Morehead State University
Convergent creative problem-solving in the context of working memory and field dependence/independence
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
Psychology
2nd Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
2nd Student Major
Psychology
Institution 23-24
Morehead State University
KY House District #
96
KY Senate District #
18
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Dr. Gregory Corso, Ph.D.
Department
Department of Psychology
Abstract
Relationships between working memory capacity (WMC), field dependence/independence (FDI), and convergent thinking problem-solving tasks were investigated. Individuals with greater WMC and higher field independence should perform better on convergent thinking tasks, tasks requiring one ideal problem solution. Previous research has found positive correlations between these three constructs but not using convergent thinking problem-solving tasks. Greater WMC and higher field independence were hypothesized to correlate with increased performance on creative convergent thinking problem-solving tasks. The OSPAN and EFT were used to measure WMC and FDI, respectively. The OPSAN presents a sequence of letters followed by a math problem; the participants recall the sequence of letters in order. The EFT requires participants to trace target images within complex figures. The convergent thinking problem-solving tasks were the Visual Remote Association Task (vRAT), Candle Problem (CP), and Two String Problem (TSP). Participants were randomly assigned to perform CP/TSP tasks or vRAT. The vRAT requires the identification of a target word forming a compound word with three given words. The CP requires participants to attach a candle to a wall using a matchbox and pushpins. The TSP requires participants to tie two strings, spaced apart, together using various objects. Latency and solution measures were obtained for each task. A significant positive correlation between OSPAN and EFT scores, r (44) = .46, p = .001, was observed, suggesting that increases in WMC support an increase in field independence. A significant correlation between EFT and vRAT scores, r (21) = .42, p = .044, partially supports the hypothesis that high-scoring field-independent individuals would perform better on creative problem-solving tasks requiring convergent thinking. Implications suggest that individuals with greater WMC and higher field independence have advanced convergent thinking and creative problem-solving capabilities, offering a method for identifying individuals who should be selected for tasks requiring creative problem-solving abilities.
Convergent creative problem-solving in the context of working memory and field dependence/independence
Relationships between working memory capacity (WMC), field dependence/independence (FDI), and convergent thinking problem-solving tasks were investigated. Individuals with greater WMC and higher field independence should perform better on convergent thinking tasks, tasks requiring one ideal problem solution. Previous research has found positive correlations between these three constructs but not using convergent thinking problem-solving tasks. Greater WMC and higher field independence were hypothesized to correlate with increased performance on creative convergent thinking problem-solving tasks. The OSPAN and EFT were used to measure WMC and FDI, respectively. The OPSAN presents a sequence of letters followed by a math problem; the participants recall the sequence of letters in order. The EFT requires participants to trace target images within complex figures. The convergent thinking problem-solving tasks were the Visual Remote Association Task (vRAT), Candle Problem (CP), and Two String Problem (TSP). Participants were randomly assigned to perform CP/TSP tasks or vRAT. The vRAT requires the identification of a target word forming a compound word with three given words. The CP requires participants to attach a candle to a wall using a matchbox and pushpins. The TSP requires participants to tie two strings, spaced apart, together using various objects. Latency and solution measures were obtained for each task. A significant positive correlation between OSPAN and EFT scores, r (44) = .46, p = .001, was observed, suggesting that increases in WMC support an increase in field independence. A significant correlation between EFT and vRAT scores, r (21) = .42, p = .044, partially supports the hypothesis that high-scoring field-independent individuals would perform better on creative problem-solving tasks requiring convergent thinking. Implications suggest that individuals with greater WMC and higher field independence have advanced convergent thinking and creative problem-solving capabilities, offering a method for identifying individuals who should be selected for tasks requiring creative problem-solving abilities.