VAISHALI GILL
Usually, logical thinking is used to solve problems in a direct, straightforward way (also known as vertical thinking). Lateral thinking however, looks at things from a sideways perspective (also known as horizontal thinking), in order to find answers that aren't immediately apparent. The term was first used in 1967 by Maltese psychologist Edward de Bono in his book The Use of Lateral Thinking. According to de Bono, lateral thinking deliberately distances itself from the standard perception of creativity as vertical logic the classic method for problem solving. Learning to think laterally is, almost by definition, counterintuitive. The Lateral Thinking process involves creativity which is activated by the right side of brain while left side of brain is responsible for logical thinking. The Lateral thinking is also called Think out of box as we accept random ideas in place of step-by-step thinking. Edward de Bono developed some practical techniques for developing this overlooked capability. In his paper, Information Processing and New Ideas — Lateral and Vertical Thinking, de Bono described four such techniques. These four techniques are also discussed in this video.