preview

Com 420 - Critical Thinking and Creative Problem Solving Essay

Decent Essays

Introduction This paper will introduce critical thinking and creative problem solving with an emphasis on the latter. In doing so, it will attempt to describe any similarities and differences between the two. Critical thinking is the process of rationally analyzing and attempting to solve a problem accurately without guessing. The first step in critical thinking is to understand the problem thoroughly which will allow you to restate the problem in different ways to learn about it and other related issues and where to look for possible solutions. Critical thinking is the general cognitive skill of determining the best answer when there is not one correct answer. Critical thinking is a trainable skill that can create innovative …show more content…

Vertical thinking is thinking with mental operations that move in a straight line up and down between higher and lower level concepts. Where lateral thinking is looking in alternate directions to define and interpret a problem and thus a solution. Vertical thinking is like convergent thinking in that it seeks a single correct solution. Lateral thinking is similar to divergent thinking in that it seeks alternate solutions by going around the obvious and taking a different path. Component Approach Sternberg’s component approach views a lateral move in thinking will bring a shift in point of view brought on by degrees of freedom from a sideways move from the one-dimensional linear mode of thinking. The three elements of Sternberg’s theory are; knowledge acquisition, planning and decision making. Davidson, Deuser, and Sternberg used the component approach in a problem solving approach with four processes which are; finding and defining the problem, mentally representing the problem, planning how to solve the problem, and evaluating performance on the problem. Each of these processes benefit from lateral thinking. Self-Efficacy Self-efficacy is the belief in one’s ability to organize and execute the actions necessary to manage a situation ("What Is Self-Efficacy?", n.d.). Self-efficacy allows divergent thinking because cognitive limits are not set in place. Metaphors A metaphor is an example in which the unfamiliar is expressed in terms of

Get Access