a particular end result
In divergent thinking one tend to think in a
divergent manner thus having many varied
thoughts about a problem
The result of the divergent thinking is usually
many solution for a problem

11. Suresh Babu G
Divergent thinking is a type of thinking one
primarily uses when they think creatively
In divergent thinking skill is in broadly elaborated
of ideas prompted by a stimulus
Divergent Thinking

12. Creative thinking
• This type of thinking is chiefly aimed
to create something new.
• It is in search of new relationships
and associations to describe and
interpret the nature of things ,
events and situations.
• The person himself usually
formulates the problem and he is
free to gather evidence and invent
tools for its solution.

13. Stages of Creative thinking
• Stage of preparation- focuses attention on
problem, organizing data , defining problem and
producing relevant ideas
• The stage of incubation – Person test the idea ,
flashes of insight and trial judgment occurs. This is
a period of no obvious activity and progress. The
problem is being solved unconsciously.
• The stage of illumination- This is called “Eureka”
when the individual suddenly perceive the theme
and relationship among the various components of
the problem
• Revision – Here the individual reflects , evaluates
and submits to critical appraisal.

14. Developing creative thinking in pupils
• Freedom to respond
• Opportunity for ego involvement
• Encouraging originality and flexibility
• Providing appropriate opportunities and
atmosphere for creativity expression
• Developing healthy habits among children
• Using creative resources of the community
• Proper organization of the curriculum