<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Divergent thinking (DT) tests are probably the most commonly used measures of creative potential. Several extensive batteries are available but most research relies on one or two specific tests rather than a complete battery. This may limit generalizations because tests of DT are not equivalent. They are not always highly inter-correlated. Additionally, some DT tests appear to be better than others at eliciting originality. This is critical because originality is vital for creativity. The primary purpose of the present study was to determine which test of DT elicits the most originality. Seven measures of DTwere administered on a sample of 611 participants in eight Arabic countries. The tests were Figural, Titles, Realistic Presented Problems, Realistic Problem Generation, Instances, Uses, and Similarities. The <italic>Quick Test of Convergent Thinking, Runco’s Ideational Behavior Scale</italic>, and a demographic questionnaire were also administered. A linear mixed model analysis confirmed that the originality scores in the DT tests differed by test. Post-hoc tests indicated that the <italic>Titles</italic> and <italic>Realistic Problem Generation</italic> tests produced the highest mean originality scores, whereas the <italic>Realistic Presented Problems</italic> test produced the lowest mean originality scores. These differences confirm that research using only one DT test will not provide generalizable results.</p></abstract>

Divergent thinking (DT) tests are probably the most commonly used measures of creative potential. Several extensive batteries are available but most research relies on one or two specific tests rather than a complete battery. This may limit generalizations because tests of DT are not equivalent. They are not always highly inter-correlated. Additionally, some DT tests appear to be better than others at eliciting originality. This is critical because originality is vital for creativity. The primary purpose of the present study was to determine which test of DT elicits the most originality. Seven measures of DTwere administered on a sample of 611 participants in eight Arabic countries. The tests were Figural, Titles, Realistic Presented Problems, Realistic Problem Generation, Instances, Uses, and Similarities. The Quick Test of Convergent Thinking, Runco’s Ideational Behavior Scale, and a demographic questionnaire were also administered. A linear mixed model analysis confirmed that the originality scores in the DT tests differed by test. Post-hoc tests indicated that the Titles and Realistic Problem Generation tests produced the highest mean originality scores, whereas the Realistic Presented Problems test produced the lowest mean originality scores. These differences confirm that research using only one DT test will not provide generalizable results.

Which Test of Divergent Thinking Is Best?

Arabian Gulf University, Kingdom of Bahrain

Creativity. Theories – Research - Applications

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Which Test of Divergent Thinking Is Best?"}

Divergent thinking (DT) tests are probably the most commonly used measures of creative potential. Several extensive batteries are available but most research...

Which Test of Divergent Thinking Is Best?

Published Online: Jun 08, 2016

Page range: 4 - 18

Received: Nov 22, 2015

Accepted: Feb 18, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ctra-2016-0001

Keywords
Creativity, Divergent Thinking, Originality, Creativity Testing, Uses test, Problem Finding, Creative Potential, Runco Ideational Behavior Scale, Quick Estimate of Convergent Thinking, Standard Definition of Creativity

© 2016 Mark A. Runco et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Which Test of Divergent Thinking Is Best?

Published Online: Jun 08, 2016

Page range: 4 - 18

Received: Nov 22, 2015

Accepted: Feb 18, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ctra-2016-0001

KeywordsCreativity, Divergent Thinking, Originality, Creativity Testing, Uses test, Problem Finding, Creative Potential, Runco Ideational Behavior Scale, Quick Estimate of Convergent Thinking, Standard Definition of Creativity

© 2016 Mark A. Runco et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Creativity, Divergent Thinking, Originality, Creativity Testing, Uses test, Problem Finding, Creative Potential, Runco Ideational Behavior Scale, Quick Estimate of Convergent Thinking, Standard Definition of Creativity