Complexity-simplicity, experience, and incongruity.

Abstract

Based on research in personality and creativity, it was predicted that Ss who preferred more complex polygons and who were high in experience (number of semester hours) in psychology courses would not be as likely to rate clinical psychology as a science, while Ss who preferred simpler polygons and had less experience in psychology courses would more likely rate clinical psychology as a science. Results obtained from 75 Ss supported this prediction and seem consistent with the cognitive-social information processing theory of Schroder, Driver, and Streufert (1967). Analysis of variance indicated that Complexity-Simplicity, Experience, and the Complexity-Simplicity × Experience interaction were statistically significant.