Imagination is the most appropriate approach to creativity when

breakthroughs are needed and when original ideas are necessary.

 
Incubation is the most appropriate approach to creativity when a collective
effort and involvement from others are important.
 
Improvement is the most appropriate approach to creativity when incremental
changes or tightening up processes are necessary.
 
Investment is the most appropriate approach to creativity when quick
responses and goal achievement take priority.

Perceptual stereotyping involves defining a problem by using preconceptions

based on past experiences, preventing the problem from being viewed in novel
ways.
 
Noninquisitiveness is the failure to ask questions, obtain information, or
search for data.
 
Synectics is a technique for improving creative problem solving by putting
something you don’t know in terms of something you do know.
 
Flexibility of thought is the diversity of ideas or concepts generated.

Evaluate and select an alternative is the step of the problem-solving model that
involves carefully weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed
alternatives before making a final selection.
 
Generating alternative solutions is the second step of problem solving. It
requires postponing the selection of any one solution until several alternatives
have been proposed.
 
Defining the problem is the first step in problem solving. It involves
diagnosing a situation so that the focus is on the real problem.
 
Implementing and following up on the solution is the fourth step of problem
solving. Successfully implementing solutions to a problem involves
overcoming resistance, generating commitment from others, and ensuring
that the solution is sustainable.
Constancy is the conceptual block that inhibits creative thinking
when individuals become wedded to one way of looking at a problem.
 
Commitment is the conceptual block that inhibits creative thinking when
individuals become married to a particular point of view, definition, or
solution, as it is likely that they will follow through on that commitment.
 
Compression is the conceptual block that inhibits creative thinking when
individuals look too narrowly at a problem, screen out too much relevant data,
and make assumptions that inhibit problem solving.
 
Complacency is the conceptual block that inhibits creative thinking due to a
lack of questioning and a bias against thinking.

Providing opportunities for feedback is a characteristic of the implement and

follow up on the solution step of the problem-solving model. Other
characteristics of this step include implementing the solution at the proper
time and in the right sequence, engendering acceptance of those who are
affected, establishing an ongoing monitoring system, and evaluating based on
problem solutions.
 
Determining whose problem it is a characteristic of step one of the problem-
solving model.
 
Postponing evaluation is a characteristic of step two of the problem-solving
model.
 
Evaluating systematically is a characteristic of step three of the problem-
solving model.

Vertical thinking is defining a problem in a single way and then pursuing that
definition without deviation until a solution is reached.
 
Ambidextrous thinking is the use of both the left and right sides of the brain,
indicative of the most creative problem solvers.
 
Janusian thinking is thinking contradictory thoughts at the same time. It is
conceiving two opposing ideas to be true concurrently.
 
Thinking languages are the various ways in which a problem can be
considered, from verbal to nonverbal or symbolic languages as well as through
sensory and visual imagery. Using only one thinking language is one
indication of the constancy block.

The illumination stage of creative problem solving occurs when an insight is

recognized and a creative solution is articulated.
 
The incubation stage of creative problem solving involves mostly unconscious
mental activity in which the mind combines unrelated thoughts in pursuit of a
solution.
 
The preparation stage of creative problem solving includes gathering data,
defining a problem, generating alternatives, and consciously examining all
available information.
 
The verification stage of creative problem solving involves evaluating the
creative solution relative to some standard of acceptability.

People who pursue creativity through imagination tend to be experimenters

and entrepreneurs.
 
People who pursue creativity through incubation tend to be team players and
to foster trust and cohesion.
 
People who pursue creativity through improvement develop better
alternatives and improve upon what already exists.
 
People who pursue creativity through investment tend to meet challenges
head-on, adopt a competitive posture, and focus on achieving results faster
than others.