divergent thinking

British

noun

psychol thinking in an unusual and unstereotyped way, e.g. to generate several possible solutions to a problem Compare convergent thinking

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In a recent study, 151 human participants were pitted against ChatGPT-4 in three tests designed to measure divergent thinking, which is considered to be an indicator of creative thought.

From Science Daily • Mar. 1, 2024

In 2014, a new study showed that walking decreased rational and linear thinking and increased divergent thinking and imaginative mind-wandering.

From Salon • Aug. 28, 2021

Some studies show that travelers have more creative success, and people who enjoy unfamiliar experiences perform better on divergent thinking tests, open-ended questions calling for numerous ideas.

From Washington Post • Jul. 10, 2021

This is sometimes called "divergent" thinking to contrast it with the "convergence" of echo chambers.

From BBC • Jul. 6, 2021

For example, consider the superior performance by open people on tests of creativity called divergent thinking tasks.

From Scientific American • Aug. 15, 2017

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023