Vertical thinking is a finite process, lateral thinking is a probabilistic one
De Bono contrasts following a defined line of reasoning with searching for a new way to frame a problem. Lateral thinking aims to improve the chance of insight without guaranteeing one; a formal method’s guarantees depend on the problem meeting its conditions.
THE IDEA
Vertical thinking is a finite process, lateral thinking is a probabilistic one
With vertical thinking one expects to come up with an answer. A mathematical technique can guarantee an answer when the problem meets its conditions. With lateral thinking there may not be any answer at all. Lateral thinking increases the chances for a restructuring of the patterns, for an insight solution. But this may not come about. In this contrast, vertical thinking follows an established route toward a solution. Lateral thinking increases the chances of a maximum solution but makes no promises.
If there were some black balls in a bag and just one white ball the chances of picking out that white ball would be low. If you went on adding white balls to the bag your chances of picking out a white ball would increase all the time. Yet at no time could you be absolutely certain of picking out a white ball. Lateral thinking increases the chances of bringing about insight restructuring and the better one is at lateral thinking the better are the chances. Lateral thinking is as definite a procedure as putting more white balls into the bag but the outcome is still probabilistic. Yet the pay off from a new idea or an insight restructuring of an old idea can be so huge that the potential return can justify the time spent trying lateral thinking. Where vertical thinking has come up against a blank wall one would have to use lateral thinking even if the chances of success were very low.
When to use it
Brainstorming sessions for new product ideas
Solving complex engineering problems with no obvious solution
Creative writing and plot development
Strategic planning when traditional methods fail.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Bag of balls analogy
If there were some black balls in a bag and just one white ball, the chances of picking out that white ball would be low. Adding more white balls increases the chances but never guarantees picking a white ball. Similarly, lateral thinking increases the probability of insight restructuring but does not guarantee it.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
How can you apply lateral thinking when you are stuck on a problem using vertical thinking?
In what situations is vertical thinking more appropriate than lateral thinking?
Think of a time when a probabilistic approach (lateral thinking) led to a breakthrough insight.
Often confused with
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Lateral Thinking A Textbook of Creativity (Edward de Bono)