7.7.3. Process of Creative Thinking

In recent years, more and more attention has been given to the way the human mind operates. Research has made it clear that thinking of new and unusual ideas involve more than a flash of insight. There are stages before and after the new ideas come.

Creative thinking isn't just about having sudden ideas. Instead, it's a process that involves several stages. First, there's a need or desire to create something new. This might arise because a person notices a problem or feels unsatisfied with existing solutions. Understanding that creativity is a process helps us appreciate the complexity of generating new ideas.

Imagine a gardener looking at a patch of ground. They may feel dissatisfied with the plants currently there. This desire leads them to imagine new plants they can grow—this is the beginning of their creative process.

The process of creative thinking begins with the preparation stage that requires one to understand the task or problem in hand, analyse the problem, and become aware of the background facts and related information.

In this first stage, preparation involves gathering information and understanding the issue thoroughly. This means doing research, considering different perspectives, and familiarizing oneself with all aspects related to the task at hand. Taking time to prepare lays a strong foundation for idea generation.

Think about a chef planning a new recipe. They don't just jump straight into cooking; first, they explore various ingredients, learn about flavor combinations, and perhaps look at similar recipes for inspiration.

When the person is trying to generate alternative ideas and trying to view the problem or task from an unusual perspective, there may be a feeling of getting stuck. One may even get disgusted with failure and may leave the problem or the task for sometime. This is the stage of incubation.

During the incubation stage, a person might feel stuck or frustrated when they cannot come up with new solutions. Instead of forcing an idea, it's important to step away from the problem for a while. Often, this break allows the mind to continue working on the issue subconsciously, paving the way for new insights to emerge later.

Consider someone trying to solve a puzzle; after struggling for a long time, they take a break and go for a walk. When they return, they might suddenly have a new perspective and see a clear way to complete the puzzle.

Followed by incubation is the stage of illumination - the ‘Aha’! or ‘I have found it’ experience, the moment we normally associate with emergence of creative ideas.

The illumination stage is often characterized by a sudden realization or breakthrough regarding the creative task. This is the moment when ideas that have been swirling in the subconscious 'click' into place. It's often experienced as a moment of clarity that comes seemingly out of nowhere after the difficult period of incubation.

Think of a writer struggling with a plot for a novel. After days of frustration, they might be washing dishes when suddenly, the perfect twist for their story comes to mind—this 'Aha!' moment can happen anywhere and anytime.

Last is the stage of verification when the worth or appropriateness of ideas or solutions are tested and judged. Here, convergent thinking plays its role in selecting the appropriate idea or solution that works.

The verification stage involves critically assessing the ideas generated during earlier stages. This includes practical testing of the ideas to see if they address the original problem effectively. It's a crucial step to ensure that the creative output is not only novel but also applicable and useful.

Imagine an inventor who has created a prototype for a new gadget. Before bringing it to market, they need to test it extensively to ensure it works as intended and solves the problem it was designed for. This verification ensures the solution is viable before launching it.

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