What is the most popular creative thinking technique introduced in the 1930s?

The most popular creative thinking technique introduced in the 1930s is brainstorming. This method was developed by Alex Osborn in 1939 as a way to encourage group creativity and idea generation. Brainstorming is characterized by the free flow of ideas, allowing participants to think freely without immediate criticism or constraints. This technique focuses on quantity over quality, encouraging as many ideas as possible in a collaborative environment, which can later be refined and evaluated.

In contrast, mind mapping is a visual representation of thoughts and ideas that became more popular in later decades. Problem solving is a broader concept that encompasses various methods and techniques used to address challenges and does not specifically refer to a single technique introduced in the 1930s. Critical thinking also emerged as a concept during that time but, like problem-solving, refers to a more generalized approach to reasoning rather than a creative technique specifically designed for idea generation. Therefore, brainstorming stands out as the most notable method within this context.