Thinking About Applications: Effects on Mental Models and Creative Problem-Solving

Many techniques have been used to train creative problem-solving skills. Although the available techniques have often proven to be effective, creative training often discounts the value of thinking about applications. In this study, 248 undergraduates were asked to develop advertising campaigns for...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Creativity research journal 2013-04, Vol.25 (2), p.199-212
Main Authors: Barrett, Jamie D., Peterson, David R., Hester, Kimberly S., Robledo, Issac C., Day, Eric A., Hougen, Dean P., Mumford, Michael D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Advertising campaigns
Cognitive Measurement
Cognitive psychology
Creative Teaching
Creative Thinking
Creativity
Employee Aptitude Survey
Expertise
Higher Education
Intervention
Problem Solving
Psychology
Skill development
Studies
Undergraduate Students
United States (Southwest)
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Summary:Many techniques have been used to train creative problem-solving skills. Although the available techniques have often proven to be effective, creative training often discounts the value of thinking about applications. In this study, 248 undergraduates were asked to develop advertising campaigns for a new high-energy soft drink. Solutions to this problem were evaluated for quality, originality, and elegance. Prior to preparing these advertising campaigns, participants were provided with training in strategies for thinking about the potential applications of creative problem-solutions. It was found that training people to think about the uses of ideas and preparation for idea implementation contributed to the acquisition of stronger mental models and production of advertising campaigns evidencing greater quality, originality, and elegance. The implications of these findings for creative though and creative education are discussed.
ISSN:1040-0419
1532-6934
DOI:10.1080/10400419.2013.783758