Convergent+Thinking

=What is [|Convergent Thinking]?= = = [|J. P. Guilford]

Convergent thinking is oriented towards deriving the single best (or correct) answer to a clearly defined question.

It involves putting different pieces of a topic back together in some organized structured and understandable way.

It emphasizes speed, accuracy, logic, and the like, and focuses on accumulating information, recognizing the familiar, reapplying set techniques, and preserving the already known.

It is based on familiarity with what is already known (i.e., knowledge),

and is most effective in situations where a ready-made answer exists and needs simply to be recalled from stored information,

or worked out from what is already known by applying conventional and logical search, recognition and decision-making strategies. (OWAIS)

VERY IMPORTANT IN ORGANIZING INFO.!!!

= = =What Does Convergent Thinking Imply?=

RATIONAL THOUGHT

LOGICAL THOUGHT

SEQUENTIAL THOUGHT = =

("Unleashing Creativity" //Scientific American Mind//, Volume 16, Number 1, p. 19).
__**[|VOCABULARY]**__

__Fluency__ - The ability to generate a __number of ideas__ so that there is an increase of possible solutions or related products. Flexibility - The ability to produce different __categories or perceptions__ whereby there are a __variety__ of different ideas about the same problem or thing. Elaboration - The ability to __add to, embellish, or build off of__ an idea or product. Originality - The ability to __create fresh, unique, unusual, totally new, or extremely different__ ideas or products Complexity - The ability to conceptualize __difficult, intricate, many layered or multifaceted__ ideas or products. Risk-taking - The willingness to be __courageous, adventuresome, daring__ -- trying new things or taking risks in order to stand apart. Imagination - The ability to __dream up, invent__, or to see, to think, to conceptualize new ideas or products � to be ingenious. Curiosity - The trait of exhibiting __probing behaviors__, asking and posing questions, searching, being able to look deeper into ideas, and the wanting to know more about something.

=Lab Exercise: Convergent Thinking - Brainstorm List= How do I spent my time? What are my activities during a normal day? What do I know about? What are my areas of expertise? What am I studying in school? What do I like? What are my hobbies? What are my interests? What bothers me? What would I change in the world or life? What are my strongest beliefs, values and philosophies? How would you describe something? What are the causes of something? What are the effects of something?

=Assignment: Convergent Thinking Lab Project= Generate a series of convergent ideas based on the outlined sheet (given in class). Add line to create value to these ideas.

=Assignment:= Complete Convergent Thinking Lab Project Read __Design Basics__, pp. 3 – 25 Work on outside sketchbook ideas