Finding the Right Questions When Studying Creative Thinking

Notes that an understanding of the nature of creativity is important to a wide range of disciplines from cognitive psychology to education to industry and business. Creativity and innovation fuel progress and success. However, despite the importance of creativity and innovation to society, it is often neglected as a research topic. In Scientific and Technological Thinking (see record 2004-18516-000), one group of researchers attempts to resolve some of the methodological issues inherent in research on creativity with a focus on the study of creative and innovative thinking in the realms of science and technology. The authors take the perspective that the social, cultural, and material environments in which science is practiced are critical to understanding scientific cognition. What makes this treatment of creative thinking interesting is that rather than studying process, person, product, or press individually or as separate interacting factors, the authors take the position that these are not separate at all. One of the strengths of this book is the discussion of research designs that captures the authors' perspective of the nature of cognition and studies that exemplify the approach they are promoting. Through the example studies, they explore such aspects of creativity as reaction to the unexpected, problem-space searches, differences between problem finding and problem solving, and expertise. These example studies give a practical aspect to what could be a predominately theoretical book. This book should not be seen as a comprehensive review of the range of research in creative cognition, however, given that no feature of creative thinking is explored at length. This book is not a handbook to understanding creativity, but rather a presentation of an innovative perspective on scientific and technological thinking. The authors outline combinations of research methodologies and areas of study or problem spaces that have not been explored and thus reveal opportunities for future research. This book is excellent for the researcher who is seeking to expand his or her perceptions of cognition or is looking for a solid trunk of ideas to branch off from to enrich an established program of research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)