Description, Research and Theory behind de Bono's
'Six Thinking Hats'
In the early 1980's, Edward de Bono took the saying ‘Putting on your thinking cap’ and suggested that the decision to think can be extended to a decision to think in a particular style. He came up with the 'Six Thinking Hats' which outlines six different ways of thinking. de Bono developed this technique to help people work constructively together as they encourage lateral thinking. The lateral thinking covers a wider range of thinking perspectives.
(http://www.jwelford.demon.co.uk/brainwaremap/debono.html, 2012)
Each 'Thinking Hat' that de Bono has come up with encourages us to approach a problem with a different style of thinking - thinking about thinking, information, emotions, benefits, judgements, and creativity.
Each of the hats described below is differentiated by a colour, which represents a different way of approaching the problem or issue at hand.
The thinker/ thinkers can interchange between the hats to indicate the type of thinking being used. The process behind when a thinker "puts on" or "takes off" a hat allows the thinker to approach a problem from different points of view.
The key is knowing more about and having a broader view of each thinking situation after applying any of the de Bono Thinking tools than you had before you started. Through using de Bono's 'Thinking Hats' you should be more complete and thorough in your thinking.
Why use de Bono Thinking Tools?
(http://www.jwelford.demon.co.uk/brainwaremap/debono.html, 2012)
Each 'Thinking Hat' that de Bono has come up with encourages us to approach a problem with a different style of thinking - thinking about thinking, information, emotions, benefits, judgements, and creativity.
Each of the hats described below is differentiated by a colour, which represents a different way of approaching the problem or issue at hand.
The thinker/ thinkers can interchange between the hats to indicate the type of thinking being used. The process behind when a thinker "puts on" or "takes off" a hat allows the thinker to approach a problem from different points of view.
The key is knowing more about and having a broader view of each thinking situation after applying any of the de Bono Thinking tools than you had before you started. Through using de Bono's 'Thinking Hats' you should be more complete and thorough in your thinking.
Why use de Bono Thinking Tools?
- Critical thinking
- Full-spectrum thinking
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Creativity and Innovation
Key Features of the Six Hats
Blue Hat - The Thinking Hat:
This hat allows the thinker to "think about thinking". The Blue hat directs the thinking process. It indicates the direction of the thinking - which hat to use when, and it is able to shse the questions that are involved. This thinker can ask questions such as:
White Hat - The Information Hat:
This hat focuses on the data/information available. The thinker gathers and assesses the data and information in a non-judgmental way (no emotions involved) The thinker can ask questions such as:
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Red Hat - The Emotions Hat:
When wearing the red hat, you are encouraged to look at the problem using your emotions and intuition. You may also look at how other people may react emotionally to the problem. This thinker can ask questions such as:
Green Hat - The Creativity Hat:
The Green hat allows the thinker to come up with new concepts (the more creative the better!) The creative hat allows alternative ideas and thinking to occur. The creative thinker may ask:
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Black Hat - The Judgement Hat:
To use the Black thinking hat, you need to consider the risks, dangers, obstacles, potential problems, and the downside of an idea. The Black hat focuses on putting the caution points on the thinkers radar. You need to critically assess the weaknesses and limitations of an idea and also the reasons why. The Black hat thinker may ask questions such as:
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All the information for the hats is from De Bono, E. (1999)