Influence of cognitive factors on creativity
File(s)
Author(s)
Yin, Yuan
Type
Thesis
Abstract
Various cognitive process models have been proposed for creative processes. However, existing models and studies cannot explain why the creative outputs of people who follow the same cognitive process are associated with various creativity-quality levels. The research reported in this thesis explored the influence of cognitive factors in creativity through detecting the performance (sequences, contextual details, and evoked time) of creativity-related cognitive factors (recall, association, combination, and retrieval) and linked the performance (sequences and contextual details) with output creativity quality levels of outputs.
The first case study identified which creative outputs assessment methods were suited to the research. Consensual Assessment Technique (CAT) and Cognitive Processes Associated with Creativity (CPSS) were selected, considering their consistency in assessment.
A second study identified how sequences and contextual details of cognitive factors in a creative process affected output creativity quality levels using think-aloud and interview research. The results show that the cognitive sequence of recall, common association, remote association, retrieval, and remote combination is associated with the highest creativity quality levels of outputs. A framework has been produced summarising the relations between sequences of cognitive factors and output creativity quality levels.
A third study revealed physiological performances of cognitive factors in creative processes through Electroencephalograph (EEG). The study revealed that the evoked time of common association is swifter, than recall, than remote association, than combination, than retrieval.
A fourth case study tested the framework. The results indicated that creativity quality levels of outputs, generated by following the specific-creativity-quality-level instruction, are consistent with the followed-creativity-quality level. This also supports the reliability of the proposed framework.
The findings and outcomes of this thesis lead to further understanding of creativity in the design context. The performance of cognitive factors detected could be further adapted to develop new creativity stimulation tools and further understand creativity cognition.
The first case study identified which creative outputs assessment methods were suited to the research. Consensual Assessment Technique (CAT) and Cognitive Processes Associated with Creativity (CPSS) were selected, considering their consistency in assessment.
A second study identified how sequences and contextual details of cognitive factors in a creative process affected output creativity quality levels using think-aloud and interview research. The results show that the cognitive sequence of recall, common association, remote association, retrieval, and remote combination is associated with the highest creativity quality levels of outputs. A framework has been produced summarising the relations between sequences of cognitive factors and output creativity quality levels.
A third study revealed physiological performances of cognitive factors in creative processes through Electroencephalograph (EEG). The study revealed that the evoked time of common association is swifter, than recall, than remote association, than combination, than retrieval.
A fourth case study tested the framework. The results indicated that creativity quality levels of outputs, generated by following the specific-creativity-quality-level instruction, are consistent with the followed-creativity-quality level. This also supports the reliability of the proposed framework.
The findings and outcomes of this thesis lead to further understanding of creativity in the design context. The performance of cognitive factors detected could be further adapted to develop new creativity stimulation tools and further understand creativity cognition.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2023-10-04
Date Awarded
2024-04-01
Copyright Statement
Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial NoDerivatives Licence
Advisor
Childs, Peter
Mougenot, Celine
Publisher Department
Dyson School of Design Engineering
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)