Effects of Problem Scope and Creativity Instructions on Idea Generation and Selection

Eric F. Rietzschel*, Bernard A. Nijstad, Wolfgang Stroebe

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The basic assumption of brainstorming is that increased quantity of ideas results in increased generation as well as selection of creative ideas. Although previous research suggests that idea quantity correlates strongly with the number of good ideas generated, quantity has been found to be unrelated to the quality of selected ideas. This article reports the results of a brainstorming experiment aimed at increasing the average creativity of ideas and creative idea selection (rather than idea quantity). Problem scope (narrow vs. broad) and creativity instructions (emphasis on creativity vs. personal relevance) were manipulated. Results show that both narrow (vs. broad) problems and creativity (vs. relevance) instructions led to the generation of ideas that were more creative. However, only under creativity instructions did participants select more creative ideas.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)185-191
Number of pages7
JournalCreativity Research Journal
Volume26
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2014

Keywords

  • BRAINSTORMING GROUPS
  • CATEGORY STRUCTURE
  • PRODUCTIVITY LOSS
  • DUAL PATHWAY
  • PERSISTENCE
  • ACTIVATION
  • THOUGHT
  • LEVEL
  • MODEL
  • TASK

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effects of Problem Scope and Creativity Instructions on Idea Generation and Selection'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this