Heuristics as a Basis for Assessing Creative Potential: Measures, Methods, and Contingencies

Abstract

Studies of creative thinking skills have generally measured a single aspect of creativity, divergent thinking. A number of other processes involved in creative thought have been identified. Effective execution of these processes is held to depend on the strategies applied in process execution, or heuristics. In this article, we review prior studies, examining the procedures used to measure these heuristics. Evidence for the reliability and validity of these measures is provided where available. In addition, we propose alternative methods for the measurement of heuristics. The implications of measuring heuristics on the study of creativity are discussed.