Thinking and Creative Styles: A Validity Study

Abstract

The validity evidences of thinking and creative styles were analyzed. Two studies are reported, one analyzing the dimensionality of creative styles and the other verifying their external validity. Participants were Brazilians, 1,752 in the first study (55% women) and 128 in the second study (53% women), among whom 45% had demonstrated creative talent. The instruments were a scale of thinking and creative styles and Torrance's figural and verbal creativity tests. Item analysis used the Rasch model. Two styles were identified: cautious–reflexive and nonconforming–innovative. Linear regression for predicting recognized creative achievements indicated significant contributions from the verbal creativity index and the nonconforming–innovative style. Styles were found to have predictive and constructive validity for creativity.