Stages of Creative Thinking
Creative thinking involves four distinct stages- preparation,
incubation, illumination, and verification.
1. The stage of preparation: This stage consists of purposeful
study and enquiry in order to collect experience and information needed to
solve the mystery.
2. The stage of incubation: Following the preparatory stage,
there is a period of test when there is no obvious activity and progress. The
person organizes and tests his ideas. This period involves vicarious experiencing
of the problem. Flashes of insight and trial judgment occur. Mind continues its
search; it seeks to uncover new relationship among familiar facts. The problem
is solved unconsciously.
3. The stage of illumination: During this stage, the individual
suddenly perceives the theme and new relationship among the various components
of the problems. This results in the solution of the problem.
4. The stage of verification: During this stage the new
theme is checked out to determine whether the solution appeared through insight
is the correct one. The individual rethinks, revise and refines the solution.
Comments