Effects of an Art Intervention Program Using Ambiguous Image-Text Interactions on Creative Thinking

Abstract

This study examined whether creative thinking improves by utilizing an intervention program based on three types of ambiguous image-text interactions within artwork: (1) ambiguous text, (2) negation, and (3) semantically unrelated image-text. Participants (79) were divided into three groups: “ambiguous-negation-unrelated” group exposed to stimuli 1 + 2 + 3, “ambiguous-unrelated” group exposed to stimuli 1 + 3, and the control group unexposed to any intervention. The metaphor generation test (MGT) and Tel-Aviv creative test (TACT) were given pre- and post-intervention. The results showed the “ambiguous-negation-unrelated” intervention group scored higher on the TACT post-intervention, as compared to pre-intervention, a finding not observed among the “ambiguous-unrelated” and control groups. Furthermore, both art intervention groups generated more utterances overall (literal, conventional, and novel metaphors) in the MGT post-intervention, as compared to pre-intervention. These outcomes suggest this artwork intervention that utilized ambiguous image-text interactions and included theoretical discussion and reflective analysis can enhance divergent thinking.