Absolute Essentials of Creative Thinking and Problem Solving

Cover
Half Title
Endorsement Page
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 Theoretical frameworks
Introduction
What is creative thinking?
Early theories of creative thinking
The brain as an information processor
The Whole Brain/Four-Quadrant Model
Convergent and divergent thinking
The cognitive theory of creativity
How knowledge is stored in memory
How we get ideas
Pattern recognition
Questions
References
Chapter 2 Blocks to creativity
Introduction
The need to be ready for change
Mindset
Working with teams
Questions
References
Chapter 3 Problem solving
Introduction
Nature of problems
Types of problems
A common-sense approach to problem solving
The problem solving process
The context of problem solving
Problem solving skills
Questions
References
Chapter 4 The creative thinking process
Introduction
Wallas’s model of the creative process
The creative problem solving process
The techniques
Paradigm shift and types of creative problem solving techniques
Analogical reasoning
Questions
References
Chapter 5 Objective finding, fact finding, and problem finding – definitions
Introduction
Objective finding
Problem finding – definition
Analytical techniques
Questions
References
Chapter 6 Idea generating – non-analogical
Introduction
Checklists
Attribute listing
Morphological analysis
Brainstorming and its variants
Lateral thinking
Provocative methods of lateral thinking
Questions
References
Chapter 7 Idea generating (analogical)
Introduction
Synectics
Synectics in action
Story writing
Free association
Attribute association chains
Questions
References
Chapter 8 Evaluation
Introduction
Creative evaluation
Culling, rating, and scoring screens
Advantage–disadvantage tables
PMI: plus/minus/interesting
Castle technique
Force-field analysis
Qualitative evaluation
Choosing an evaluation method
Questions
References
Chapter 9 Implementing ideas
Introduction
Ideas are not readily implemented
Sources of resistance to change
Role of communication in overcoming resistance to change
Putting ideas into practice
Post-implementation
Questions
References
Chapter 10 Digital creativity
Introduction
History of development
The World Wide Web
Crowdsourcing
Blogs and everyday activities
Visual analogy
Databases
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence and Big Data
Questions
References
Index