Table of contents : Preface Introduction Use of this book The way the mind works Difference between lateral and vertical thinking Attitudes towards lateral thinking Basic nature of lateral thinking The use of lateral thinking Techniques The generation of alternatives Challenging assumptions Innovation Suspended judgement Design Dominant ideas and crucial factors Fractionation The reversal method Brainstorming Analogies Choice of entry point and attention area Random stimulation Concepts/ di visions/ polariza tion The new word po Blocked by openness Description/problem solving/design Summary