Define the creative processes of fluency, flexibility, and originality; distinguish between convergent and divergent thinking; identify three ways that creativity can be measured; explain why creativity involves more than just having original answers; describe the five stages of creative problem-solving, and discuss five of the typical characteristics of creative persons, including how these

Question

characteristics differ from the stereotype of creative people.

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer will include that fluency is defined as your total number of suggestions. Flexibility is the number of times you shift from one class of possible uses to another. Originality refers to how novel or unusual your ideas are. By counting the number of times you showed fluency, flexibility, and originality, we could rate your creativity, or capacity for divergent thinking. In routine problem solving or thinking, there is one correct answer, and the problem is to find it. This leads to convergent thinking (lines of thought converge on the answer). Divergent thinking is the reverse, in which many possibilities are developed from one starting point. Divergent thinking can be measured in several ways. In the Unusual Uses Test, you would be asked to think of as many uses as possible for some object, such as a paper clip. In the Consequences Test, you would list the consequences that would follow a basic change in the world. For example, you might be asked, "What would happen if everyone suddenly lost their sense of balance and could no longer stay upright?" If you were to take the Anagrams Test, you would be given a word such as creativity and asked to make as many new words as possible by rearranging the letters. Each of these tests can be scored for fluency, flexibility, and originality. Divergent thinking is an important part of creativity, but there is more to it. To be creative, the solution to a problem must be more than novel, unusual, or original. It must also be high quality and relevant to solving the original problem. This is the dividing line between a "harebrained scheme" and a "stroke of genius.". In other words, the creative person brings reasoning and critical thinking to bear on new ideas once they are produced. Typically, five stages occur during creative problem solving. In the first stage of orientation, the person defines the problem and identifies its most important dimensions. The second stage called preparation consists of the creative thinkers saturating themselves with as much information about the problem as possible. Most major problems produce a period during which all attempted solutions will be futile. At this point, problem solving may proceed on a subconscious level called incubation. Although the problem seems to have been set aside, it is still "cooking" in the background. The stage of incubation is often ended by a rapid insight or series of insights called the stage of illumination. This stage produces the "Aha!" experience, often depicted in cartoons as a light bulb appearing over the thinker's head. The final step of verification involves testing and critically evaluating the solution obtained during the stage of illumination. If the solution proves faulty, the thinker reverts to the stage of incubation. According to the popular stereotype, highly creative people are eccentric, introverted, neurotic, socially inept, unbalanced in their interests, and on the edge of madness. Although some artists and musicians cultivate this public image, there is little truth in it. Direct studies of creative individuals paint a very different picture. Although people with high IQs can be quite creative, there is generally little correlation between creativity tests and IQ test scores. Creative people usually have a greater-than-average range of knowledge and interests, and they are more fluent in combining ideas from various sources. They are also good at using mental images and metaphors in thinking. Creative people are open to a wide variety of experiences. They accept irrational thoughts and are uninhibited about their feelings and fantasies. They tend to use broad categories, to question assumptions, to break mental sets, and they find order in chaos. They also experience more unusual states of consciousness, such as vivid dreams and mystical experiences. Creative people enjoy symbolic thought, ideas, concepts, and possibilities. They tend to be interested in truth, form, and beauty, rather than in fame or success. Their creative work is an end in itself. Creative people value their independence and prefer complexity. However, they are unconventional and nonconforming primarily in their work; otherwise, they do not have bizarre personalities.