Group Brainstorming in China from Helen Zhang

Thank you for this amazing insight into the social learning patterns of the Chines culture.

Would you say that primary and secondary education in China is firmly based in behaviorism and strict cognitivism? It sounds like that when you talk about how people learn by rote and not wanting to stray to far afield. I'm interested to know something about the framework and guidelines provided to the learners by  by P&G. I would assume they  were both cognitive and constructivist in nature?  

What validity do you think Vygotsky's or Bandura's  ideas about Social Learning would have for P&G in helping to open the creative window as the two cultures merge?

Would it be beneficial to understand how learning (and creativity) is also a matter of our situated nature in a particular culture?

What if P&G ran workshops in conjunction with what they are already doing that investigated the nature of situated learning in each culture?

What I am trying to ask is whether creativity is equally present in both cultures but looks different (if not invisible) through the lens of one or the other?

Respectfully,

Michael Gold, Ph.D.

Jazz Impact

612 3777221

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Group Brainstorming in China

The way we learn and our culture influence greatly on how we behave.  

I believe that China (or Japan) hasn't been able to produce any Nobel winner is largely due to this "born connectedness".  Individual thinking - and authentic expression of oneself are often not encouraged.  People strive to achieve the fine balance - not to be too far ahead of the pack, or too far behind.  Most of the energy is therefore spent on "playing the right role", rather than performing the task, or thinking about the challenge.  In a Chinese brainstorming session it is critical to make sure that the members feel safe, respected and trusted, otherwise it is just a complete waste of time - only the most senior person will express him/herself, and everyone else will agree. 

On the other hand though more and more global companies have established their major R&D facilities in China, and have been able to generate great results.  I have spoken with the Head of P&G Research in Beijing just a few days ago.  She told me that "she is interested to understand how Chinese learn".  She commented that when they were given certain framework and guidelines, they would flourish and become so creative - for a while - until they hit another plateau.  It is clearly very different from their Western team members.#more

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Creativity and the doors of perception

I travel regularly between Australia and the UK and I noticed in the past that I had some of my most creative insights on the plane, particularly coming back from the UK (after a range of new experiences and conversations).  I noted this as an interesting phenomenon but did not think any further about it.  Then, last year, I chanced across Aldous Huxley’s “The Doors of Perception” which I read on a flight to the UK.  Essentially, Huxley makes the point that our minds are more open to new ideas when the carbon dioxide level increases and the oxygen level drops.  Chanting has this effect (because we breathe out more that we breathe in) and makes monks, for example, more open to the divine.  Meditating on the top of a mountain has the same effect … and being on a plane (planes have an internal atmosphere equivalent to 8,000 feet above sea level).  Subsequently, I spoke with a friend of mine who has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the biochemistry of the human body and he confirmed that there are two pathways in the brain, one based on oxygen which is direct and the one we use most, and one based on CO2 which is much more diffuse.

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Group Brainstorming = Less Creative?

There are several things that I have found that I believe help with group and release rather than hinder creativity: 

  • Group people together by similar innovation styles. If you do that, you end up with better relationship dynamics within each subgroup, and more diversity between the subgroups
  • Use a quiet brainstorming technique at the start. For example,  have each person right down their ideas on post-its, place on a sheet of paper, then go through a process where each person passes the page in front of them to the left (or right), gets a new sheet, and adds one idea or build. This removed the dynamics, supports "building-on", creates equal participation (leveling the playing field) and enhances the participation of introverts
  • Use improv techniques and tools to train and exercise creative collaboration skills. If you've never seen a group of improvisers brainstorm, you must. The creativity that emerges is far beyond anything that any one individual could release.

--- Alain Rostain

Alain Rostain

+1 646-386-7026

 

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Group Brainstorming = Less Creative?

the "article" gave very little in terms of defining the application. 

I've learned about brainstorming from some pretty erudite exec teams in environments like IBM, McGraw Hill, Kellogg Northwestern. . . 

 Brainstorming is a type of problem solving wherein boundaries are removed for a specific period of time.

I have never been part of a session that was not facilitated or where the purpose of the "brainstorming" wasn't clearly defined.

The team aspect is the whole point! It's a technique used BY a team to address a specific challenge given TO the team.

Brainstorming is part of a much larger problem solving process.

I would call it brainstorming if the conditions in your list below prevailed.

Michael Gold, Ph.D.

Jazz Impact

612 3777221

 

 

 

Group Brainstorming = Less Creative?

The idea that group brainstorming hinders creativity has been around for a while and I have read a few different articles/blogs on this. I think it can also come down to the relationships and the dynamics that occur in the group already. If they are out of sync, they will carry over into any ‘brainstorming session’ and it will be the same people coming up with ideas and plenty of others nervous to contribute as they are worried what others in the group will think. I find the thought ‘what will others think, I may look stupid, I may be wrong’ a huge hindrance to any group activity. One solution may be to send everyone away by themselves with the same question/problem for 15 minutes and come back with ideas. At least there can be some time for free thought outside of any negative team dynamics.  

Or, as Alan indicates, thoroughly prepare for and run a great brainstorming session. I believe the best things happen with the diversity of a team involved if it is done well.

Simon Banks

P: 1300 227 215 M: +61(0)415643182 Skype: Visualfunk

W: www.visualfunk.com.au  www.creativeteambuilding.com.au

 

 

 

Group Brainstorming = Less Creative?

As soon as I see the term GROUP BRAINSTORMING used in a study I immediately question the actual value of the study.

Brainstorming as anyone with training in idea generation knows is a speech technique or tool.

Brainstorming as it is typically used is an overly generic term for people getting together and being asked to generate ideas.
In these supposed BRAINSTORMING sessions
1. there is no true facilitator
2. no warm up
3. no preparation for the problem
4. no true experience
5. no teamwork training
6. little to no commitment of the people to work as a team
7. little to no commitment of the people to the actual problem

Alan R. Black, cre8ting

 

Group Brainstorming = Less Creative?

An article from the Globe and Mail (Canada) titled: Becoming Less Creative:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/facts-and-arguments/becoming-less-creative-medicine-and-primates-fast-food-hurry/article1517740/

Becoming less creative

“When people, groups or organizations are looking for a fresh perspective on a project, they often turn to a brainstorming exercise to get those juices flowing. An upcoming study from Applied Cognitive Psychology suggests that this may not be the best route to take to generate unique and varied ideas,” Science Daily reports. “The researchers from Texas A&M University show that group brainstorming exercises can lead to fixation on only one idea or possibility, blocking out other ideas and possibilities, and leading eventually to a conformity of ideas. Lead researcher Nicholas Kohn explains: ‘Fixation to other people’s ideas can occur unconsciously and lead to you suggesting ideas that mimic your brainstorming partners. Thus, you potentially become less creative.’ ”

Best,
Sylvie Labelle

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Makes you Think - or Act !

Here is some more interesting research on creativity and the brain and I wonder if or how this relates to the earlier discussion on the mind/body connection:

Performance in tests on creative thinking with a group of volunteers correlated with measurements of a lower ‘white matter’ (the fatty myelin sheath that is wrapped round brain cells) integrity in the brain. This reduced integrity is associated with slower connectivity processing between groups of neurons (grey matter). This reduced speed of communication according to Rex Jung of The University of Albuquerque, implies wider, more disparate linkages (ie more extensive associative thinking), hence more novel ideas.

This chimes with the practice in the nurture of creativity of avoiding rushing to resolution with challenges and allowing incubation time to find new insights beyond the immediate ones that immediately follow the setting of a challenge.

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