Divergent thinking is a thought process used to generate creative ideas by
exploring many possible solutions. It typically occurs in a spontaneous, free-
flowing, "non-linear" manner, such that many ideas are generated in an
emergent cognitive fashion. Many possible solutions are explored in a short
amount of time, and unexpected connections are drawn. Divergent thinking is
often contrasted with convergent thinking. Convergent thinking is the opposite
of divergent thinking as it organizes and structures ideas and information,
which follows a particular set of logical steps to arrive at one solution,
which in some cases is a "correct" solution.
The psychologist J. P.