In psychology, convergent thinking is a cognitive process that involves using logic and established rules to find a single, correct solution to a problem. It's a form of critical thinking that's often used in decision-making, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
Here are some characteristics of convergent thinking:
Logical reasoning
Convergent thinking involves using logical inference to narrow down the solution to a problem.
Practical
It's a practical approach when you need to come up with a specific solution or choose from a limited number of options.
Linear
It's a linear decision-making framework that's faster and unambiguous.
Best for certain tasks
It's best suited for tasks that involve logic as opposed to creativity, such as answering multiple-choice tests.
Convergent thinking is the opposite of divergent thinking, which is a more creative thought process. Psychologist Joy Paul Guilford identified convergent thinking in 1967.