A failure to find an effect of perceptual set on creativity

Abstract

The effect of a perceptual set on creativity was tested. Subjects in 16 groups (N = 348) were exposed to one of four pretest conditions. One group received practice on the physiognomic perception test, previously shown to be one of the most successful correlates of creativity; another group was exposed to one of the least successful perceptual measures, figure-ground; and in two control conditions, subjects received either a verbal or no pretest. The effects of these pretests were measured by four unusual uses tests of creativity. These measure the number of ideas generated (fluidity) and their unusualness (divergent thinking). None of the pretests, including the perceptual tasks, affected any of the creativity scores. The implications of these null findings, including future directions for research, are discussed. © 1990, The Psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.