Analyzing the Creative Problem-Solving Process: Inventing a Product from a Given Recyclable Item

Caralee K. Doak, Stacey M. Jambura, Jason A. Knittel, Audrey C. Rule

Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/ce.2013.49085                

Abstract

Detailed documentations of creative invention are scarce in the professional literature, but could be useful to those engaging in or studying the problem solving process. This investigation describes the creative process of graduate students (7 female, 4 male) in a problem-solving theory and practice course grappling with the task of creating products from four identical recyclable items that were circular, star-impressed bottoms of plastic juice bottles. Several popular models of the problem-solving process are compared to the participants’ steps in this invention problem. Participants first provided emotional reactions to the given ill-defined problem of making a product from the specified items. They used several techniques to generate ideas and to restrict or define the problem, choosing an optimal product that fits their require-ments. An analysis of participants’ reflections concerning their creative process showed that although participants first found the problem challenging and could not conceptualize effective products, the idea-generating activities assisted them in making a wide variety of useful products. Participants’ knowledge and skill areas were highlighted by their choices of products. After completing and presenting a first product, participants engaged in additional activities to generate ideas for a second product. The second product was either an improvement of the first product, a new but related product, or a product inspired by the work of others in the class. Products of this loosely defined problem included: maracas, dish, spin top, candy suckers, closet organizers, party decorations, yoyo, ladybug, wall décor, flowers, catch game, party hat, candle holders, moth life cycle, catapult game, toy clock, goblets, castanets, accessory organizer, and spice shaker.

Keywords

Problem Solving; Creativity; Invention; Creative Process; Product Evaluation

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Adair, J. (2010). Decision making and problem solving strategies. Lon don, England: Kogan Page.
[2]	Basadur, M., & Basadur, T. (2011). Where are the generators? Psy chology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, 5, 29-42. doi:10.1037/a0017757
[3]	Basadur, M. S., Graen, G. B., & Green, S. G. (1982). Training in crea tive problem solving: Effects on ideation and problem finding in an applied research organization. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 30, 41-70. doi:10.1016/0030-5073(82)90233-1
[4]	Brittain, W. L., & Beittel, K. R. (1960). Analyses of levels of creative performances in the visual arts. The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism, 19, 83-90. doi:10.2307/427415
[5]	Cropley, A. J. (2000). Defining and measuring creativity: Are creativity tests worth using? Roeper Review, 23, 72-79. doi:10.1080/02783190009554069
[6]	Davis, G. A., Rimm, S. B., & Siegle, D. (2011). Education of the gifted and talented (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
[7]	Dillon, J. T. (1982). Problem finding and solving. Journal of Creative Behavior, 16, 97-111. doi:10.1002/j.2162-6057.1982.tb00326.x
[8]	Duncker, K. (1945). On problem-solving. Psychological Monographs, 58, i-113. doi:10.1037/h0093599
[9]	Dye, J. F., Schatz, I. M., Rosenberg, B. A., & Coleman, S. T. (2000). Constant comparison method: A kaleidoscope of data. The Qualita tive Report, 4, 1-9. http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR4-1/dye.html
[10]	Eberle, R. F. (2008). SCAMPER. Waco, TX: Prufrock Press, Inc.
[11]	Einstein. A., & Infeld, L. (1938). The evolution of physics. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
[12]	Feldman, D. H. (1999). The development of creativity. In R. J. Stern berg (Ed.), Handbook of creativity (pp. 169-188). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
[13]	Geiken, R. (2011). Cylinder and spheres: Toddlers engage in problem solving. Cedar Falls, Iowa: University of Northern Iowa.
[14]	Getzels, J. W. (1979). Problem finding: A theoretical note. Cognitive Science, 3, 167-172. doi:10.1207/s15516709cog0302_4
[15]	Getzels, J. W. (1982). Problem finding and the inventiveness of solu tions. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 9, 12-18. doi:10.1002/j.2162-6057.1975.tb00552.x
[16]	Getzels, J. W. (1987). Creativity, intelligence, and problem finding: Retrospect and prospect. In S. G. Isaksen (Ed.), Frontiers of creative ity research: Beyond the basics (pp. 88-102). Buffalo, NY: Bearly Limited.
[17]	Getzels, J. W., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1976). The creative vision: A longitudinal study of problem finding in art. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.
[18]	Goetz, J. P., & LeCompte, M. D. (1981). Ethnographic research and the problem of data reduction. Anthropology and Education Quarterly, 12, 51-70. doi:10.1525/aeq.1981.12.1.05x1283i
[19]	Guilford, J. P. (1967). The nature of human intelligence. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Book Company.
[20]	Kabanoff, B., & Rossiter, J. R. (1994). Recent developments in applied creativity. International Review of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 9, 283-324.
[21]	Lee, H., & Cho, Y. (2007). Factors affecting problem finding depend ing on degree of structure of problem situation. The Journal of Edu cational Research, 101, 113-124. doi:10.3200/JOER.101.2.113-125
[22]	Michalko, M. (2001). Cracking creativity: The secrets of creative gen ius. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press.
[23]	Michalko, M. (2006). Thinkpak. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press.
[24]	Moore, H. (1955). Notes on sculpture. In B. Ghiselin (Ed.), The crea tive process. New York, NY: Mentor.
[25]	Osborn, A. F. (1963). Applied imagination: Principles and procedures of creative thinking (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Charles Scribner’s Sons.
[26]	Paletz, S. B. F., & Peng, K. (2008). Implicit theories of creativity across cultures: Novelty and appropriateness in two product domains. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 39, 286-302. doi:10.1177/0022022108315112
[27]	Parnes, S. (1981). The magic of your mind. Buffalo, NY: Creative Education Foundation in association with Bearly Limited.
[28]	Piirto, J. (2004). Understanding creativity. Scottsdale, AZ: Great Po tential Press.
[29]	Reiter-Palmon, R., Mumford, M. D., Boes, J. O., & Runco, M. A. (1997). Problem construction and creativity: The role of ability, cue consistency, and active processing. Creativity Research Journal, 10, 9-23. doi:10.1207/s15326934crj1001_2
[30]	Runco, M. A., Nemiro, J., & Walberg, H. J. (1998). Personal explicit theories of creativity. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 32, 1-17. doi:10.1002/j.2162-6057.1998.tb00803.x
[31]	Runco, M. A., & Pritzker, S. R. (2011). Encyclopedia of creativity (2nd ed.). London: Academic Press.
[32]	Torrance, E. P., Ball, O. E., & Safter, H. T. (2008). Torrance tests of creative thinking streamlined scoring guide for figural forms a and b. Bensenville, IL: Scholastic Testing Service, Inc.
[33]	Treffinger, D. J. & Isaksen, S. G. (2005). Creative problem solving: The history, development, and implications for gifted education and talent development. Gifted Child Quarterly, 49, 342-253. doi:10.1177/001698620504900407
[34]	Van Meeteren, B. D. (2013). Designing elementary engineering education from the perspective of the child. Cedar Falls, Iowa: University of Northern Iowa.
[35]	Wallas, G. (1926). The art of thought. New York, NY: Harcourt, Brace and Company.