Many ways to develop original thoughts and ideas today are in demand in various fields of life. With their help, the leaders of large organizations increase work efficiency in conditions of fierce competition, and creative groups stimulate the development of innovative methods of activity.
Analogy - what is it? One of many ways to implement an unusual approach to solving a problem. Its peculiarity is the existence of the possibility of using several techniques, the combination of which greatly expands the scope of the search for an original answer to a trivial question.
Analogy method: purpose, essence and purpose
The purpose of this method is to maximize the “acceleration” of thinking, coupled with a decrease in the influence of psychological inertia. This will allow you to find an original solution to the problem.
The analogy method is used to search for non-standard conclusions in various fields of human activity. Its systematic application occurs in the field of similarity theory, which is often used in modeling.
The use of analogies is one of many universal techniques that mobilizes intelligence resources in order to solve creative problems and to search for new ideas.
What is the essence of this method? An analogy is used to direct the brain to unusual thoughts about something, but it does not answer the question of the correctness of the assumption.
To some extent, the method of synectics makes unfamiliar things familiar and, using the similarities seen, allows you to solve the problem in a known way, and vice versa: makes familiar things unfamiliar, giving you the opportunity to look at the problem from a new perspective, which often leads to new and original solutions.
What is the action plan?
The concept of “analogy” includes four fundamental types of this method of solving problems: direct, symbolic, subjective and fantastic analogies, each of which covers the experience and thoughts of people.
Each of these species has its own rules for the search for analogy.
They become more apparent by introducing the following classification:
- Direct are real.
- Symbolic - abstract.
- Subjective - bodily.
- Fantastic - unreal.
Simple analogies imply a conclusion in which, on the basis of the similarity of two objects in some signs, they conclude their similarities in others. They are used to classify a number of objects. Complex analogies are conclusions that are made on the basis of a combination of features of objects through various inferences.
Types of Analogies
So analogy - what is it? This is a synectic method . One of the most common ways to enhance the creative potential of a person, with which you can overcome familiar patterns. This method is based on the properties of the brain to establish associative connections between objects, words, feelings, emotions, concepts, impressions and thoughts.
W. Gordon - the author of this method - conceived it as one of the varieties of brainstorming or a collective solution to a creative problem, but it can be used in splendid isolation.
A direct, fantastic, personal and subjective analogy. What? These are the main types of creative method for solving problems. Let us consider each of them in more detail.
Direct analogy
To work with this type of synectics, it is necessary to find similar solutions to the problem in other areas of human life: life, industry, nature, science, business, etc. For example, in advertising for welding equipment, the main characteristic of which is high speed, an analogy with a sewing machine was used.
Symbolic analogy
The symbolic analogy method involves reducing your entire creative task to a short symbol or expression that reflects the essence of your problem. This may be some kind of metaphor, image, sign. The most important thing is to express the essence of the problem that needs to be solved as clearly and concisely as possible. The simplest example: ice cream is sweet ice.
Fantastic analogy
To apply a fantastic analogy in order to solve a creative problem, it is necessary to place it in a nonexistent, unrealistic environment. You can use fantastic technology, antiheroes or heroes.
Personal or subjective analogy
When applying the method of subjective or personal analogy, you must imagine yourself as an object (or part thereof) or as an element of a creative task to be solved. The essence of this method of searching for a new idea is to feel how the selected object affects the environment, and the environment - on the object.
Building an analogy: the intricacies of the synectic method
How to apply this method of creative problem solving? Constructing an analogy is a fairly well-known method of creating fresh ideas, however, like any technique, it has its own characteristics, knowing that you can use it more effectively. Synectics serves a simple and useful purpose: get off the ground and start generating ideas. It gives an impetus, which is necessary in order to overcome the force of gravity of everyday reality and break into the boundless and enchanting world of the possible.
Here is the most productive scheme for solving a creative problem.
- As clearly as possible formulate the problem that needs to be solved. It is always necessary to begin work with this step, since without it, in 90% of cases, all further actions can be directed in the wrong direction. So, formulate the task in writing. The effort spent on fixing what you want to achieve will pay off many times during the work.
- Regarding the development of the task, ask a series of questions of the type “If ... then what?” on the simplest topics. For example: if shoes, then what? If the occupation, then what? If a fairy tale, then what? If a song, then what? If a book, then which one? Do not forget to answer them. Thus, you can generate an initial set of topics to bring the association.
- The next step that you must take is to choose two or three analogies that seem to you the most interesting and related to some process.
- Now, with each of them, reveal the processes that underlie the original task. To do this, divide the sheet of paper into two columns. The left column will contain a description of the processes that are related to the topic of analogy, and the right column will contain processes related to your problem.
- The next step is to look for similarities and parallels between the processes in the left and right columns. Consider how you can use the resulting mappings to solve the problem. Fix all emerging ideas on paper.
- Choose the best ideas and work on their development.
That’s the whole algorithm of the analogy method. The success of solving a creative problem directly depends on the initial selection of topics, a good choice of associations, the ability to see the laws of processes, your emancipation when creating an idea. A little energy - and the result will exceed all your expectations.
The analogy method can be successfully used in all areas of activity where a fresh look at everyday things is needed.
Synectics: Pros and Cons
Analogy - what is it? One of the most popular brainstorming methods. Consider its advantages and disadvantages.
The virtues of synectics are its effectiveness, universality, in comparison with other alternative ways of developing abstract thinking. In addition, its undoubted advantage is the improvement of individual qualities of character, among which are imagination and intuition. The analogy method is a good way to activate brain activity, which provides a critical assessment in preparing the result, and this, in turn, improves the quality of work.
Among the shortcomings of synectics, perhaps the main one is its complexity, despite the fact that the mechanisms and tools of this technique seem quite simple. Organization of the analogy method at the professional level is a rather complicated undertaking.