Convergent vs Divergent Thinking (Are you a convergent thinker or a divergent thinker?)

2015-05-14T19:03:30-04:00

Are you a convergent thinker or a divergent thinker?

Which one do you think is better based on your understanding of their meaning and how does it affect your ability to problem solve?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2015 7:06 PM

2015-05-14T19:06:43-04:00

Definitely divergent.
I am probably the most likely person you'll ever meet to come up with unorthodox solutions to problems. It serves me well in Civil Affairs.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 14 at 2015 7:24 PM

2015-05-14T19:24:33-04:00

Depends on the situation.

Some situations reward convergent thinking. Traditional education models (aka standardized testing) are one. I am VERY good at tests. I have a degree that is made up almost completely of them.

That said, divergent thinking works better when you are dealing with darn near anything else. If you can't flowchart a solution, you have to be able to divergent think. "Social" problems require divergent thinking. When I talk about Social problems, I mean anything to do with people. People don't follow flowcharts. They are more random in nature, so you have to be able to "think around them."

Response by SGT Nia Chiaraluce made May 14 at 2015 7:42 PM

2015-05-14T19:42:11-04:00

The word divergent is partly defined as "tending to be different or develop in different directions." Divergent thinking refers to the way the mind generates ideas beyond proscribed expectations and rote thinking -- what is usually referred to "thinking outside the box”. Convergent thinking, on the other hand, requires one to meld ideas to the most correct or the best solution to a problem.

Divergent behavior is discouraged socially. To a point that many people are scared to say or do the "wrong thing" out of fear. This is not surprising. We often tolerate environments in which staff, employers and peer groups keep in-check those who say and do things that are off-script, incorrect or inappropriate. So, if divergent thinking is key to being creative, it becomes clear why juniors find being open with their imaginations and divergent ideas a “bad idea”. They simply do not want to rock the quintessential boat fearing recourses and reprisals.

I have always considered myself a divergent thinker, however as I have grown and experienced life a bit I understand and appreciate the larger vision of convergence. The link below explains in great detail how convergence and divergence work best when melded together.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/beautiful-minds/201202/how-convergent-and-divergent-thinking-foster-creativity

How Convergent and Divergent Thinking Foster Creativity

IQ-type reasoning is only one slice of the creativity pie.