Creative Thinking & Problem Solving Flashcards

Which cognitive technique involves deliberately adopting the perspective of someone with no prior knowledge of a problem to generate fresh ideas?

Answer: Beginner's mind

Beginner's mind (shoshin) clears expert assumptions, allowing innovators to see a problem without preconceptions.

In the Double Diamond design model, what happens in the second 'diverge' phase?

Answer: Solutions are prototyped and explored

The second diamond's diverge phase generates a wide range of potential solutions before converging on the best one.

Which barrier to creative thinking occurs when a person can only see an object used in its traditional way?

Answer: Functional fixedness

Functional fixedness limits problem-solving by preventing people from seeing alternative uses for familiar objects.

A team uses 'How Might We' (HMW) statements during ideation. What is the primary purpose of this technique?

Answer: To reframe challenges as open opportunities

HMW statements convert problem statements into invitation-style prompts that encourage creative solution generation.

What does the SCAMPER technique's 'R' stand for, and how is it applied?

Answer: Reverse/Rearrange — flip or reorder components to spark new ideas

The 'R' in SCAMPER stands for Reverse/Rearrange, prompting innovators to ask what happens when they invert or reorder elements.

An innovator deliberately generates the worst possible solutions before seeking the best. This technique is called:

Answer: Reverse brainstorming

Reverse brainstorming identifies failure modes first, then inverts them to reveal effective solutions.

Which of the following best describes 'analogical thinking' in creative problem solving?

Answer: Transferring structures or solutions from one domain to another

Analogical thinking leverages parallels from unrelated fields to inspire novel approaches to current problems.