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RKGS2010RKGS2010

CREATIVE THINKINGCREATIVE THINKING

AND PROBLEM SOLVINGAND PROBLEM SOLVING

TOPIC:TOPIC:

1. WHAT IS LATERAL THINKING?1. WHAT IS LATERAL THINKING?

2. CREATIVE AND CRITICAL THINKING2. CREATIVE AND CRITICAL THINKING

AND THEIR DIFFERENCESAND THEIR DIFFERENCES

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LATERAL THINKINGLATERAL THINKING

-- DEFINITIONDEFINITION

-- EXAMPLESEXAMPLES

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DEFINITION OF LATERAL THINKINGDEFINITION OF LATERAL THINKING

Lateral Thinking is a form of thinking which seeks newLateral Thinking is a form of thinking which seeks newand unusual ways of approaching and solving problems,and unusual ways of approaching and solving problems,

and does not merely proceed by logical steps from theand does not merely proceed by logical steps from thestarting point of what is known or believed.starting point of what is known or believed.

Edward De Bono defines Lateral Thinking as a techniqueEdward De Bono defines Lateral Thinking as a techniqueof problem solving by approaching problems indirectlyof problem solving by approaching problems indirectly

at diverse angles instead of concentrating on oneat diverse angles instead of concentrating on oneapproach at length.approach at length.

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EXAMPLE NO. 1EXAMPLE NO. 1

There are six eggs in theThere are six eggs in the

basket. Each egg is takenbasket. Each egg is taken

by a girl. Considering thereby a girl. Considering there

are six girls who take theare six girls who take the

eggs, how can it be that oneeggs, how can it be that one

egg is left in the basket?egg is left in the basket?

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ANSWERANSWER....

The last girl takes theThe last girl takes the

basket as well with thebasket as well with the

last egg still in itlast egg still in it

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EXAMPLE NO. 2EXAMPLE NO. 2

Two professors of mathematics glared at each other asTwo professors of mathematics glared at each other as

they examined the same elementary equation. It had beenthey examined the same elementary equation. It had been

written by a tenwritten by a ten--yearyear--old child. This equation is correct,old child. This equation is correct,

said one. No, it is absolutely wrong, said the other.said one. No, it is absolutely wrong, said the other.

How could two experts disagree so completely about aHow could two experts disagree so completely about a

simple equation?simple equation?

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ANSWER..ANSWER..

The equation was 9 X 9 = 81 , but they were looking at itThe equation was 9 X 9 = 81 , but they were looking at it

from different sides of the table. So to one professor itfrom different sides of the table. So to one professor it

was correct, but to the other it read 18 = 6 X 6 , and sowas correct, but to the other it read 18 = 6 X 6 , and so

it was wrong.it was wrong.

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CREATIVE THINKING ANDCREATIVE THINKING ANDCRITICAL THINKINGCRITICAL THINKING

-- DEFINITIONSDEFINITIONS

-- EXAMPLESEXAMPLES

-- DIFFERENCESDIFFERENCES

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DEFINITION OF CREATIVE THINKINGDEFINITION OF CREATIVE THINKING

Creative thinking is a mental process of thinking ofCreative thinking is a mental process of thinking of

original, diverse and elaborate ideas as well asoriginal, diverse and elaborate ideas as well as

generating new ones and searching for alternatives.generating new ones and searching for alternatives.

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EXAMPLE..EXAMPLE..

A person wants to decorate all the four walls in hisA person wants to decorate all the four walls in his

bedroom, but he cannot afford to buy neither paint norbedroom, but he cannot afford to buy neither paint nor

wallpapers. So he uses creative thinking to look forwallpapers. So he uses creative thinking to look for

alternatives and he managed to think of a new idea. Due toalternatives and he managed to think of a new idea. Due to

the fact that he has a lot of topthe fact that he has a lot of top--up cards which he hasup cards which he has

been collecting for the past few years, he uses them bybeen collecting for the past few years, he uses them by

pasting them on the walls and formed abstract designs.pasting them on the walls and formed abstract designs.

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DEFINITION OF CRITICAL THINKINGDEFINITION OF CRITICAL THINKING

Critical thinking is a process that challenges an individualCritical thinking is a process that challenges an individual

to use reflective, reasonable, rational thinking to gather,to use reflective, reasonable, rational thinking to gather,

interpret and evaluate information in order to derive ainterpret and evaluate information in order to derive a

judgement. The process involves thinking beyond a singlejudgement. The process involves thinking beyond a single

solution for a problem and focusing on deciding what thesolution for a problem and focusing on deciding what the

best alternatives are.best alternatives are.

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EXAMPLE..EXAMPLE..

1. A biology instructor might pose a problem about human1. A biology instructor might pose a problem about human

cloning.cloning.

2. A biology instructor might pose a problem about limiting2. A biology instructor might pose a problem about limiting

dam construction to increase fish survival.dam construction to increase fish survival.

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SOLUTIONSOLUTION

1. Decide what we thinkinitially and why1. Decide what we thinkinitially and why

2. Seek other views and opinions2. Seek other views and opinions

3. Ultimately decide which opinionis mostreasonable3. Ultimately decide which opinionis mostreasonable

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DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CREATIVE THINKING AND CRITICALDIFFERENCES BETWEEN CREATIVE THINKING AND CRITICALTHINKINGTHINKING

CREATIVE THINKINGCREATIVE THINKING

Create something newCreate something new

Right brainRight brain

GenerativeGenerative

VisualVisual

CRITICAL THINKINGCRITICAL THINKING

Assess validityAssess validity

Left brainLeft brain

AnalyticAnalytic

VerbalVerbal

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CREATIVE THINKING is generally considered to beCREATIVE THINKING is generally considered to be

involved with the creation or generation of ideas,involved with the creation or generation of ideas,

processes, experiences or objects.processes, experiences or objects.

CRITICAL THINKING is concerned with theirCRITICAL THINKING is concerned with their

evaluation.evaluation.

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QUESTIONS?