Understanding Divergent Thinking

There are various ways individuals approach challenges, problem-solving, and daily functioning. One such way is divergent thinking, a form developed to help individuals consider all viewpoints and options. Learning to think divergently may help individuals find unique and practical solutions to life’s challenges and benefit overall mental health.

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Divergent thinking vs. convergent thinking

To understand more about divergent thinking, it may help to contrast it with convergent thinking. Whereas divergent thinking involves generating multiple solutions to a problem through creativity, convergent thinking uses logical, linear steps to analyze information and determine a single, well-defined solution. 

Some fundamental differences between divergent and convergent thinking include the following: 

• Divergent thinking is spontaneous; Convergent thinking is organized. 
• Divergent thinking uses creativity; Convergent thinking uses logic. 
• Divergent thinking generates many possible solutions; Convergent thinking results in a single solution.
• Divergent thinking is concerned with quantity; Convergent thinking prioritizes quality.
• Divergent thinking does not involve criticism or judgment; Convergent thinking uses analysis to determine the best solution.
• Divert thinking is non-linear; Convergent thinking is organized. 

Divergent and convergent thinking can interplay throughout the problem-solving process. For example, if you’re asked to solve a problem, you can use divergent thinking to generate as many ideas as possible and then use convergent thinking to narrow down which of those ideas is best suited to your unique situation. Then, you can return to divergent thinking to generate ideas for how that solution could work and return to convergent thinking to develop a step-by-step plan for implementing that plan. 

Examples of divergent thinking

In creative problem-solving, the divergent stage pushes individuals to generate as many ideas as possible. Below are some examples of how to use divergent thinking:

• Brainstorming: Brainstorming is often done in a group. Every group member is encouraged to contribute ideas, and there may not be a “right” or “wrong” answer. All ideas are encouraged during divergent thinking exercises. 
• Freewriting: This technique may help individuals focus when writing. Choose a set period and start writing information down without worrying about making mistakes or proofreading. This exercise aims to get as many ideas as possible on paper so you can return to them later to organize and refocus. 
• Journaling: Keeping a journal can be an effective way of recording spontaneous ideas or insights that you can later expand on. There are no rules about what goes into a journal; write down anything that comes to mind.
• Subject mapping: With this technique, individuals start with a central idea or topic and expand it outward, creating branches of subtopics. Subject mapping can be an effective way to develop a central idea and a range of solutions.

Examples of convergent thinking

People often use convergent thinking to determine the most appropriate solutions in problem-solving. This format can also be a way to refine and make sense of multiple ideas generated by divergent thinking. Below are several convergent thinking techniques: 

• Grouping: Grouping information into similar ideas using lists or other methods may help individuals organize information. This technique can effectively take an extensive amount of information and refine it into more concise and valuable data.
• Prioritizing: Using convergent thinking to prioritize helps individuals determine which pieces of information are most important so they can focus on those first. 
• Filtering: Filtering helps eliminate ideas that won’t be used. For example, if a solution is too time-consuming or expensive, people can use filtering to eliminate it from the list of solutions they are considering.

How to be a more divergent thinker

Below are a few ways to stimulate divergent thinking.

Brainstorm new ideas

Challenge yourself to come up with new ideas in a specific category every day for a week. For example, on Monday, you might try to come up with at least ten titles for your autobiography. On Tuesday, you could think of possible names for a new pet, and on Wednesday, different ways to arrange your bedroom furniture.

Come up with alternate uses

Choose an everyday object, set a five-minute timer, and write down as many alternate uses for the object as possible. For example, if your object was a towel, some alternate uses you might come up with could be using it as a blanket, rolling it up and putting it at the base of a door to stop drafts, wrapping it around your shoulders as a shawl, or folding it and using it as a seat cushion. 

Write your own news headlines

In the evening, imagine that the news was covering your day. What would the headlines be? Think about the significant events of your day and come up with at least three headlines. For example, you might say, “Woman sleeps in but manages to make it to work on time,” or “Man forgets to defrost the chicken for dinner.” You can also incorporate other people and stimuli you see throughout your day, like, “Person at the bus stop wearing yellow sweater today” or “Neighborhood dog being pushed in a baby stroller.”

How divergent thinking benefits mental health

Because divergent thinking encourages individuals to explore as many ideas as possible, it can have many benefits in everyday life. 

Encouraging new ideas 

Divergent thinking encourages people to think creatively to generate new, innovative ideas. This technique may help people learn to move beyond conventional thinking patterns and explore new ideas, enabling them to develop a learning mindset and hone their creative process.

Improving problem-solving skills 

Divergent thinking can also improve problem-solving skills because this format encourages people to consider various approaches from different angles. As a result, people may become more equipped to figure out the best solution to a problem. The most effective solution might not be what one expects or the most popular solution in a group. 

Influencing open-mindedness 

Creative thinking can also influence open-mindedness because it encourages people to consider all perspectives and be open to all ideas without criticism or judgment. Divergent thinking can increase self-esteem by teaching people to trust in their own ideas and think independently. People can learn to value their own perspectives, which may improve self-worth.

Reducing depression 

Recent research also found that divergent thinking may improve or prevent depressed mood. This research investigated whether engaging in active problem-focused coping, like problem-solving, or decreasing the odds of emotion-focused coping could prevent depressed mood in young people aged 18 to 25. 

The results showed a positive relationship between divergent thinking and positive reappraisal, or reframing events as benign or beneficial, and a negative link between divergent thinking and negative coping. Researchers concluded that divergent thinking could help young adults learn more ways to deal with stressors and reduce feelings of resignation, hopelessness, and uncontrolled negative expression, promoting “coping strategies that can serve as a prophylaxis for hopelessness in young adults that is generally related to depressed mood.”

Support options 

If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, working with a mental health professional may be beneficial. A therapist can help clients learn problem-solving techniques or guide them through other therapeutic strategies that can help them learn to manage depression symptoms. However, some people experiencing depression may find it challenging to travel for in-person therapy appointments. With an online platform like BetterHelp, clients can attend sessions from the comfort of home at a time that works for them. In addition, individuals can message their therapist anytime, no matter when they are experiencing symptoms.

In addition to being convenient and flexible, research shows that online treatment is effective. One review of 17 studies found that online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy  (CBT) for depression may be more effective than face-to-face counseling, as well as being more affordable for many clients.