Module 13A Theory on concentration and creativity Theory on Parallel Thinking Estimated time: 30 minutes.

Write reflection notes all day

Empty your mind of thoughts all the day

One reflection for each paper

Concentration

Avoid physical interruptions

Mendelsohn G. A. (1976) Associative and attentional processes in creative performance. Journal of Personality, 44, 366

The greater the attention capacity, the more likely the combinatorial leap

- that leads to new thoughts

Avoid mental interruptions (1/2)

Stress decreases originality in association tasks

Coren, S. & Shulman, M. (1971). Effects of an external stress on commonality of verbal associates. Psychological Reports, 28, 328-330

Avoid mental interruptions (2/2)

Stress decreases originality in creativity tests

Krop, H. D., Alegre C. E., & Williams, C. D. (1969). Effects of induced stress on convergent and divergent thinking. Psychological Reports, 24, 895-898

Clear you mind from non-important thoughts

The number of elements a human mind can process is

seven - plus/minus two

Miller, G. A. (1956), The Magical Number Seven, Plus Minus Two: Some Limits on our Capacity for Processing Information, Psychological Review, 63, 81-97

Parallel Thinking

Please sit down

Parallel thinking

All participants think of the same task at the same time

No discussion allowed

de Bono, E. (1994). Parallel thinking: from Socratic thinking to de Bono

thinking, Viking

Parallel thinking

de Bono, E. (1994). Parallel thinking: from Socratic thinking to de Bono

thinking, Viking

Discussion Parallel thinking

Parallel thinking

de Bono, E. (1994). Parallel thinking: from Socratic thinking to de Bono

thinking, Viking

DiscussionParallel thinking

Task A PositioningProduct/Service

Task B Argument Marketing

Task C Persuasion Finance

Task D - Organizing

Task E - Etc...

Parallel thinking

One task - one deadline

Divide the process into small/short tasks

Only provide the participants with one task at a time

Keep future tasks hidden

de Bono, E. (1994). Parallel thinking: from Socratic thinking to de Bono

thinking, Viking

Parallel thinking

Help participants forget the previous task(s)

Focus should ONLY be on ONE task at a time

de Bono, E. (1994). Parallel thinking: from Socratic thinking to de Bono

thinking, Viking

External memory

Write EVERY IDEA down

Write ALL irrelevant thoughts down (all you need to remember or to do)

It will help you to have mental capacity for new thoughts and ideas in you mind

Byrge, C. (2010). Conceptualisation of creativity practices through action research: The case of the creative platform at aalborg

university, PhD thesis, Aalborg University