Reviews the perspective of Donald Campbell on creative thought and argues that the role of blind variation and selective retention in Darwinian evaluation and human invention is different. Proposes that a contrast can be drawn between "smart" and "not so smart" blind variation. (CR)

Argues that while blind variation and selective retention (BVSR) may not be involved in all forms of human behavior and thought, Donald Campbell has made a compelling case that human creativity and invention involve BVSR. The complementary nature of prior and current BVSR in creative human endeavor is discussed. (Author/CR)

Presents a model of the relationship between the presented problem parameters of art assignments and the creative processes of students. Parameter types of instructions include incomplete, overly and inadequately restrictive, and expanding/contracting parameters. Parameters of student responses are categorized as disregarded, self-imposed, and…

Reports the results of a study of active ingredients of creativity techniques, devices that promote idea generation, through an analysis of 172 idea-generation methods which identified three types of idea-generation devices--strategies, tactics, and enablers. These devices were organized into meaningful categories comprising a formulary of active…

Four studies were conducted to assess gender differences in the effects of extrinsic motivation on creativity. Results indicate expectations of evaluation and work for reward lowered the creativity of middle school girls, but not that of boys. Expecting ungraded feedback reduced the negative impact of expecting evaluation and the gender…

In a 1997 study, 245 safety professionals and educators identified and prioritized management competencies that are important for safety professionals. Results show that the most important competencies are communication, listening, motivating others, creative thinking, and flexibility. (JOW)

This psychological phenomenological research analyzed cognition of 7 adult inventors and proposes a theory of original, creative thinking. Spatial intelligence is reviewed. Results provide 7 findings, including cognitive, motivational, affective, and psychokinesthetic factors. Spatial-temporal intelligence is theorized as an abstract model of…

Cross-cultural differences in creative thinking were assessed for 51 American and 54 Japanese college students. The American students showed significantly higher scores on the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) figural test than the Japanese students. No gender differences were found in either culture. TTCT performance did not correlate…

This study examined the creative problem solving of 100 young children (prekindergarten to grade 2) in response to both realistic and fanciful story problems. Solutions were evaluated for fluency, elaboration, flexibility, originality, effectiveness, and realism. Although children's performance improved with age and experience, their solutions…

Explains 20 strategies that address the diverse gifts and needs students bring to the classroom and the ways teachers can help children to cultivate and celebrate their talents. These strategies emphasize creative thinking, communication, understanding, problem solving, community awareness, laughter, and joy. (MOK)

Argues that psychology has underinvestigated the study of creativity, provides six reasons for this neglect, and describes recent work on creativity that is leading to wider interest in the topic. Confluence theories, representing various multidisciplinary approaches to creativity, are proposed as offering a more promising approach to the study of…

This article argues that creativity tests are best thought of as measures of creative potential because creative achievement depends on additional factors not measured by creativity tests, such as technical skill, field knowledge, mental health, and opportunity. The need for assessment to be based on several tests is emphasized. (Contains…

A study involving 47 Chinese managers investigated whether those who were creative in imagery were better at interpreting ambiguous figures. Results found managers who were creative in imagery were more capable in interpreting ambiguous figures and were quicker in their discoveries than managers less creative in imagery. (Contains references.)…

This article discusses strategies for differentiating the curriculum for gifted students by using a creative approach to language teaching. It provides suggestions for co-operative and creative classroom language activities, including making a syllable pie, starting a dictionary of sub-cult words, cryptic crosswords, poetry, and tracing language…

This study explored classroom provisions to enhance creative thinking in one Australian elementary school. The study and a literature review suggest that creative thinking is not being promoted in most schools. Although teachers' attitudes are slowly developing in favor of creative thinking, creatively talented children are still at risk of not…