Myth 5: Creativity Is Too Difficult to Measure

Autor/in	Treffinger, Donald J.
Titel	Myth 5: Creativity Is Too Difficult to Measure
Quelle	In: Gifted Child Quarterly, 53 (2009) 4, S.245-247 (3 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0016-9862
DOI	10.1177/0016986209346829
Schlagwörter	Stellungnahme; Intelligence; Creativity; Cognitive Processes; Measurement Techniques; Evaluation Methods; Academically Gifted; Misconceptions; Creative Thinking + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Intelligenz; Klugheit; Kreativität; Cognitive process; Kognitiver Prozess; Messtechnik; Missverständnis; Kreatives Denken
Abstract	In his 1982 response to the myth that "creativity is too difficult to measure," Dr. Joe Khatena (a long-time contributor to the literature on creativity), characterized creativity as the "most exciting dimension of mental functioning." Building on a three-dimensional view of creativity (emphasizing the "individual," the "environment," and the "cosmos" or "suprarational" dimensions), Khatena described a hierarchy of creative levels from the fundamental, rational to the highest or most esoteric levels of creative genius (in Torrance's phrase the "further reaches" of creativity). Arguing cogently for the importance of clarity about one's conception of creativity, he proposed that, although the highest levels yet eluded assessment, it was certainly a myth that the more fundamental, rational dimensions were unable to be measured. As individuals review progress since Khatena's response, the myth still persists, and his conclusion that some relevant dimensions of creativity can be measured remains valid. In several ways, however, the nature and expressions of the myth have changed, and several closely related myths have also emerged. Is creativity "too difficult" to measure? People should acknowledge Khatena's wise conclusion in 1982 that "the measurement of creativity, like other facets of intellectual functioning, will always be a challenge," and hold in mind the caution that any complex form of behavior should never be presumed to be "easy" to assess. Nonetheless, if they establish the goal of gathering data to understand the richness and breadth of creativity, in an appropriate context and for appropriate purposes, assessing creativity is a possible and worthwhile undertaking. (ERIC).
Anmerkungen	SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10