Scrutinizing the basis of originality in divergent thinking tests: On the measurement precision of response propensity estimates

Creativity—as any other object of scientific endeavor—requires a sound measurement that adheres to quality criteria. For decades, creativity science has been criticized as falling short in developing valid and reliable measures of creative potential, activity, and achievement. Recent years have witnessed growth of theoretical and empirical works that focused on improving creativity assessment. Here, we apply one of such recently developed approaches based on item response theory to examine ideas’ and person score reliability in a divergent thinking task. A large sample (N = 621) of children and adolescents solved the Circles task from Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking-Figural and two other figural tests measuring creative thinking (Test of Creative Thinking-Drawing Production) and creative imagination (Test of Creative Imagery Abilities). By employing response propensity models, we observed that separate ideas’ reliability tended to fall below recommended thresholds (even liberal ones, e.g., .60) unless the sample size as well as the number of generated ideas (fluency) were large. Importantly, reliability at the idea-level affected reliability at the person-level much less than could be assumed based on recent findings. We propose a systematic perspective on divergent thinking assessment that considers responses as nested in tasks and tasks as nested in tests. Finally, we recommend that adding more tasks to divergent thinking tests might increase reliability at the task-level.

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Variations Across the Menstrual Cycle in EEG Activity During Thinking and Mental Relaxation

Journal of Psychophysiology ◽

10.1027//0269-8803.13.3.163 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 163-172 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

R. Krug ◽

M. Mölle ◽

H.L. Fehm ◽

J. Born

Keyword(s):

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Divergent Thinking ◽

Spectral Power ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Task Demands ◽

Menstrual Phase ◽

Convergent Thinking ◽

Eeg Activity ◽

Dimensional Complexity ◽

Mental Relaxation

Abstract Previous studies have indicated: (1) peak performance on tests of divergent creative thinking during the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle; (2) compared to convergent analytical thinking, divergent thinking was found to be associated with a distinctly increased dimensional complexity of ongoing EEG activity. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that cortical information processing during the ovulatory phase is characterized by an increased EEG dimensionality. Each of 16 women was tested on 3 occasions: during the ovulatory phase, the luteal phase, and menses. Presence of the phases was confirmed by determination of plasma concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone. The EEG was recorded while the women performed: (1) tasks of divergent thinking; (2) tasks of convergent thinking; and (3) during mental relaxation. In addition to EEG dimensional complexity, conventional spectral power analysis was performed. Behavioral data confirmed enhanced creative performance during the ovulatory phase while convergent thinking did not vary across cycle phases. EEG complexity was higher during divergent than convergent thought, but this difference remained unaffected by the menstrual phase. Influences of the menstrual phase on EEG activity were most obvious during mental relaxation. In this condition, women during the ovulatory phase displayed highest EEG dimensionality as compared with the other cycle phases, with this effect being most prominent over the central and parietal cortex. Concurrently, power within the alpha frequency band as well as theta power at frontal and parietal leads were lower during the luteal than ovulatory phase. EEG results indicate that task demands of thinking overrode effects of menstrual cycle. However, with a less demanding situation, an ovulatory increase in EEG dimensionality became prominent suggesting a loosening of associative habits during this phase.

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Using the Rating Scale Model to Examine the Psychometric Properties of the Self-Efficacy Scale for Driver Competence

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759/a000063 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 164-170 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anna Sundström

Keyword(s):

Psychometric Properties ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Measurement Precision ◽

The Self ◽

Test Theory ◽

Self Report ◽

Scale Model ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Two Samples

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of a self-report scale for assessing perceived driver competence, labeled the Self-Efficacy Scale for Driver Competence (SSDC), using item response theory analyses. Two samples of Swedish driving-license examinees (n = 795; n = 714) completed two versions of the SSDC that were parallel in content. Prior work, using classical test theory analyses, has provided support for the validity and reliability of scores from the SSDC. This study investigated the measurement precision, item hierarchy, and differential functioning for males and females of the items in the SSDC as well as how the rating scale functions. The results confirmed the previous findings; that the SSDC demonstrates sound psychometric properties. In addition, the findings showed that measurement precision could be increased by adding items that tap higher self-efficacy levels. Moreover, the rating scale can be improved by reducing the number of categories or by providing each category with a label.

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Measurement Invariance of Divergent Thinking Across Gender, Age, and School Forms

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759.25.1.1 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Jörg-Tobias Kuhn ◽

Heinz Holling

Keyword(s):

Measurement Invariance ◽

Divergent Thinking ◽

Factor Model ◽

Age Groups ◽

Thinking Skills ◽

Specific Model ◽

Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽

Domain Specific ◽

Gender And Age ◽

Confirmatory Factor

The present study explores the factorial structure and the degree of measurement invariance of 12 divergent thinking tests. In a large sample of German students (N = 1328), a three-factor model representing verbal, figural, and numerical divergent thinking was supported. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses revealed that partial strong measurement invariance was tenable across gender and age groups as well as school forms. Latent mean comparisons resulted in significantly higher divergent thinking skills for females and students in schools with higher mean IQ. Older students exhibited higher latent means on the verbal and figural factor, but not on the numerical factor. These results suggest that a domain-specific model of divergent thinking may be assumed, although further research is needed to elucidate the sources that negatively affect measurement invariance.

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Dreamlike and Playful Virtual Environments to Inspire Children’s Divergent Thinking

Journal of Media Psychology Theories Methods and Applications ◽

10.1027/1864-1105/a000279 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Jérôme Guegan ◽

Claire Brechet ◽

Julien Nelson

Keyword(s):

Virtual Environments ◽

Divergent Thinking ◽

Idea Generation ◽

Combined Processes ◽

Office Environment ◽

School Aged Children

Abstract. Computers have long been seen as possible tools to foster creativity in children. In this respect, virtual environments present an interesting potential to support idea generation but also to steer it in relevant directions. A total of 96 school-aged children completed a standard divergent thinking task while being exposed to one of three virtual environments: a replica of the headmistress’s office, a replica of their schoolyard, and a dreamlike environment. Results showed that participants produced more original ideas in the dreamlike and playful environments than in the headmistress’s office environment. Additionally, the contents of the environment influenced the selective exploration of idea categories. We discuss these results in terms of two combined processes: explicit references to sources of inspiration in the environment, and the implicit priming of specific idea categories.

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