The capacity to produce imagery has been regarded as a powerful agent in the healing process and the use of mental imagery as a healing technique is well established. Freud developed the technique of free association and Jung developed several innovative imagery techniques designed to explore the unconscious. Others have used imagery and…

Conditions which call for the discovery of a problem were introduced in a divergent-thinking exercise by inserting blank cards in Pattern Meanings and Line Meanings, two tests from the Wallach and Kogan battery. Twenty-three fifth graders were administered the modified tests and responded divergently to their own patterns and lines as well as to…

The introduction from a soon-to-be published book on the concept of visioneering -- engineering a vision into reality -- is printed here. The article discusses the creative process, its historical and research background, the use of creative problem solving in approaching challenges and making decisions, and the current language of creativity.…

Examines problem-solving in selected software, considering what packages really teach and how useful they are in classrooms. Includes a table listing 21 packages with information in such categories as: suggested ages; solving standard logic puzzles; trial/error or predicting outcomes; breaking tasks into smaller parts; drawing conclusions; and…

This article presents the argument that being explicit about a previously implicit process has a profound sociological effect---it changes that process from an elitist to an egalitarian activity. (Author)

Discusses the facotrs involved in recognizing and encouraging creative ability, and summarizes creativity research to date. (SP)

A six-hour unit in creative problem solving was offered to a class of gifted high school journalism students. Sessions included a pretest and introduction to unit objectives, brainstorming, discussion of a personal problem, consideration of a newswriting problem, analysis of newswriting suggestions, and a posttest. (SW)

A professor's one-time observation of gifted and low-achieving students at one school leads to a startling conclusion. The gifted students were excessively anxious and unable to think creatively in the face of new problems; the low-achievers demonstrated high levels of creative problem-solving. (Author/WD)

Argues that incrementalism's weakness is that it is another rational approach to problem solving when what is needed is a nonrational approach--creativity. Offers guidelines for improving creativity in oneself and in the work environment. (IRT)

The author discusses definitions of creativity through research and analogy and suggests that since some of mankind's most compelling needs underlie the creative process, a denial of those needs results in illness. Physiological and psychological reasons for the therapeutic nature of creative problem solving are considered. (CL)

The concept of creativity was explored in focus groups with 12 nursing students and 2 faculty. Their perceptions centered on the theme of striving for balance, which enabled them to be most creative. Strategies for fostering creativity were related to this theme and three subthemes: enhancing self-esteem, working within structure, and making time…

This paper reviews research showing problem finding to be distinct from problem solving and research supporting the role of problem finding in intrinsically motivated creative performances. The paper concludes that problem finding represents a family of related skills, each of which seems to be influenced by cognitive and extracognitive factors.…

Reviews major areas of controversy concerning creativity's definition in chronological order corresponding to the publication of each definition of significant influence. Each definition's reasons for failing to achieve widespread acceptance are analyzed, and a suggestion for a general definition is provided. (Author/CR)

The need for creative thinking in 21st-century nursing is addressed by Gwynedd-Mercy College's program, which teaches the creative process, problem solving, and critical decision making. Students are challenged to develop innovative health care solutions in individual projects. (SK)

Reports on research attempting to identify the stages, skills, and strategies associated with children's (N=60) problem solving. Reports that conclusions including the creation of a five-stage model of problem solving are relevant not only to children in the 5-14 age group but to pupils undertaking a specific science course from year 10 onward.…