Divergent and convergent thinking: the yin and yang of creativity

Psychology

Apr 1

Creativity may be what makes humans stand apart from machines. In the world of artificial intelligence booming in its prominence and emergence, creativity may be the skill that can set you apart in a future where most tasks can be performed by well-trained machines and their black-box algorithms. While some individuals can be inherently more predisposed to creativity, everyone can cultivate this skill with intention and deliberate practice. People who score high in openness to experience tend to be more naturally prone to creativity because openness to experience is the personality trait that measures an individual’s ability to novelty and freedom of expression, broadly speaking. You can read more about the Big Five Personality Traits here.

Creativity is the art of revealing something fundamental about the world or human nature by combining concepts from seemingly separate domains. It uncovers unspoken truths about how humans function in a useful way. A creative joke can make you laugh by exposing something that everyone knows but few articulate, like an "elephant in the brain," as explained in this book.

There are two fundamental axioms of creativity: divergent and convergent thinking. Both modes of thinking are necessary for creativity. You can improve your ability to enter each mode through deliberate practice. As Tiago Forte explains in his article here, divergent and convergent thinking are like a pendulum that swings constantly during the creative process. They are distinct states of consciousness that one must balance carefully. The creative process involves generating output from disparate and varied inputs. For example, in knowledge work, it might involve selecting the most appropriate marketing strategy for your organization. In your personal life, it could be a decision about where to live, where to travel, or which restaurant to choose for a special occasion.

Divergent thinking is a chaotic, open, and unstructured thought process. It is the first stage of the creative process. In Design Thinking, divergent thinking is the practice of generating as many ideas as possible, regardless of how seemingly inappropriate they are. It involves starting from one concept and coming up with as many options as possible. During divergent thinking, there is no need for tunnel vision. Your environment can reflect the chaotic state of divergent thinking. You do not need to focus on a single task; mental constraints must be released to fully embrace creative thinking. You can tap into your inner child, as they are best suited to guide you through this stage.

Convergent thinking is narrow, focused, and structured. It requires persistence and focused judgment. You start from many ideas (generated during divergent thinking) and converge into your final option(s). At this stage, commitment is required. Commitment is the ability to choose with conviction. This is the opposite of what happens in divergent thinking. Now is the time to place your judgments (i.e., defining the value of all your options) with focus and indistraction. Convergent thinking allows you to reach the final outcome of your creative endeavor.

Meditation practice can be a powerful protocol for enhancing divergent and convergent thinking, according to dr. Andrew Huberman, who draws from the scientific literature on the subjects. Divergent thinking is most fostered by open-monitoring meditation, keeping your attention open to the environment and its surroundings while monitoring your internal and external state of the world. Convergent thinking is enhanced by focused meditation, the practice of narrowing your attention to one thing (e.g., the rising and falling of the breath, the sensation of air passing through your nostrils).

You can intentionally set aside time for each mode of thinking. Divergent thinking can be fostered by brainstorming sessions, free writing, or other activities that encourage idea generation without judgment. Convergent thinking can be fostered by setting specific goals, breaking down tasks into manageable steps, and using focused meditation to maintain attention and avoid distractions. By intentionally practicing both modes of thinking, you can enhance your creativity and develop the skills necessary to generate innovative solutions and ideas, in a world where your creativity may be the distinctive factor that can make artificial intelligence work for you, not against you.