Synectics: characteristics and techniques

When a person is confronted by a problem that must be solved, part of the mental processes aimed at said resolution are unconscious; Synectics studies them and makes them an applicable problem-solving methodology.

The brain, on many occasions, adopts the metaphor of the iceberg: what it reveals constitutes a small proportion of its total extension. Thus, when this body is confronted by a problem that must be resolved, an important part of the operant mental processes aimed at such resolution may be unconscious. And from here synectics arises.

This discipline, whose name derives from the Anglo-Saxon word synectics, It constitutes a methodology for solving problems. One of its objectives is to take advantage of the characteristics of this type of processing, to generate a problem solving method based on experience, which is also applicable and effective.

The final problem-solving strategy that ends up being applied comes, to a large extent, from computations about which we do not have the slightest awareness and that have always escaped the focus of our attention.

From a historical perspective, the method of synectics originates in the works of Arthur D. Little, during the beginning of the second half of the 20th century. Based on these investigations, Scientists George M. Prince and William JJ Gordon formalized this technique with all its characteristics and strategic components.

The first etymology of the term corresponds to the Greek word that designates the concept of ‘the union and conjunction of elements apparently different and irrelevant to each other’.

Today, and after having gained an important place in organizational and work environments, this term is a widespread synonym of solving problems from a group point of view and through the use of creativity as a nuclear strategy. In this way, it lives up to the meaning of its name, since through synectics creative solutions are obtained that cannot be explained by the mere sum of its components.

Characteristics and techniques of synectics

Synectics, conceived as a theory, involves the integrated action of several people who, from a group configuration, approach the formulation and solution of various problems. As mentioned, it relies heavily on human creativity and makes conscious use of preconscious mental mechanisms; Therein lies its true operation.

The purpose of the implementation of this technique is to increase in the probability of successfully solving problems. Now, this probability varies depending on how generateable the innovation that is achieved is, at the level of action approaches and based on the synergistic activity of the group members.

If the agreed solution has a very limited field of application, the benefits of the creative novelty that defines the essence of the joint solution to the problem are diminished. Therefore, the solutions sought must be as novel as they are applicable.

Synectics is based on the following premises:

The same psychic processes mediate the phenomenon of inventing solutions in any discipline.whether more artistic or more scientific. The innovative process is a creation process susceptible to be defined and described specifically and be trainable and understandable.Both the person and the group of people undertake the creative process in a very similar way, although the hypotheses resulting from the first complement those of the second.

“I do what you can’t, and you do what I can’t. “Together we can do great things.”

-Mother Teresa of Calcutta-

Synectics aims to leave aside what is known and make way for what is strange to us. To achieve this, this technique strives to lead us to creative and innovative solutions that are as far away as possible from the usual.

Synectics confronts the individual with the mental processes that underlie rational thought, putting him in contact with the mental contents that are hidden under consciousness.

To put these mechanisms into play, there are at least five phases or techniques, centered on what is known as ‘analogy’. These are directed to contemplate the multiple facets of the same issue to avoid the most expected solutions and common:

direct analogy: Through direct comparison between problems, the aim is to extract the problem of interest from its context and place it in other circumstances, to contemplate it in a broader and freer way.personal analogy: individuals consider the problem in the first person to identify with it. Thus, you come to empathize with the problem to be solved and identify the emotions involved in the matter.Contrary analogy: The objective is to get away from the problem by finding concepts contrary to it. In this way, it is possible to delimit the problem in question and adopt new perspectives on it.symbolic analogy: the problems are specified in this phase in a reduced set of words of poetic essence, arriving at defining key words that in themselves may be capable of initiating lines of debate not previously raised.fantastic analogy: a situation similar to the problem is presented, but from a fantasy perspective; in a somewhat separate way from concrete and logical thinking, to give a new direction to our ways of thinking.

In short, the serial application of these techniques can lead to lines of thought far from the known that bring us closer to the unusual. In this way, it is possible to obtain innovative and effective solutions, far beyond what a simple ‘brainstorm’ would allow us to achieve.