Lateral Thinking audiobook cover - Creativity Step by Step

Lateral Thinking

Creativity Step by Step

Edward de Bono

★ 4.3 / 5(424 ratings)
Start ListeningDownload App
Categories:
PsychologyPersonal DevelopmentCreativity

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

Listen to Lateral Thinking — Free Audiobook

Loading player...

Key Takeaways from Lateral Thinking

Learning Tools

Reinforce what you learned from Lateral Thinking

Mind Map

Lateral Thinking
Core Philosophy+
Mindset & Environment+
Problem-Solving Techniques+
Shifting Perspectives+
Exercises & Stimulation+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
How does the author distinguish lateral thinking from vertical thinking?
  • A. Lateral thinking is the exact opposite of vertical thinking and should entirely replace it.
  • B. Vertical thinking digs a hole deeper, while lateral thinking finds a new place to dig.
  • C. Lateral thinking relies heavily on data and facts to solidify a single idea.
  • D. Vertical thinking is only used by creative professionals, while lateral thinking is for scientists.
Question 2 of 7
Why does the author recommend setting 'quotas' during lateral thinking exercises?
  • A. To measure the creative intelligence of individual team members.
  • B. To limit the amount of time wasted on irrelevant or absurd ideas.
  • C. To force participants to agree on a single, dominant idea by the end of the session.
  • D. To ensure that good intentions to find alternative ideas are actually put into practice.
Question 3 of 7
According to the text, what role do 'wrong' or 'bad' ideas play in a lateral thinking session?
  • A. They should be quickly identified and discarded to keep the brainstorming session efficient.
  • B. They are useful only for identifying what not to do during the selective stage.
  • C. They should be embraced because they can inspire breakthroughs or lead to brilliant new ideas.
  • D. They indicate that the group has not properly identified the dominant idea of the problem.
Question 4 of 7
What is the primary purpose of using the 'reversal method' (e.g., imagining 'traffic directing policemen')?
  • A. To find the logical flaws in the current system of operation.
  • B. To permanently reverse the roles within a specific organizational structure.
  • C. To create a humorous environment that relaxes the participants.
  • D. To provoke the mind into considering other possibilities it might otherwise miss.
Question 5 of 7
What does the tennis tournament example (calculating the number of matches for 110 participants) demonstrate about lateral thinking?
  • A. Approaching a problem by paying attention to what is usually overlooked (the losers) can provide an easier solution.
  • B. Focusing on the winners is the most efficient way to organize a tournament bracket.
  • C. Complex problems always require complex mathematical formulas and vertical thinking.
  • D. Tournaments should be broken down into smaller fractions to be managed effectively.
Question 6 of 7
How does the 'formal generation' technique use a dictionary to spur new ideas?
  • A. By looking up the exact definition of the problem to ensure everyone understands it.
  • B. By finding synonyms for the dominant idea to make the brainstorming session more articulate.
  • C. By selecting a completely random word to see how it interacts with the current problem.
  • D. By searching for antonyms to effectively apply the reversal method.
Question 7 of 7
What is the function of the word 'Po' as suggested by Edward de Bono?
  • A. It is an acronym for 'Problem Oriented' thinking.
  • B. It is a linguistic tool used to replace 'No' and encourage illogical or unconventional ideas.
  • C. It is a signal used to transition from the generative stage to the selective stage of brainstorming.
  • D. It is a prompt used to remind the group of the original dominant idea.

Lateral Thinking — Full Chapter Overview

Lateral Thinking Summary & Overview

Lateral Thinking (1970) explains the important differences between vertical and lateral thinking. It offers techniques on how to strengthen your ability to think creatively – and spark important changes and innovations along the way. It also provides lessons that teachers can use to help young students develop a talent for lateral thinking.

Who Should Listen to Lateral Thinking?

  • People who want to improve at thinking outside the box
  • Teachers looking for lessons to inspire creative thinking
  • Executives eager for more productive brainstorming sessions

About the Author: Edward de Bono

Edward de Bono was a philosopher, professor, psychologist, and the inventor of the term “lateral thinking.” He was on the faculty of universities such as Oxford, Harvard, and Cambridge. He wrote over 80 books, including The Mechanism of the Mind and Six Thinking Hats. 

🎧
Listen in the AppOffline playback & background play
Get App