Computer-supported idea generation

Abstract

Idea generation is a creativity task that involves productive thinking. Often, the generation of ideas is one of the early steps in problem solving. To foster idea generation, brainstorming (Osborn 1957) remains one of the most widely used techniques by individuals as well as groups (cf. Rickards 1999). It consists of a set of instructions designed to free the individual from the inhibiting effects of self-criticism and – in the case of group brainstorming – the criticism by others during a problem-solving session. In particular, brainstormers are instructed to keep the following in mind: the more ideas the better; the wilder the ideas the better; improve or combine ideas already suggested; and do not be critical. Probably the most important claim by Osborn was the statement that brainstorming would allow the average person to come up with ‘twice as many ideas when working with a group than when working alone’ (1957: 229). This claim is based on the assumption that members of a group will be mutually stimulated by the ideas of others and thus come up with ideas they would not have otherwise thought about. However, numerous studies have failed to support this optimistic prediction. Quite the contrary – perhaps one of the most consistent findings in social psychological research is the inferiority of brainstorming groups consisting of more than two members when compared to so-called ‘nominal’ groups (e.g. Diehl and Stroebe 1987). The productivity of such nominal groups is assessed as the quantity or quality of the non-redundant ideas from an equal number of individuals working alone.