Understanding Thinking Skills
Learn to Develop Teaching Strategies Based Upon Research
© John Byk
Sep 10, 2009
The tongue-in-cheek suggestion that some men "need to get in touch with their feminine side" may have more to do with developing right-brain, creative skills than anything else. Educational institutions, perhaps unfairly, assume that boys are naturally better at math and science than girls. The stereotype of the nerdy, dateless computer geek reflects an assumption that most men always use their left-brain, analytical and creative skills and neglect their creative, right-brain skills.
Analytical or Creative Thinking
Society economically values critical and analytical thinkers. Most lucrative professions, such as medicine and law, seek developed left-brain thinkers who can focus on details and perform in a highly structured linear pattern while working. Creative thinkers, on the other hand, find their abilities less valued in the marketplace. Musicians, actors and artists find it difficult to earn an income comparable to people who use critical thinking skills in their jobs.
The Creative Mind
Spontaneity and holistic world views are necessary to develop creative thinking skills. "Thinking outside the box" is an ability that is admired with much lip service, but the truth is that mavericks and professionals who pursue ideas contrary to the mainstream of their profession are not often embraced. Consider the astronomers Copernicus or Galileo as examples. Even though their claims that of heliocentric solar system were based upon scientific observations and mathematical calculations, their ideas were initially ridiculed.
Balancing Left and Right Brain Thinking
Properly trained musicians who can read music are said to be one of the few types of people who use creative and critical thinking skills simultaneously and productively. Music is constructed in a linear fashion and composed of detailed, mathematical segments that interlock to create something bigger – a song. Critical thinking skills are necessary to interpret and process sheet music, but creative thinking skills are needed just as much to perform a piece that has aesthetic qualities with feeling.
Developing Critical or Creative Thinking Skills
Shortly after adolescence, the brain's ability to develop cognitively starts to diminish. This is not to say that either critical or creative thinking skills can be improved into adulthood, but it just becomes harder. Parents may want their child to be a highly acclaimed classical pianist or neurosurgeon, but excelling in both fields is rarely accomplished.
While creative thinkers might not be valued in the business world as much as critical thinkers are, it should be the goal of every educator and parent to develop the capabilities of both brain hemispheres in children as much as possible in order to insure maximum development and human potential.
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