Notes

Creative thinking and the creative thought process are very much different from one another. Creative thinking is “…simply ordinary thinking that has produced an extraordinary outcome (Simon, 1966)” (Weisberg, 2006 p. 104). This means that the results of the thinking had outstanding results that surpassed the original expectations. Most times people will use creative thinking when problem solving or creating a new invention. When creative thinking is used in problem solving, the thinker must expand their knowledge past what is considered a comfort zone. New ideas or knowledge increases innovation and new ways of research. Creative thinking is also used in science which is studied to understand how all people think creatively. This is done through asking many questions and learning the minds of all age groups. The creative process is broken down into stages that describe how people follow through with these ideas. The first stage is preparation. This focuses on the acknowledgement of the problem and the beginning of resolution. The next step is called incubation. This step occurs when people pause from thinking due to unsuccessful ideas. When a new idea or solution is created, the thinker will be in the illumination stage. When all is planned and adequate, the thinker will finish with the verification stage (Weisberg, 2006). These two are very different due to how each is carried out by the thinker. Creative thinking is most successful with brainstorming and does not require the steps that is used in the thinking process. This is then used when a solid idea is established and is ready to be placed into action.