Chapter 3 Theories of Creativity and the Creative Problem Solving Process Whole brain model Walla’s model of the creative process Divergent and convergent thinking Conditions of creative thinking Theories of creative problem solving Information processing ‘IDEAL’ problem solving process Creative Problem Solving

WHOLE BRAIN MODEL Cerebral System Analytical, mathematical, technical problem solving Imaginative, synthesising, artistic, holistic, conceptual Controlled, conservative, planned, organised, administrative Interpersonal, emotional, musical, spiritual Limbic System

WALLA’S MODEL OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS Preparation (A) Incubation (D) Illumination (C) Verification (B)

DIVERGENT AND CONVERGENT THINKING

CONDITIONS OF CREATIVE THINKING Receptivity Immersion Seeing questions Utilisation of errors Detached devotion

ROUTINE PROBLEM SOLVING Not all problems require the use of a CPS process. In some cases a CPS process would not be as useful as an existing routine or ready-made solution. These kind of solutions generally exist for recurring problems, and when it is possible to use one, it is often much quicker and more practical.

THEORIES OF CREATIVITY - GRACE Creativity is something of a mystery, drawing forth images of wonderful insights, imaginative efforts, illumination and intuitions that come from nowhere. It seems the work of magic. The idea of genius may add force to this notion since creative artists, musicians, etc. seemed to be endowed with superhuman potential. Creativity in this sense is seen as a divine gift.

THEORIES OF CREATIVITY - ACCIDENT This is the opposite of it being a divine gift. It rises by chance. Holders of this view offer various types of accidental discoveries such as those of immunisation arising from an interruption in work, radioactivity from the wrong hypothesis, and the smallpox vaccination from observation.

THEORIES OF CREATIVITY - ASSOCIATION The most popular theory Suggests applying procedures from one area to another Underlies the justification for many divergent thinking techniques such as lateral thinking and brainstorming

THEORIES OF CREATIVITY - COGNITIVE Creativity is a normal human activity It uses cognitive processes like recognition, reasoning and understanding

THEORIES OF CREATIVITY - PERSONALITY Creativity is a state of mind which can be learned Some people seem to have a facility for it while others do not, but they can improve with practice Mental barriers to creativity have to be removed to allow innate spontaneity to flourish Creative acts are not isolated acts of perception, they require an emotional disposition too, for any new idea replaces and in effect destroys the previous order It takes courage and persistence to brave the resistance that any change seems to engender

INFORMATION PROCESSING Long term memory - large capacity Short term memory - small capacity Accessing large volume of long term memory via short term memory bottleneck Creative problem solving aids are used to compensate for the bottleneck Also affected by perceptual filters

Problem Check Index References Yes Find Solution? Cross Reference? No No ‘Stuckness’ Yes CPS Aids Solve

‘IDEAL’ PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS Identify problem or opportunity Define goal(s) Explore possible strategies Anticipate outcomes Look and learn

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING Objective finding - define the problem area Fact finding - gather information Problem finding - define the problem correctly Idea finding - generate solutions to the problem Solution finding - evaluate and choose between possible solutions Acceptance finding - implement the chosen ideas correctly

OBJECTIVE FINDING The objective finding stage essentially involves divergent thinking to generate a list of problems Convergence is then used to identify the most relevant problem areas for further exploration 'Hits' and 'hotspots' are identified by questioning Ownership - is one motivated to solve it? Priority - how important is the problem? Critical nature - how urgent is it to solve this problem?

FACT FINDING Next is the fact-finding stage, where overall comprehension of the problem is increased by collection of relevant information This also helps new ideas to be generated 'Hits' and 'hotspots' can assist convergence The previously identified problem(s) may now be seen from a new perspective

PROBLEM FINDING Problem-finding essentially uses the previous stage 'hits' to identify the most productive problem definition possible.

IDEA FINDING Idea-finding helps to structure the search for potential solutions Mainly divergent activity is used to generate many ideas using a variety of idea-generation aids

SOLUTION FINDING Solution-finding is basically the choice of ideas that can be transformed into workable solutions.

ACCEPTANCE FINDING Acceptance-finding is primarily a divergent activity that helps to implement solutions successfully, such as Listing potential implementation obstacles and ways to overcome them Developing both preventive actions and contingency plans Generating an action plan to implement a solution