Convergent and Divergent Thinking
Convergent and Divergent Thinking
Convergent and Divergent Thinking
Students Name
University Affiliation
Divergent and Convergent Thinking
2
The ability to generate a new, original and a unique solution is termed as creativity. There
are a different aspects that are involved in creative thinking that includes utilization of both
divergent and convergent thinking. Whereby convergent thinking is usually used when a
straightforward and correct answer to a question is needed. While divergent thinking is used
when a person is trying to solve a problem that has an abstract in nature which has many possible
answers, solutions, and results. In this paper, I will be taking an example of my experience on
how I used the following techniques when I intended to buy my first car. The article will cover
the procedure I used to arrive at the final solution, the experience that I earned from the issue
When I intended to buy my first I was faced with three option from which I was supposed
to select from. Given I was holding these thoughts in my mind, it was forced to undergo through
different types of thinking which comes from the abilities that I studied while I was in my
creativity class. As a result, the expansive possibilities that I was entertaining came from the
divergent thinking. Since from my previous classes I had learned that when generating ideas I
was required first to identify the goal, the desires and challenges (Vidler, 2014). For this step it is
critical since it is easy to make assumption incorrectly that may lead to problems in the future. As
a result, when I was selecting my options on which car I was supposed to buy I defined my
objective in that I intended to purchase an SUV car. Secondly, I gathered the required data on the
Divergent and Convergent Thinking
3
many SUVs cars that are in existence considering the different consumption rate of the cars.
Then I generated some questions that were based on the model of the car, capacity, and color,
and engine type, top speed of the car and the consumption of the car per kilometer plus the level
of emission it emits to the environment. From that analysis, I arrived at three ideas of purchasing
a Tesla Model S, BMW X5 and a Mercedes E class as shown in the figure below.
Divergent and Convergent Thinking
4
Then I was left with the option of exploring the ideas to see which of the three cars
satisfy my questions thoroughly. Then I moved to the final stage of formulating the solution
whereby I transferred to the convergent thinking that is based on evaluating all the options and
coming up with the correct solutions. At this stage when using this technique, it gives you the
ability to analyze the potential solutions that can meet the need and criteria and then from that
analysis it easier to implement the idea successfully. From my options that I had taken, I started
analyzing the capability of the Tesla's car whereby I found that that car had a top speed of
240km/hr., with a capacity of carrying five people, and aerodynamically it was perfect from the
Divergent and Convergent Thinking
5
2016 model further its cost at $30000.For the case of the BMW it had a top speed of 280km/hr.,
with a capacity of 4 people, aerodynamically it was best as compared to the three vehicles, the
stability of the car is excellent given it is a state of art vehicle. Unfortunately, it cost at
$120000.Lastly, for the Mercedes case, it had a top speed of 260 km/hr. With a capacity of 4
people, it is a state of the art car which ensures personal safety even if one drives at higher speed.
It costs at $60000.From the budget that I had planned to buy this car, I had cash on hand of
$50000.From that, I had options on which of the three options that I was supposed to take. From
the case of the BMW, I nullified it since I was not in the state to raise the amount of cash. Thus I
remained with the two options to select between the Tesla's types with the Mercedes type. Given
if I was to take the Mercedes I was to add of $10000, while for the case of the Tesla Model S I
was to save $20000.Having narrowed to this extent, I moved in for the Tesla's Model S since at
the first place I was able to save some amount from the budget. Secondly, the capacity was
encouraging since it could serve as a family car. Further, this car this 2016 model can limit the
level emission since it uses electricity as the power train, which is harnessed from solar. As a
result, I was able to take part in ensuring the effort of minimizing emission into the environment
are boosted to the next level given the world is moving green. Another added advantage is that
this energy is provided free as compared to the other two options which required that I had to
purchase fuel. Lastly, these car has a maintenance cost that is low given that it does have an
engine thus giving it an upper hand as compared to the other two SUVs.For arriving at this
solution, it took me like four months on analyzing the best option before I majored to purchase
From that challenge, I learned the essence of time and money which are essential in
ensuring creativity. In that from my challenge, I was endured to take some time in analyzing the
best car that could satisfy my need and at the same time meeting my budget. Thus these clues are
important at places of work since as a leader they give you the opportunity to set a timeline for
any project then fixed within the set budget to ensure its success. Further, I learned the
importance of intellectual challenge in creative thinking which gives one the ability to support
References
Types of creative thinking - The Second Principle. (2017). The Second Principle. Retrieved 16
April 2017, from http://thesecondprinciple.com/creativity/creativity-essentials/types-of-
creative-thinking/
Vidler, D. (2014). Convergent and Divergent Thinking, Test-Anxiety, and Curiosity. The Journal
Of Experimental Education, 43(2), 79-85.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00220973.1974.10806324
Yamada, Y., & Nagai, M. (2015). Positive mood enhances divergent but not convergent thinking.
Japanese Psychological Research, 57(4), 281-287. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jpr.12093