MODULE 18
Problem solving and
Creativity
EDWARD PAUL TORRANCE (1915-2003)
Known around the world as the "Father of Creativity"
He was an American Psychologist
He developed the Torrance Test of Creative
Thinking(TTCT) which are widely used to assess
creativity in indviduals. His work emphasized the
importance of fostering creative thinking in education
and problem-solving.
Four Criteria Creativity by torrance
1. Fluency - The ability to generate a large number of ideas,
responses or solutions to a problem. It emphasizes quantity over
quality.
Keywords
Compare, convert count, define, describe, explain, identify,
label, list, match
Name, outline,paraphrase, predict, summarize.
Four Criteria Creativity by torrance
2. Flexibility - The ability to think in different ways and approach
problems from various perspectives. It involves shifting between
ideas and categories.
Keywords
Change, demonstrate, distinguish, employ, extrapolate,
interpolate, interpret, predict.
Four Criteria Creativity by torrance
3. Elaboration - The ability to expand on ideas by adding details,
complexity and depth. It involves refining and developing
concepts further.
Keywords
Appraise, critique, determine, evaluate, grade, judge
measure, select, test.
Four Criteria Creativity by torrance
4. Originality - The ability to generate unique or unusual ideas
that are not commonly thought of by others. It emphasizes
novelty and inventiveness
Keywords
Compose, create, design, generate, integrate, modify,
rearrange, reconstruct, reorganize, revise.
Creative Problem Solving - CPS
Is a structured approach to identifying challenges, generating
inovative solutions, and implementing them effectively.
Developed by Alex Osborn and further refined by sidney parnes,
CPS encourages both divergent (expansive) and
convergent(narrowing) thinking to foster creativity and problem
solving
6 Stages of CPS
1. Mess Finding - Identify issues, concerns, or challenges that need
to be addressed
Divergent Techniques
"Wouldn't It be nice if..."(WIBNI) - Imagining desirable outcomes
"Wouldn't It be awful if.."(WIBAI) - Identifying obstacles
Convergent Techniques
Identifying hotspots
Using "In what ways might...?"(IWWM)- to explore different
perspectives
6 Stages of CPS
2. Data Finding - Gather information related to the problem
Divergent Techniques
Five W's and H (who, what, when, where, why, how) - listing wants,
sources, and data.
Convergent Techniques
Identifying hotspots through highlighting key areas
Mind mapping to organize and categorize information
Restating the problem based on new insights.
6 Stages of CPS
3. Problem Finding - Define the problem in a clear and specific
way.
Divergent Techniques
Asking "why?" Multiple times to find root causes.
Using the Five W's and H again
Convergent Techniques
Highlighting key problem area
Reformulating broad issues into specific problem statements.
6 Stages of CPS
4. Idea Finding - Generate as many ideas as possible to address
the problem.
Divergent Techniques
Encouraging a wide range of posibilities
Classic brainstorming - freely generating ideas without judgement.
Convergent Techniques
Mind mapping - visually organizing ideas.
Combining different ideas to create better solution
6 Stages of CPS
5. Solution Finding - Evaluate and refine ideas to find best solution
Divergent Techniques
Expanding or modifying ideas through different perspectives.
Convergent Techniques
Selecting obvious evaluation criteria e.g cost, feasibility, impact
comparison tables to compare shortlisted ideas
6 Stages of CPS
6. Acceptance Finding - Implement and ensure commitment to the
chosen solution
Divergent Techniques
Developing alternative action plans to adjust if needed
Convergent Techniques
Encouraging small group decision making (2-3 people for better
focus).
Using techniques like: Five W's and H - detailing the implementation
plan
Implementation checklists - ensuring all necessary steps are
covered.
Concensus Mapping - getting agreement from stakeholders
Potential problem analysis - identifying and mitigating risks.
THANK YOU