Interaction with metaphors enhances creative potential

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the effects of interaction with metaphors on a measure of creative potential: ideational fluency. For this purpose, 150 Mexican college students were selected. They were assigned to two experimental conditions (major and minor interaction with metaphors) and a control group. The CREA Creative Intelligence Test was used as a measure of ideational fluency and two instruments were developed for the presentation of metaphors. As a control measure, an instrument for the presentation of synonyms was developed. All instruments were designed and presented in Superlab. The analysis of covariance showed statistically significant differences (p < .001) between the means of the three groups, where high scores were consistent with the groups with the greatest exposure. The discussion of the findings revolves around the cognitive implications of metaphors and its possible applications.

KEYWORDS:

• Creativity
• metaphor
• CREA test
• language
• divergent thinking

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [JC-PC], upon reasonable request.