lateral thinking

Idea generation and problem solving technique in which new concepts are created by looking at things in novel ways. Whereas the logical ('vertical') thinking carries a chosen idea forward, the sideways ('lateral') thinking provokes fresh ideas or changes the frame of reference. And, while vertical thinking tries to overcome problems by meeting them head-on, lateral thinking tries to bypass them through a radically different approach. The term was coined by the Maltese-born UK psychologist Dr. Edward de Bono in his 1970 book 'Lateral Thinking.' See also heuristics. (来源：EnglishCN.com)

横线思维是一种提出想法和解决问题的技巧，通过新的方式看待事物并创造新的概念。而逻辑（“纵向”）思维是对特定的想法进行深入思考，横向思维激发新的想法或者改变你的参照标准。纵向思维试图集中问题并解决问题，横向思维试图以一种发散性的方式来绕过问题。这个词是由马耳他出生的英国心理学博士爱德华·德·波诺（Edward de Bono）在他1970出版的《横向思维》一书中首次提到的。另外也可以参考启发式教学法的相关介绍。