Exploring the interplay between fluid intelligence and creativity: the mediating role of the field-dependent-independent cognitive style

Abstract

The current study examined the effect of fluid intelligence (Gf) on both creative potential and real-world visual creative production, taking into account the role of field-dependent-independent cognitive style (FDI). We hypothesised two models in which FDI mediated the interplay between Gf and creativity in terms of creative potential (Model A) and real-world visual creative production (Model B). Furthermore, we advanced two models (Model C and Model D), in which FDI was a moderator. In this study, one-hundred Italian young adults performed the Kaufmann Brief Intelligence Test-2, the Embedded Figure Test, three tasks measuring creative potential (Alternative Uses Task, Remote Associate Test, and Creative Personality Scale), and a real-world visual creative production task (Visual Creative Synthesis Task). Results revealed only the mediating role of FDI in both Gf-creative potential and Gf-real-world visual creative production links, supporting the notion that the individual predisposition toward field independence plays a key role in the interplay between Gf and creativity.