Editing Lateral thinking (section)

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Short description|Manner of solving problems}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2017}}
[[File:Edward de Bono - The Hub Kings Cross 2009 15.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Maltese psychologist [[Edward de Bono]] (pictured in 2009) introduced the term "lateral thinking" in 1967.]]

'''Lateral thinking''' is a manner of [[Problem solving|solving problems]] using an indirect and [[creativity|creative]] approach via [[reasoning]] that is not immediately obvious. Synonymous to [[thinking outside the box]], it involves ideas that may not be obtainable using only traditional step-by-step [[logic]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Oxford English Dictionary: Lateral thinking|url=https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/lateral_thinking|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220191248/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/lateral_thinking|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 December 2016|access-date=19 December 2016|publisher=Oxford University Press}}</ref> The cutting of the [[Gordian Knot]] is a classical example. 

The term was first used in 1967 by Maltese psychologist [[Edward de Bono]] who used the [[Judgement of Solomon]], the [[Nine dots puzzle|Nine Dots Puzzle]], and the [[sewing machine]] (automating the work rather than adding more workers) as examples, among many others, of lateral thinking.<ref>{{cite book |last1=de Bono |first1=Edward |title=The Use of Lateral Thinking |date=1971 |publisher=Avon Books |isbn=978-0140137880}}</ref> 

Lateral thinking deliberately distances itself from [[Vertical Thinking]], the traditional method for problem solving.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Vertical versus Lateral Thinking <ref>{{cite web |author1=James S. Hernandez |author2=Prathibha Varkey |title=Vertical versus Lateral Thinking |url=https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=2d4671a5ce58041d24cbc582e512b21e569b9e51 |publisher=The Physician Executive |access-date=12 November 2024 |location=May June 2008 |page=26 |format=newsletter |date=2008}}</ref>
|-
! !! Vertical Thinking !! Lateral Thinking
|-
| linear || yes || no
|-
| pattern || develop an existing pattern || restructure an existing pattern
|-
| direction || stepwise and methodical || multidirectional and creative
|-
| uncertainty tolerated || no || yes
|-
| rewards for || depth of knowledge || breadth of knowledge
|-
| restricted by relevant information || yes || no
|-
| novel approaches welcomed || no || yes
|}

De Bono argues lateral thinking entails a switch-over from a familiar pattern to a new, unexpected one.  Such insight sometimes takes the form of humour<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rodgers |first=Chris |date=November 2009 |title=Blog: The significance of humour – pattern switching and lateral thinking |url=https://informalcoalitions.typepad.com/informal_coalitions/2009/11/the-significance-of-humour-pattern-switching-and-lateral-thinking.html |website=Informal Coalitions}}</ref> 
but can also be cultivated.<ref>{{Cite web |last=de Bono|first=Edward |title=Teaching Creative Thinking 3 – deBono |url=https://www.debono.com/teaching-creative-thinking-3 |website=de Bono}}</ref>

Critics have characterized lateral thinking as a [[pseudo-science|pseudo-scientific]] concept, arguing de Bono's core ideas have never been rigorously tested or corroborated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aeon.co/essays/lateral-thinking-is-classic-pseudoscience-derivative-and-untested|publisher=[[Aeon.co]]|first=Antonio|last=Melechi|editor-first=Pam|editor-last=Weintraub|title=Lateral thinking is classic pseudoscience, derivative and untested|work=Aeon Essays|date=11 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cdYCAAAAMBAJ&q=%22example+of+lateral+thinking%22&pg=PA61|title=Snoopy or the Tiger?|date=18 November 1968|work=New York Magazine|publisher=New York Media, LLC|page=61|language=en|last1=Diebold|first1=John|access-date=5 June 2017}}</ref>