Perceptual Choice
In de Bono’s account, perceptual choice groups information before logical or mathematical processing begins. Lateral thinking can question those initial groupings and try a different representation of the problem.
THE IDEA
Processing perceptual choice
Logical thinking and mathematics are both second stage information processing techniques. They can only be used at the end of the first stage. In this first stage information is parcelled up by perceptual choice into the packages that are so efficiently handled by the second stage techniques. It is perceptual choice which determines what goes into each package. Perceptual choice is the natural patterning behaviour of mind. Instead of accepting the packages provided by perceptual choice and going ahead with logical or mathematical processing one might want to process the packages themselves. To do this one would have to use lateral thinking.
When to use it
Breaking free from habitual patterns of thought when analyzing complex data.
Generating creative solutions by deliberately re-framing a problem or situation.
Teaching students to look at problems from multiple perspectives before applying standard methods.
Designing marketing campaigns that challenge consumers' existing perceptual packages of a product.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Market data analysis
A business analyst naturally groups monthly sales figures by region, product line, and season. This perceptual choice shapes subsequent logical analysis. If the analyst wants to see a different pattern, lateral thinking might re-package the data by customer demographics or purchasing behavior.
Educational problem-solving
A student interprets a math word problem as requiring a familiar formula. Recasting it as a diagram may reveal a different way to represent the relationships before doing the calculation.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
In what ways does your natural perceptual choice influence how you approach problems?
Can you identify a recent situation where you used lateral thinking to repackage information?
How might your perceptual choice limit or enhance your decision-making in a business context?
Often confused with
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Lateral Thinking A Textbook of Creativity (Edward de Bono)