1. Module 13A Theory on concentration and creativity Theory on Parallel Thinking Estimated time: 30 minutes

2. Write reflection notes all day Empty your mind of thoughts all the day One reflection for each paper

3. Concentration

4. Avoid physical interruptions Mendelsohn G. A. (1976) Associative and attentional processes in creative performance. Journal of Personality, 44, 366 The greater the attention capacity, the more likely the combinatorial leap - that leads to new thoughts

5. Avoid mental interruptions (1/2) Stress decreases originality in association tasks Coren, S. & Shulman, M. (1971). Effects of an external stress on commonality of verbal associates. Psychological Reports, 28, 328-330

6. Avoid mental interruptions (2/2) Stress decreases originality in creativity tests Krop, H. D., Alegre C. E., & Williams, C. D. (1969). Effects of induced stress on convergent and divergent thinking. Psychological Reports, 24, 895-898

7. Clear you mind from non-important thoughts The number of elements a human mind can process is seven - plus/minus two Miller, G. A. (1956), The Magical Number Seven, Plus Minus Two: Some Limits on our Capacity for Processing Information, Psychological Review, 63, 81-97

8. Parallel Thinking

10. 3D CASE: Clap with your feet 1. Please stand up 2. Find together two and two with someone who has the same underarm length as yourself 3. Stand face to face with your partner 4. When I say ONE you clap your right foot against your partners right foot (say ONE 3-4 times) 5. When I say TWO you clap your left foot against your partners left foot (say TWO 2-3 times) 6. When I say THREE you turn around and clap both hands backwards against your partners hands (say THREE 2 times) 7. Now I count ONE, TWO, THREE, ONE, THREE, ONE… 8. Now with closed eyes

11. Please sit down

12. Parallel thinking All participants think of the same task at the same time No discussion allowed de Bono, E. (1994). Parallel thinking: from Socratic thinking to de Bono thinking, Viking

13. Parallel thinking de Bono, E. (1994). Parallel thinking: from Socratic thinking to de Bono thinking, Viking DiscussionParallel thinking

14. de Bono, E. (1994). Parallel thinking: from Socratic thinking to de Bono thinking, Viking DiscussionParallel thinking Task APositioningProduct/Service Task BArgumentMarketing Task CPersuasionFinance Task D-Organizing Task E-Etc...

15. Parallel thinking One task - one deadline Divide the process into small/short tasks Only provide the participants with one task at a time Keep future tasks hidden de Bono, E. (1994). Parallel thinking: from Socratic thinking to de Bono thinking, Viking

16. Parallel thinking Help participants forget the previous task(s) Focus should ONLY be on ONE task at a time de Bono, E. (1994). Parallel thinking: from Socratic thinking to de Bono thinking, Viking

17. External memory Write EVERY IDEA down Write ALL irrelevant thoughts down (all you need to remember or to do) It will help you to have mental capacity for new thoughts and ideas in you mind Byrge, C. (2010). Conceptualisation of creativity practices through action research: The case of the creative platform at aalborg university, PhD thesis, Aalborg University