When a young scientist went hiking in the Swiss Alps, he found that the thorny burrs on some plants stuck to his pants and shirt. Rather than dismissing this trivial annoyance, the scientist took the burrs to his lab and analyzed their properties. His work eventually led to the invention of Velcro. This illustrates one aspect of creativity called:
A) algorithmic thinking.
B) problem finding.
C) trial-and-error approaches.
D) heuristic thinking.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The scenario described in the question is an example of problem finding, which involves recognizing opportunities for solving problems in unexpected situations or by looking at them in a different way. The scientist in the story saw the potential of the burrs and used his analytical skills to turn it into a solution for a problem he encountered in his daily life. This is a key element of creative thinking. The other options (algorithmic thinking, trial-and-error approaches, heuristic thinking) are not relevant to this particular example.

When a Young Scientist Went Hiking in the Swiss Alps