Psychology Labs
Thinking Processes and Creativity
TERMINOLOGY
1. Creativity
2. Divergent & Convergent Thinking
3. Examples of Creativity Tests (both Divergent and Convergent)
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Decision Making Strategies
Maximizing is where one tries to make the very best choice even if it involves a lengthy search. Satisficing is
where you choose a reasonably good (not perfect) option sooner rather than later.
Creativity. The combination of uniqueness and usefulness. It is fundamentally a process of discovery.
Creative Thinking Processes
A key feature of creativity is divergent thinking, a mental approach that takes many paths to finding a
solution. Which contrasts with convergent thinking, which is used to solve straightforward problems with a
single best answer.
Amount of Latent Inhibition – the ability to block out unnecessary information – is important.
Studies suggest that reduced latent inhibition may enhance creativity. Allowing a little more random
information into the mind seems to help people think in divergent, creative ways. For example, one study
found that students with low latent inhibition scored higher on the remote associates task (Ansburg & Hill,
2003). Another study found that low latent inhibition was associated with having more lifetime creative
accomplishments in a group of high-achieving students. However, having higher latent inhibition is beneficial
for not being distracting when trying to come up with solution to a problem.
Examples of Creativity Tests
Divergent: Alternative Uses Test
Designed by J.P. Guilford in 1967, the Alternative Uses Test asks you to think of as many uses as possible for a
simple object, like a brick or a shoe or a paperclip.
Divergent: Incomplete Figure Task
The Incomplete Figure Test is part of the larger Torrance Test of Creative Thinking, which was developed by
Ellis Paul Torrance in 1966. You draw to complete a picture and name it within 3 minutes.
Convergent: Riddles (Lateral Thinking Puzzles). De Bono also links lateral thinking with humour, arguing it
entails a switch-over from a familiar pattern to a new, unexpected one. It is this moment of surprise,
generating laughter and new insight, which facilitates the ability to see a different thought pattern which
initially was not obvious.
Convergent: Remote Associates (RAT)
Test of creative potential developed by Martha Mednick in 1962. Considered a valid measure of creativity.
Each RAT question presents three cue words that are linked by a fourth word, which is the correct answer. A
typical person can solve most of the items marked as "Easy", about half of the "Medium" ones, and few of the
hard ones.
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EXPERIMENTAL QUESTION:
What is the effect of X on Y while controlling for Z(s)? or more specifically today...
What is the effect of Feedback and Difficulty of Question on your ability to correctly come up with a
Connecting Word controlling for number of items, random error and practice effects?
We have 2 IVs (X) Feedback and Difficulty of task
We have 2 DVs (Y) Speed (reaction time in seconds) and Accuracy (how many you get correct)
We have 2 CVs (Z) - Same number of trials, multiple trials averaged, and random order viewing
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Hypothesis
It will be easier to answer easier questions. The more creative you are, the more difficult questions you’ll be
able to answer. Feedback will help you learn more than just practice alone
PROCEDURES
From Deckchair, Download the Creativity Worksheet.
1. The Instructor will assign what order (A first then B, or B first then A) based on last name.
2. For each set, when you get to the Results Page, copy and paste the Topic Summary from the top of the
DeckChair Results page into your Excel file and save it as an excel xlsx workbook (with your student
number).
3. Reorganize the data into the table using only the columns called “AccuracyScore%”, and “Skill Time”.
Graph as a “column” graph.
4. Save again as "Creativity-1009123456.xlsx" (with your student number) and hand it in to Quercus.
