Modeling original divergent responses: An initial investigation

Investigated the effects of a videotaped model on children's verbal originality. 92 4th and 5th graders were randomly assigned to 4 groups. Group I viewed a filmed model who described highly original uses for tin cans, while Group II observed the same model describing unoriginal uses (unoriginal uses film). Group III read a booklet specifically designed to train children's idea production. Group IV was an untreated control group. On fluency and originality scores from the unusual uses test from the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking, Form A, both film groups performed significantly better than the other groups. Further, Group I scored significantly higher than Group II. Interestingly, females performed best after viewing the unoriginal uses film, while males performed best after the original uses film. Viewing a videotaped model led to significant increases in both quantity and quality of divergent productions. (17 ref)