Conflicting Problem Representations and Creativity: Effects on Problem Construction

ABSTRACT

Contradictions and competing demands are common in everyday problems. To address these problems, individuals need to both recognize and integrate these contradictions during problem-solving to find creative solutions. We propose that recognition and integration take place in the problem construction phase of the creative problem-solving process. During problem construction, individuals work to develop their own understanding of the problem at hand. To do so, they sort through and combine problem representations activated through cues in the problem. We argue that the integration of conflicting and paradoxical elements in their understanding of the problem during problem construction is related to the originality and quality of proposed solutions beyond their initial ability to identify these elements. In a laboratory study, participants solved two different problems. We found that individuals identified more conflicting elements in the problem construction phase, but retained fewer of them in the problem-solving phase. Larger conflict between elements retained for problem solving resulted in more original and higher quality solutions to the problems.

Disclosure statement

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