MENTAL MODEL · M10697

Lateral Thinking

StructureHigh supportLogic

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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Proposed by Edward de Bono—a way of thinking opposite to "vertical thinking" (logical, linear, deep digging): - Not following the established path deeper - But jumping laterally to new perspectives - Challenging assumptions, changing frameworks - Using random stimuli, reverse thinking

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

When "trying harder to think" doesn't work, change direction. Many problems get stuck not because thinking isn't deep enough, but because the direction is wrong. Lateral thinking provides specific techniques to "step out".

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

In contrast to "vertical thinking" (logical, linear, digging deep along established paths), lateral thinking advocates lateral jumps and changing the problem framework to achieve breakthroughs. It holds that creativity is not a talent but a set of trainable operational techniques: challenging assumptions, random stimuli, suspending judgment.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Practice this model in one real situation:

Apply "Po" (provocative operation) to deliberately propose absurd propositions to stimulate new directions
use the random input method (e.g., flipping through a dictionary to pick a word) to break fixed patterns
use the concept fan to expand outward from the goal to multiple means. The key is to suspend criticism during the generation phase.

Check to track your progress (stored locally)

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Source support: Explicit

link
en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateral_thinkingZH · Explicit
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