Idea Evaluation and Creativity: Toward a Process-Specific Nomological Network

ABSTRACT

In this article, I review nearly a decade of research on the topic of idea evaluation and creativity. This summary spans early theoretical, experimental, and integrative work. I propose an initial nomological network of idea evaluation that is situated within the traditional eight-stage process model of creative problem solving. The proposed network consists of personal factors, contextual factors, and their interactions that have been empirically demonstrated to influence idea evaluation performance. I draw the conclusion that each creative process places unique demands on individuals and groups, and thus may require unique resources to execute. Future research is encouraged that focuses on constructing more precise nomological networks of creative processes.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank my many coauthors who contributed to the research summarized here, including Carter Gibson, Jensen Mecca, Kelsey Medeiros, Logan Steele, Michael Mumford, Michelle Todd, Shivani Shah, Tristan McIntosh, Tyler Mulhearn, Wiston Rodriguez, Yochi Cohen-Charash, and Yuliya Cheban. Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. Logan Watts, Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Arlington, [email protected].

Disclosure statement

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

Notes

1. This condemnation of the historical literature is not altogether fair. For nearly a century, idea evaluation (also known as verification or elaboration) has been considered critical to creative thought (Amabile, 1983; Guilford, 1950; Wallas, 1926). However, the empirical literature was clearly weighted toward the study of generative processes.