Critical Thinking versus Creative Problem Solving

The Differences:

For the last few days, we have discussed how to use critical thinking and creative problem solving to work through various issues, such as choosing a college or solving a problem with bored cats. Several differences appear as we ventured through the two processes used to reach the best possible solutions. 

For instance, critical thinking often occurs in orderly manner with a focus on facts and reliable information to make informed decisions. The process is also designed to understand a subject in greater depth rather than solve a problem. Critical thinking is also a logical process that categorizes and classifies for rational and orderly decision making.

Creative problem solving tends to use unrestrained approaches to reach unique or new solutions. Additionally, the depth of imagination we use in creative problem solving makes it ideal for innovating, improving, or changing an item, technique, or idea. Another difference is creative problem solving works better with a little chaos. Disorder or lack of categories can encourage broader connections and leaps in thought that are vital to generating ideas resulting new or unique concepts.

The Similarities:

As much as the two methods, critical thinking and creative problem solving, differ they also contain similarities.  For example, both are a complex, teachable process used in decision making. Also, many of the same skills are helpful, such as perseverance, concentration, and curiosity.
 

In addition, the elements that affect critical thinking also affect creative problem solving, including the environmental, psychological, social, and educational factors. Another commonality is some of the steps applied in both processes. Each process requires us to gather information, analyze problems, and explore options.

Another important point  is the excellent way the processes work together to find creative solutions to complex problems. We use critical thinking steps such as identifying the problem to begin our creative problem solving process. 

As an example, to generate numerous options, we use creative problem solving techniques, such as brainstorming. Once we find an idea or two we want to try, the critical thinking process is exercised to categorize what does and does not work. The categories are then used to make new connections (creative problem solving again) on the road to improving our approach. Last, when we implement our unique idea we use critical thinking to examine the solution for viability. Though each process is used to solve specific problems, complicated problems benefit from the use of both processes.