Differences and Dualities of Creative and Critical Thinking

The mind is a mysterious and magical thing, and the thought process is the same. Many people do not realize that there are two particular types of thinking, but most types of thoughts can be categorized as either creative or critical. "Creativity masters a process of making or producing, criticality a process of assessing or judging," and this is a main difference between critical thinking and creative thinking (Paul & Elder, 2006, p.35, pp.6). There is a difference between being a critical thinker and a creative thinker, but good thinking requires both.

Critical thinking may not sound like much fun, but it is important to the thought process. Critical thinkers scrutinize data and study facts and situations; critical thinkers think in a organized and logical way. A critical thinker gathers, analyzes, examines, and evaluates information; a critical thinker can also distinguish between opinion and fact. (Paul & Elder, 2006) Critical thinkers are influenced by straightforward information and detail, and they play a key role in our thought processes.

Creative thinkers come up with ideas and look at things from different perspectives, and these types of thinkers make atypical connections and look at things in new ways. A creative thinker brainstorms about ideas an looks at things from many different perspectives; a creative thinker also "takes risks" and goes against the normal views (Bishop, Carter, & Kravits, 2007, Ch.3).

Although these types of thought are different they work together. Thinking critically can provide you with information, but creative thinking can help you come up with ideas on how to solve problems. Creative thinking can come up with ideas, but critical thinking can evaluate these ideas and help decide what idea is the best solution.

Critical thinkers gather analyzes, and processes information; this leads to understanding a problem or option. Creative thinkers brainstorm and use their imagination to develop solutions, find options, and see things from different perspectives. These types of thought work hand-in-hand. "The mind's generative power (creativity) and its judiciousness (criticality) can be separated only artificially; in the process of actual thought, they are one" (Paul & Elder, 2006, pp 9). It seems to me that you can not have only one type of thinking; although one type of thinking may be more natural or enhanced in some. The brain can not make valid solutions without both types of thinking.

Reference:

Bishop, J., Carter, C., & Kravits, S. (2007). Keys to college studying:becoming an active thinker [2nd ed.]. Retrieved from https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/content/eBookLibrary2/content/eReader.asp

Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2006). Critical Thinking: The Nature of Critical and Creative Thought. Journal of Developmental Education, 30(2), 34-35. Retrieved from Research Starters - Education database.