2.4 Lateral Thinking (continued)

Lateral thinking is concerned with compensating for the deficiencies of the special memory‑surface as an information‑processing device. Lateral thinking has to do with rearranging available information so that it is snapped out of the established pattern and forms a new and better pattern. This rearrangement has the same effect as insight. The established patterns which determine the flow of thought can be changed by lateral thinking, as can the established patterns which control how things are looked at.

The memory‑surface itself, natural thinking, logical thinking and mathematical thinking are all selective processes. The memory surface selects what it will pay attention to. Natural thinking selects a pathway according to emphasis. Logical thinking blocks pathways according to the mismatch reaction. Mathematical thinking uses the rules of the game to select possible changes. The only generative process involved is the chance arrangement of information in the environment.

Figure 2.2: Lateral thinking