parallel thinking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "parallel thinking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a method of thinking where individuals consider multiple perspectives or ideas simultaneously, often in a collaborative context. Example: "In our brainstorming session, we encouraged parallel thinking to generate a wider range of innovative solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"It is probably parallel thinking.

Independent

When he introduced Saleforce.com within the company in December, Green initially ran the old customer management system in parallel, thinking longtime employees might cling to the old green-screen user interface.

Forbes

Grover and Pea (2013) have identified examples of representational practices as abstractions and pattern generalizations (that include modeling and simulation activities); symbol systems and representations; algorithmic notions of flow of control; structured problem decomposition (modularizing); conditional logic; and iterative, recursive, and parallel thinking.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

And while she denied she ever stole jokes — parallel thinking is far more common than you might think — she conceded that if she had seen those YouTube videos, she would have thought she was a thief, too.

The New York Times - Arts

"He didn't dabble, he plunged," said W. Daniel Hillis, a computer scientist and founder of the Thinking Machines Corporation, an early maker of massively parallel thinking machines.

The New York Times - Science

The parallel performance of the Newton method is also found to be very good on multiple processors of the Cray C-90 and on the massively parallel thinking machine CM-5, where very fast execution rates (up to 9 Gflops) are found for large problems.

Journal of Computational Physics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

In 1985 he founded one of the first companies focused on massively parallel computing, Thinking Machines.

The New York Times - Tech

Their acts, too, were tied to protests against the logic of the war, and may offer a useful parallel when thinking about Snowden's legal situation.

The New Yorker

Of all the earlier efforts to produce a massively parallel computer, Thinking Machines comes closest to being the forerunner of Inktomi.

Forbes

On poverty, social exclusion, and sustainable livelihoods, the evolution of thinking is tracked, and the parallels with thinking about food security are identified.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Our guys think story first and in parallel we're thinking about what cool moments we're going to use in that story.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When facilitating group discussions, actively encourage "parallel thinking" by having participants explore different perspectives simultaneously rather than sequentially, fostering a richer exchange of ideas.

Common error

Avoid prioritizing harmony and consensus over critical evaluation. "Parallel thinking" aims to explore diverse perspectives, while groupthink suppresses dissenting opinions for the sake of agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "parallel thinking" functions as a noun phrase often used attributively. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a grammatically correct expression. Examples show it describing a method or style of thought.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "parallel thinking" is a grammatically correct and conceptually rich phrase used to describe a cognitive approach where multiple perspectives or ideas are considered simultaneously. Ludwig provides several examples highlighting its usage in various contexts, including problem-solving, collaborative design, and understanding shared ideas. The phrase is considered uncommon but valid, with Ludwig AI confirming its grammatical soundness. It appears frequently in scientific, news, and formal business contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. To effectively use "parallel thinking", encourage diverse perspectives and avoid confusing it with groupthink.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simultaneous consideration

Emphasizes the act of considering multiple ideas at the same time.

collaborative brainstorming

Highlights the cooperative aspect of generating ideas together.

convergent thought processes

Focuses on different thought processes that are coming together

collective ideation

Stresses the group aspect of forming ideas.

synchronized reasoning

Emphasizes the coordinated aspect of logical thought.

group problem-solving

Focuses on the element of solving a problem with multiple actors.

shared cognition

Highlights the common knowledge and understanding among individuals.

harmonized perspectives

Emphasizes alignment and agreement in viewpoints.

unified thought

Focuses on thoughts merging into one single train of thought.

interconnected ideas

Highlights the relationship between different concepts.

FAQs

How can I encourage "parallel thinking" in a team setting?

Encourage team members to explore different aspects of a problem simultaneously, rather than sequentially. Techniques like the Six Thinking Hats method can be helpful.

What's the difference between "parallel thinking" and brainstorming?

"Parallel thinking" focuses on exploring different perspectives concurrently, while brainstorming often involves generating a large quantity of ideas without immediate critical evaluation. They are related but not interchangeable.

Are there specific techniques to facilitate "parallel thinking"?

Yes, the Six Thinking Hats technique is a structured method designed to promote /s/structured+thinking by assigning different 'hats' representing different modes of thought (e.g., emotional, logical) to participants.

When is "parallel thinking" most useful?

It is particularly valuable when addressing complex problems, fostering innovation, or resolving conflicts by ensuring all facets of an issue are considered.