Creative thinking: characteristics and ways to enhance it

Creative thinking consists of the ability to break out of conventional ideation patterns and to invent new ways of solving problems or creating something using novel techniques.

In this article we are going to examine what exactly this type of thinking consists of, in addition to reviewing what are its main differences from conventional thinking. Finally, we will give a list of tips on how to enhance it in everyday life.

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What is creative thinking?

As we mentioned earlier, creative thinking refers to the way to process information to find original solutions to new challenges that occur in life. Everyone has the ability to use the potential of creative thinking, but in some individuals, these kinds of psychological processes are more hegemonic than in others.

People with this type of highly developed thinking are not limited to conventional alternatives, they are explorers. In addition, creative thinking is put to the test every time we have the need to solve a situation not previously experienced by us.

In general, we have to use conventional lines of reasoning, which anyone would resort to in a similar situation, which is known as the protocol to follow. On the other hand, there is an unimaginable range of new alternatives that we rarely explore, perhaps because we are too tied to conventional solutions, possibly because they work for us and involve less effort mental.

But the reality is that solutions we know well and use over and over again are not always advantageous, and that's when people get caught up in seemingly unsolvable problems, just because you're not used to using creative thinking on a daily basis.

For example: what do we do if our vehicle crashes in the middle of the road and we don't have what it takes to repair the breakdown? So do we let the hours go by without doing anything, just because we don't have the necessary tools? Or are we able to find a creative solution to the problem?

Another way to capture creative thinking is through artistic expression; people who have a knack for creating art possess skills that promote the ability to think creatively.

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The relationship between creative thinking and brain plasticity

Brain plasticity is one of the most characteristic properties of the brain, and it has to do with ability of this set of organs to adapt morphologically and functionally to new situations. In other words, the human brain is constantly changing depending, among other things, on the experiences to which we are exposed.

What does this have to do with creativity? Brain plasticity makes it possible for our thinking to adapt quickly to new problems, even taking mental routes never taken before, because neurons change their modes of interconnection depending on what is around us, on the memories that we are evoking in that moment, etc. Therefore, if we must look for a neurological basis that explains creative thinking, that is the plasticity of the brain.

How is it different from conventional thinking?

In the following lines we are going to see how exactly creative thinking differs from conventional or pragmatic thinking.

1. It does not depend on the relationship between one thing and another

The main difference between thinking of a creative nature and that of a logical-pragmatic nature is that the former does not depend on the linear relationships that exist between two or more objects to be able to establish a comparison or idea.

When thinking is creative it is based more on abstract principles, which at first glance would not have much sense but that despite not following the conventional patterns of logic grant generate new meanings.

2. It involves more visualization

One of the main characteristics of creative thinking is that requires greater visualization capacity than structured thinking.

When we look for new alternatives to any situation (creative) we imagine the possible scenarios that we will obtain, while with logical thinking and In general, this is not so necessary, taking into account that the subject is already aware of what will happen if he does things the way classical.

3. Psychological exhaustion

Constantly employing creative resources results in significant burnout, unlike conventional or usual resources, which are based on custom. For this reason, it is very common for inspiration to come to us "in streaks".

4. Constant learning process

Creative thinking implies staying in a constant learning process. Creativity comes from the knowledge that the person has acquired and internalized, it is from them that the original ideas focused on the needs of the moment are born. That is, it does not appear from nothing, but is nourished by what is already available in memory in combination with what we think and / or perceive in the here and now.

Tips to enhance this type of cognitive processes

Creative thinking begins to appear in the early stages of development; thus the youngest should be encouraged to encourage them to be creative from infancy. Ideally, provide them with alternatives so that they can freely express their individual capabilities without feeling self-conscious or embarrassed.

It is important that the education of young people is always balanced between academic and extracurricular, giving equal importance to all the activities carried out by students, inside and outside the classroom of lessons. In this way, the young man grows with greater confidence in his personal abilities.

The following list contains some helpful tips to further develop creative thinking in youth and adults.

1. Encourage the habit of reading

Reading is a source of new knowledge and ideas that are incorporated into the mind of the reader. Those who read will always have a source to draw on to find creative solutions or to create their own content based on what they have read before.

2. Live new experiences

Leaving the comfort zone is essential; those who remain locked into the routine do not finish reaching their creative potential. The mind works like a parachute, for it to work you have to open it. The best way is by discovering new experiences.

3. Write down your ideas

Creativity usually happens sometimes when we least imagine it; In line at the bank or grocery store, some great ideas often come to mind. It is advisable to write them down on your mobile or on a sheet of paper so that you can study them better later.

4. Find things that you are passionate about

When we find activities that generate enjoyment, we can be sure that our creative resources will come to light during the execution of these practices. Passion and creativity go hand in hand, and they come together so that we achieve unique things when we enjoy doing something that we like.

5. Participate in group or collective creative processes

Write a story with four hands, make a mural, compose a song for a rock band... They are examples of creative processes in which the ideas of some are supported by those of others in a dynamic process. It's a great way to get used to adopting other points of view.

Bibliographic references:

• Amabile, T. M. and Pratt, M. G. (2016). The dynamic component model of creativity and innovation in organizations: Making progress, making meaning. Research in Organizational Behavior. 36: pp. 157 - 183.
• Cropley, D.H.; Cropley, A.J.; Kaufman, J.C.; et al., eds. (2010). The Dark Side of Creativity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Csikszenmihalyi, M. (1998). Creativity. Flow and the psychology of discovery and invention. Paidos. Barcelona.
• Fuchs, E.; Flügge, G. (2014). Adult neuroplasticity: more than 40 years of research. Neural Plasticity, 5: 541870.
• Marina, J.A. (1993). Theory of creative intelligence. Barcelona: Anagram.
• Monreal, C.A. (2000). What is creativity. Madrid: New Library.
• Park, D.C.; Huang, C.M. (2010). Culture Wires the Brain. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5 (4): pp. 391 - 400.