Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

divergent thinking

British  

noun

  1. 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.

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

In his class, they spend a lot of time talking about divergent thinking, about coming up with multiple solutions to a problem.

From Los Angeles Times

But they need them to be simultaneously individualistic, to fuel divergent thinking and creativity.

From Salon

Three aspects of creative cognition are divergent thinking, conceptual expansion and overcoming knowledge constraints.

From Scientific American

Diversity enhances creativity because it facilitates what scholars call divergent thinking – that is, the ability to consider issues from multiple perspectives.

From Scientific American