Creative Problem Solving - Process of Creative Thinking in Practice

Chapter 10 Mastering Creative Problem Solving
from the book -   Lifelong Creativity: An Unending Quest by Pradip N. Khandwalla

Models of Creative Problem Solving

Stages Models

Graham Walls
William Kirkwood

Simulation Models

Heuristic is mentioned in this model.

Some heuristics that mind uses are: try something counter-intuitive, make the familiar strange, generate hypothesis from an episode or a case, use analogies, account for exceptions, investigate paradoxical incidents, play with ideas, etc. 

'Primary Process' Thinking Models

Ernst Kris

In the primary process thinking many fluid contributions or syntheses take place as during reveries.  Analytical or evaluative activity takes during 'secondary process thinking.

Personality Trait and Emotion-Based Models

 Albert Rothenberg

Kirton Adaptation-Innovation Inventory

Martinsen

Todd Lubart and Isaac Geetz - Emotions play central role

David Carson and Mark Runco - Certain emotions negatively impact creativity

Cognitive Capabilities Models

Michael Mumford  - Creating super categories given some categories

Example: Given chair, couch, lamp and pictures coming out with a super category of furnishings.

Structured Problem-Solving Models

Kepner and Tregoe's Model

Sidney Parnes and Associates

Problem Solving Programme - Five Stages

1. Awareness of the 'mess' or problem situation
2. Fact finding, involving listing down or otherwise discovering all the facts pertinent to the problem situation.
3. Problem finding or fairly precise statement of what the problem is.
4. Idea finding, in which such techniques of divergent thinking as brainstorming are used to come up with a wide range of possible solutions.
5. Solution finding, in which the alternative proposed solution ideas are assessed against criteria of evaluation to generate a small number of feasible solutions.
6. Acceptance finding, or getting system to accept one of the feasible solutions.
7. Implementation of the selected solution, involving thinking through and planning the steps needed to implement the chosen solution

Dennis Brophy

Runco

Useful Mechanisms of Convergent Thinking

Clarificatory Mechanisms

Analytical Mechanisms

Synthesis Aiding Mechanism

Optimizing Mechanisms

Mechanisms of Divergent Thinking