The road not taken: creative solutions require avoidance of high-frequency responses

Psychological Science
Nitin GuptaDavid E Huber

Abstract

To investigate individual differences in creativity as measured with a complex problem-solving task, we developed a computational model of the remote associates test (RAT). For 50 years, the RAT has been used to measure creativity. Each RAT question presents three cue words that are linked by a fourth word, which is the correct answer. We hypothesized that individuals perform poorly on the RAT when they are biased to consider high-frequency candidate answers. To assess this hypothesis, we tested individuals with 48 RAT questions and required speeded responding to encourage guessing. Results supported our hypothesis. We generated a norm-based model of the RAT using a high-dimensional semantic space, and this model accurately identified correct answers. A frequency-biased model that included different levels of bias for high-frequency candidate answers explained variance for both correct and incorrect responses. Providing new insight into the nature of creativity, the model explains why some RAT questions are more difficult than others, and why some people perform better than others on the RAT.

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Citations

Apr 17, 2013·Cognition·Kevin A SmithEdward Vul
Oct 12, 2012·Memory & Cognition·Ut Na SioTom Ormerod
Aug 1, 2015·Cortex; a Journal Devoted to the Study of the Nervous System and Behavior·Nicolas Dumay
May 24, 2012·Experimental Psychology·Sascha Topolinski, Roland Deutsch
Jun 25, 2014·Frontiers in Human Neuroscience·Yoed N KenettMiriam Faust
May 2, 2014·Frontiers in Human Neuroscience·Simone M Ritter, Ap Dijksterhuis
Nov 29, 2017·Brain : a Journal of Neurology·David BendetowiczEmmanuelle Volle
Sep 1, 2019·Sleep & Breathing = Schlaf & Atmung·Mariantonietta Savarese, Maria Caterina Di Perri
Feb 14, 2020·The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology : QJEP·Derek M EllisGene A Brewer
Sep 22, 2019·Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin·Li Huang
Jul 19, 2018·Frontiers in Psychology·Kathryn J Friedlander, Philip A Fine
Feb 18, 2017·Frontiers in Psychology·Ivana KajićChris Eliasmith
Feb 5, 2021·Journal of Intelligence·Derek M EllisGene A Brewer
May 4, 2018·Consciousness and Cognition·Derek M Ellis, Gene A Brewer
Apr 14, 2021·Memory·Martin Marko, Igor Riečanský
May 4, 2021·Frontiers in Psychology·Giulia FusiMaria Luisa Rusconi
May 9, 2021·Brain Structure & Function·Claire DeshayesCaroline Chambon
Nov 2, 2021·Frontiers in Psychology·Paula Ibáñez de AldecoaSabine Tebbich
Jun 23, 2017··Pao SiangliulueRuixue Liu

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