Examples of Lateral Thinking
We hear a lot of about lateral thinking, but what is it and what are some examples of lateral thinking?
The word lateral thinking was invented by Edward DeBono in 1967. It has since become a part of the English language.
Some good examples of lateral thinking are thinking puzzles. These are puzzles that demand you to think out of your typical logic, step outside the box so to speak. Take a look at a situation from a different perspective.
DeBono uses the chess game as examples of lateral thinking. As you look at the chess board, you see the pieces and use your logical thinking about your next move, but it takes lateral thinking to see where the pieces should go, where the game will turn, you have to be able to look at future moves.
Try out these two puzzles, see if you can come up with an answer just using your logical thinking, or do you need to reach out and use your lateral thinking?
Here are a couple of examples of lateral thinking:
The Superior Mother
There was a man that visited a convent, which is not allowed, but the superior mother was out of town and wouldn’t know about it. He was really careful not to leave any traces of his visit, the nuns all kept quiet, but still, the superior mother knew he had been there. Do you know how she knew?
Turn On Your Lateral Thinking
There is a room that is closed, and on the outside of that room are three light switches on the wall. Inside the closed room are three lamps. While the room is closed, you can flip the switches as much as you want, remember the door is closed. Next, you are to go into the room one time and you need to figure out which switch works for each lamp. How are you going to figure this out?
Both of these examples of lateral thinking have very logical answers, but to get the answers, you need to think creatively.
I will give you the answer to the convent puzzle….the guy left the toilet seat up…see…so simple, but you really have to use your lateral thinking to get the answer. Good luck with the second one!
