Construct validity and factorial invariance across sex of the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking – Figural Form A in Spanish-speaking children

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the construct validity of the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT) by means of Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Based on previous literature, four theoretical models were compared to explain the creativity construct as measured by the TTCT Figural, Form A, in a sample of Argentine children. This work also examined whether the structure found through the CFA was invariant across sex. A sample of 381 Spanish-speaking children and adolescents aged 9–12 years was studied. The CFA identified two correlated factors: Innovative and Adaptive. The best-fit model indicated that the TTCT-Figural Form A is composed of two factors: innovative and adaptive (χ2=3.88; df=4; p=0.423; GFI=1.00, NFI=0.99; CFI=1.00, and RMSEA=0.000). These factors included the skills proposed by Torrance et al. (1992). It was also found that the two-factor model was invariant (i.e., configural, metric, scalar, and structural) across sex. Finally, MANOVAs results revealed that there are no differences in each subscale of the factors found according to sex. The results are discussed in view of the psychometric implications and their significance in the educational and psychological spheres.