A study investigated whether it would be possible to increase creative output of 43 eight-graders by teaching a portion of the Future Problem Solving (FPS) process, the identification of problems, as part of a middle school curriculum. Results indicated that fluency and flexibility could be taught utilizing the FPS process. (Author/CR)

Two studies involving 60 graduate and undergraduate students explored the role of structured imagination in story creation. Results indicate representational knowledge was an important influence on story meaning and originality and that meaningful and original stories were more likely to contain abstract concepts than were nonmeaningful and…

This essay discusses how Maude Adams influenced James M. Barrie's creative process and became his inspiration. Set change theory is underscored as a cognitive explanation for Barrie's illumination. The psychoanalytic theory of transference is proposed as an underlying mechanism for facilitating the change of mental set during the incubation stage.…

Responding to a definition of creativity, 449 Chinese language teachers identified imagination foremost, followed by inspiration and original ideas as a component of effective writing. Teachers identified developing student confidence and providing an open atmosphere as essential means of fostering creativity. The majority of teachers, however,…

This article presents a model of creative thinking as a metacognitive process. Creativity technologies are reframed as metacognitive strategies; and creativity itself is viewed as a self-regulatory process of metacognitive knowledge, combining self-reinforcement, self-evaluation, and self-monitoring. Self-regulated creative thought is…

This study examined gender differences in creativity among 149 Sudanese males and 151 Sudanese females, ages 15-20. Males and females performed significantly better on different tests, but no significant interaction between gender and education was found. Differences in opportunities for independent and creative thought granted to Sudanese males…

This article describes a process for increasing the quality of students' thinking through alternating from a quiet intuitive state to rational logical processing. The article provides specific teaching suggestions using guided imagery for students in grades K-2, grades 3-4, and grades 5 through college. (DB)

Six practicing artists were interviewed about how they overcome creative blocks. Their responses indicated that feelings of self-doubt, fear, and depression accompany blocks but that relaxing and working on new directions and playing ideas off a supportive person helped to overcome such blocks. (DB)

This article discusses the outcomes of a conference on creativity that drew approximately 75 participants from various Arab universities. Papers focused on models of creativity development, factors related to strengthening and measuring creative abilities, family educational and social institutions roles, and fostering creative development in…

Forty New Zealand children (ages 3-4) were given false-belief and creativity tasks to investigate whether those with a Theory of Mind outlook are better at searching their own minds for creative answers. The numbers of appropriate and original responses in the creativity test correlated positively with performance on false-belief tasks. (Author/CR)

Bibliographic information on 98 recent books on creativity and problem solving is presented, arranged alphabetically by author. Each listing notes the major topics addressed. Topics include creative ability in business, organizational change, gifted students, technological innovations, psychological aspects of creativity, and social aspects of…

A study examined the relationships among 109 children's creative performances in three domains and the relationships between those children's general creative thinking skills and their creative performances. Three case studies also examined domain-specificity of creativity. Results found considerable intra-individual variation in creativity…

This research attempted to identify categories of cognitive development existing in creative writing samples (written by over 5000 gifted children ages 9-18) that provide a basis for developmental analysis. Four categories with three levels of development in each were identified: (1) self, (2) others, (3) problem solving, and (4) abstractness of…

This essay describes the use of I Ching hexagrams as a focus to improve the ability of college student groups to evolve creative solutions and improve decision-making skills. The philosophy of I Ching is briefly explained, and examples are given of hexagram interpretations which are applicable to group discussion and problem solving. (DB)

An elementary music education program designed to encourage creativity and cooperative learning was evaluated over a year with 42 experimental and 61 control fourth-grade students. Results indicated that the elementary music teachers involved were able to adapt cooperative-learning models which influenced students' creativity and attitudes toward…