Assessing and Accessing Creativity: An Integrative Review of Theory, Research, and Development

Creative thinking is a complex cognitive activity. Modern conceptions of creativity are so diverse and extensive that a definition of creativity must include related cognitive activities such as decision making, critical thinking, and metacognition. A comprehensive assessment requires multiple measures of the cognitive processes, motivations, interests, attitudes, and styles associated with creativity; the result of the creative process such as products, presentations, and performances; and the effects of environmental press factors. Creative thinking and creative problem solving are aspects of human cognition and behavior that can be accessed through a number of strategies often incorporated in training programs. These programs focus on one or more of the following: personality factors, motivation, cognition styles, metacognitive skills, and the manipulation of environmental conditions that encourage flexibility and openness for stimulating creative processes and behaviors. This article reviews theories, models, and research on creative behavior and then explores connections with assessment issues. It offers a synthesis of the basic constructs related to creative production.