Creativity and Problem Solving

A common assignment on Creativity and Problem Solving is as follows:

Overview of Creativity and Problem Solving Research Paper:

To truly understand Creativity and Problem Solving, one must first understand the definition of creativity and problem solving. It seems like creativity is bound with purity without restriction. To further to illuminate on these topics, the paper will explore the underlying theories and models of Creativity and Problem Solving from recognizing prominent researchers including their work, theories, and contributions. The following questions will also steer the direction of the research: What is creative, who is creative and characteristics associated with creativity, how is creativity formed, what is problem solving and what are models of problem solving to solve problems?

What is Creativity and Problem Solving Research Paper?

Define what is creativity and problem solving. The paper will illuminate on understanding creative people and process and explore the underlying theories and models of creativity and problem solving. The main source of the modeling process is the experience of individual who have developed creative ideas or products. One of the earliest modes of creativity is found in Dewey's models (1920) of problem solving.

Dewey described the problem solving model in five steps which is as follows:

• A difficulty is felt
• The difficulty is located and defined
• Possible solutions are considered
• Consequences of these solutions are weighted
• One of the solutions is accepted

In the work of an author, Wallas went beyond Dewey's logical order of process and he incorporated unconscious processing and the experienced of "Aha" by many creators. The first component of the process is preparation; during this aspect the creator collects information by thinking about the problem from all angles to create the best possible solution. The second component of Wallas's model is incubation. During the incubation an individual does not consciously think about the problem. As the individual continues with his or her daily activity, at a point in time, the mind continues to consider the problem or question. The third stage is illumination. This stage is the "Aha" part of the experience where the ideas come together and the solution becomes clear. The final stage is the verification in which the solution is checked for practicality, effectiveness, and appropriateness. In this stage the solution may be articulated and fine-tuned as necessary.

Torrance (1988) brought forth the idea of process model of creativity as the basis for research which is as follows:

• Managing problems or difficulties
• Making guesses or hypotheses about the problems
• Evaluating the hypotheses, and possibly revising them
• Communicating the results

The Parnes-Osborn model of creativity problem solving brought forth the idea of process model of creativity as finding ideas needed at each cycle:

• Mess-finding is when seeking opportunities for problem solving and establishing a broad, general goal for problem solving
• Data-finding examines many details, looks at the Mess from many view points and determines the most important data, to guide problem development
• Problem solving is considering many possible problem statements and constructing or selecting a specific problem statement
• Idea finding is producing many unusual ideas and identifying promising possibilities
• solution finding is developing criteria for analyzing and refining promising possibilities and choosing criteria, and applying them to select and support promising solutions
• Acceptance finding is considering possible of assistance/resistance an possible for implementation and formulating a specific plan of action

Theories of Creativity and Problem Solving:

Discuss and contrast the early views of creativity process from the perspective of Plato and Aristotle. Both of these men describe the process of creativity but with a different approach. Plato argued that creativity product is created through a mystical way base on external source of inspiration or through a unique creative process. In contrast, Aristotle viewed that the human product is derived from clear understanding of natural law. In the modern time, these two complex views are still being debated in psychology. Among the theorist, some stressed understanding, intuition, or the process of creativity as unique and may formed without a logical organization in the mind. Other theorist discusses the similarities of creativity and some concentrate on the aspect of the cognitive process. Based on these approaches and the process of creativity, this paper will explore creativity and realized how creativity operates.