Problem solving flexibility (PSF), an ability commonly assessed in creativity batteries, was studied in a sample of middle class children (grades 1 through 3, average IQ 114), tested on questions resembling Guilford's consequences procedure. An hypothesis linking PSF with alertness to and interest in the environment was generally supported, more strongly for boys than for girls. Children high on PSF had better recall for novel information and were rated higher on curiosity by their teachers. Boys who were high on PSF show what Neumann and Helson have called a patriarchal pattern of intrusive, active, assertive personality characteristics. The pattern for girls was somewhat more subdued, but still suggested responsiveness to novelty and diversity of experience. PSF was associated positively but weakly with IQ, was negligibly related to test anxiety, and was positively correlated with school achievement. The relations of creativity to cognitive, personality, and motivational variables were also surveyed. (Author/JD)