CONUNDRUM 2 - DIVERGENT THINKING - PART 1

Creativity tests are typically divided into four main components: Divergent thinking, Convergent thinking, Artistic assessments and Self assessments. In this post, we will consider Divergent thinking.

Divergent thinking refers to a way of solving problems wherein a variety of possible solutions are proposed, in an effort, to find one that works. These solutions must be original, fluent, flexible, elaborative. There are many tests covered under this component.

Guilford's Alternative Uses Task (1967)

In Guilford’s Alternative Uses Task (1967), we are asked to list down myriad uses for a common item. Many could list up to 10-15 things and people who are really good at it can list even 100 uses.

Anyone can administer Guilford’s Alternative Uses Task (1967). No training required. Materials can be created by the examiner and individually administered to the examinees. It represents an expected factor of "flexibility of thinking" in an investigation of creative thinking.

  

There was a test conducted, which measured “Genius people” (who score above the specified percentage), in kinder garden. Stupendous students who crossed this test to reach “Genius” title was 98% of total students in the kinder garden. When same students were retested 5 years later (8-10 years age students), the 15% of students to earn this title were merely 8-10% and after another 5 (13-15 years age students) years it was 10%.

This study infers that we all have divergent thinking ability and mostly it deteriorates as we grow up. What can be done then? We must think differently about the human capacity. We must improvise our definition of education and come over the conceptions like theoretical, academic, extra-curricular and many more as most of the great learning happens in groups and by collaboration.

It is also a commonly asked interview question these days. Let us consider some example. Try to list as many as possible uses of BRICK.

1.  A paperweight
2. A doorstop
3. To throw through a window
4. To use as a weapon
5. To hit my sister on the head with
6. Sanitary uses
7. To use as ‘chula’
8. To elate the water tank
9. To write on a wall
10. Flowerpot
11. Landscaping
12. Mailbox
13. Smokehouses
14. Ballast
15. To hold the sheets of cloth or plastic

Scoring is comprised of four components (Score out of 2 points for each component):

1. Originality - Each response is compared to the total amount of responses from all the people you gave the test to. More the unique responses (greater must be points awarded), more is creativity.
2. Fluency – It is nothing but total number of uses written. More the number of uses (greater are the points), more creativity.
3. Flexibility – It is also called ‘different categories’. In this case, there are many different categories (weapon and hit sister are from the same general idea of weapon). So points awarded accordingly.
4. Elaboration - Amount of detail (for Example "a doorstop" = 0 points whereas "a door stop to prevent a door slamming shut in a strong wind" = 2 (one for explanation of door slamming, two for further detail about the wind).

 You can also try it with others and then match your responses. Try out this – Safety Pin, Newspaper, Eyeglass case, Rubber band, soap, keychain, straw, needle, hair clip, etc.

Following are some of the uses of these things:

 

  

 

 



 

Hope you are enjoying solving conundrums.

Thank you for your time.