Definition
Lateral thinking is a type of thinking that involves approaching problems and situations from a different angle or perspective than the traditional or expected one. It is a creative problem-solving technique that encourages individuals to think outside the box and come up with unconventional solutions to problems.
Origin
Lateral thinking was first coined by Edward de Bono, a Maltese physician, in his book "The Use of Lateral Thinking" in 1967. De Bono believed that traditional or vertical thinking, which involves analysing information and generating solutions based on logical and linear steps, often resulted in limited or narrow solutions to problems. Lateral thinking emphasizes generating as many ideas as possible and then selecting the most promising or effective one. Lateral thinking can be useful in a variety of contexts, such as business, science, education, and personal problem-solving. It can help individuals overcome mental blocks, generate new ideas, and approach problems in a more creative and innovative way.
A Valuable Technique
Overall, lateral thinking is a valuable problem-solving technique that encourages individuals to approach problems and situations in a different way. By challenging assumptions, generating alternatives, and focusing on possibilities, individuals can come up with new and innovative solutions that may not have been considered using traditional or vertical thinking.
Key Principles
Lateral thinking emphasizes generating many different ideas or alternatives, rather than settling for the first or most obvious one
Lateral thinking often involves looking for patterns or connections between seemingly unrelated ideas or information, in order to find new solutions or insights.