Reversal (thinking tool)
Reversal is a creative thinking technique where you reverse a situation or its aspects to generate new perspectives and ideas, even if the reversal seems ridiculous.
THE IDEA
Reversal
In some cases the reversal may seem utterly ridiculous. This does not matter. It is just as useful to practise being ridiculous as to practise reversal. The exercise can reverse an aspect of the subject as well as the wording of a statement. For instance 'going on holiday' can be reversed as 'holiday coming to one'. On the other hand one might consider a holiday as 'a change of scenery' and reverse this to a holiday as 'complete uniformity of surroundings'.
2. What Reversal Leads To
Here one takes the situation and its reversal and sees what the reversal leads to. This is best done in a general classroom situation. The situation and its reversal are offered to the class and volunteer suggestions are invited as to lines of thought that the reversal might open up. For instance the idea that holidays might involve complete uniformity of surroundings might lead to the idea of freedom from decision, from stress, from having to adapt.
To begin with it is not always easy to develop further ideas from the reversed situation. That is why it is better to do it in an open class situation rather than require each student to work out something for himself. Once the idea is grasped and everyone seems eager to offer suggestions then each individual student can be asked to reverse a situation and develop lines of thought that arise from that reversal. In considering and commenting on these at the end it is necessary to be able to trace the line of development of an idea rather than just have the end product. For that reason the students ought to be encouraged to put down their train of thought.
When to use it
Brainstorming session for product innovation: reverse the use case of a product to find new markets.
Problem-solving in business: reverse the problem statement to find unexpected solutions.
Educational exercises: ask students to reverse historical events or scientific processes to deepen understanding.
Personal growth: reverse assumptions about your habits to identify opportunities for change.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Reversing 'Going on Holiday'
Instead of going on holiday, imagine the holiday coming to you. This could lead to ideas like having a staycation where you create a holiday atmosphere at home, or inviting the 'holiday' in the form of relaxation activities without travel.
Reversing 'Teacher Teaching'
Reverse the situation to 'student teaching' or 'teacher learning'. This could lead to new educational approaches like peer-to-peer teaching or having teachers learn from students' perspectives.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Think of a common activity you do regularly. Reverse one aspect of it. What new ideas does this reversal generate?
Why might it be useful to practice reversing even ridiculous ideas? How can this lead to innovation?
Describe a situation where applying the reversal technique helped you see a problem from a different angle.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Lateral Thinking A Textbook of Creativity (Edward de Bono)