Synectics Thinking Technique

Synectics thinking technique is a method among creative thinking techniques. Its terminological origin derives from Greek; it comes from the words syn (to bring together) and ectics (different elements). This concept refers to establishing connections between disparate and seemingly unrelated parts or combining unrelated ideas. It is also defined as a creative problem-solving method that uses metaphors. Synectics employs metaphors and analogies to make known or unusual problem situations more familiar and to generate creative solutions.

History and Development

The synectics technique was first developed by William J. J. Gordon and his colleagues. The aim of developing this technique was to find creative solutions to problems within industrial organizations. Gordon arrived at this technique through research into methods that creative individuals used unconsciously.^【1】

Synectics is based on several fundamental hypotheses that support the development of creativity and problem-solving capacity. According to these assumptions:

• Human creativity is innate.
• The creative process can be defined and human creative abilities can be enhanced through specific processes or techniques.
• Creative processes are the same across all fields.
• Being aware of the psychological processes one uses increases creative productivity.
• Developing imaginative and emotional analogies during the problem-solving process increases the likelihood of reaching a solution.

Functional Mechanisms (Types of Analogies)

The synectics technique systematically uses analogies to activate creative thinking. The core synectic mechanisms are as follows:

1. Direct Analogy: This is the simple comparison of two objects or concepts. Facts, information, or technologies from one field serve as the basis for generating ideas in another field. These analogies are explicit and generate the most probable solutions to the problem. Their function is to observe the problem from a new perspective or transfer the actual problem conditions to another context.
2. Personal Analogy: This involves the individual placing themselves in the position of the object, idea, or thing being studied, empathizing with it, and attempting to think as it would. This mechanism aims to integrate the person with the problem and reveal previously unnoticed aspects of the problem situation. Personal analogies that attribute human emotions to inanimate objects are considered the highest level.
3. Pressed Conflict / Reconciliation of Opposites: This occurs when concepts, facts, or objects are expressed using contradictory terms or conflicting statements. This mechanism aims to generate associations between ideas and is regarded as a fundamental mechanism for adjusting the conceptual distance between the individual and the problem.
4. Fantasy Analogy: These are connections and relationships established by imagining desires, wishes, and needs.
5. Symbolic Analogy: This analogy is based on comparisons between objects and concepts.

Application

Synectics is a technique that can be applied either individually or in groups. It enables the systematic generation of creative solutions to problems. One type of application is called “making the strange familiar.” This approach begins with the establishment of direct analogies and concludes with the emergence of an original product. The method is used in education to contribute to the development of students’ creative thinking skills.