What is convergent thinking? What is divergent thinking? How are these two types of thinking related to creativity? Describe experiments that have shown (a) how fi xation can affect creativity; (b) de Mestral’s use of analogy to invent Velcro; and (c) Finke’s creative cognition procedure.

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Convergent thinking is defined as the method of thinking which focuses on consolidating within the single as well as well-established result for a problem. It is inclined towards discovering the single, best, or even the most appropriate answer to a query. It emphasizes accuracy, speed, as well as logic and also focuses on recalling the familiar as well as accumulating stored information.

Divergent thinking is the process used to generate creative ideas by exploring as many solutions as possible. It is used in conjugation with cognitive or opposite, convergent thinking that follows a pattern of logical steps to move towards one solution, which is considered a correct solution. It occurs spontaneously and non-linearly so that most of the ideas generate cognitively.