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5 - Analogical Thinking in Problem-Solving and Creativity

from Part II - Analytic Thinking in Creativity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 2020

Robert W. Weisberg
Robert W. Weisberg
Affiliation:
Temple University, Philadelphia
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Summary

In earlier chapters, we saw multiple examples of analogical thinking in creativity. The specific role of analogical thinking in creativity is the focus of Chapter 5. The chapter first reviews general aspects of analogical thinking, which leads to an examination of the mechanisms whereby analogical thinking plays a role in creativity. One such mechanism involves analogical transfer: the solution from a problem in memory is transferred to a new problem. A different use of analogical thinking in creativity occurs when a person has been working unsuccessfully on a problem and then puts it aside. The person then encounters an object in the world that is analogous to what is needed to solve the problem and provides an idea for solution. In this chapter, we will flesh out the details underlying use of analogies, including some situations in which analogical use is difficult.

Keywords

Analogical transfer in problem-solvinganalogy in creativityanalogy in problem-solving
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Chapter
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Rethinking Creativity
Inside-the-Box Thinking as the Basis for Innovation
 , pp. 145 - 180
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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