How broad cognitive abilities contribute to traditional analogies, creative analogies, and general creativity

Abstract

The purpose of this research study was to examine the contributions of three broad cognitive abilities to traditional analogies, two types of creative analogies, and general creativity. The three cognitive abilities were broad retrieval ability (Gr), crystallized intelligence (Gc), and fluid intelligence (Gf). Four hundred and forty-three sixth-graders from six elementary schools located in Taiwan were recruited to participate in this study. A carefully self-designed instrument, composed of eight parts, was administered to find out the delicate relations between cognitive abilities, traditional analogies, and creative analogies. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to address the main research questions. As results demonstrated, Gc (β = .62, p<.001) and Gf (β = .28, p<.001) had significant effects on traditional analogies, whereas Gr (β = .06, p = .310) did not have significant effect. Gr (β = .30, p<.001) and Gc (β = .28, p<.001) had significant effects on creative analogies with incomplete simile sentences (abstract analogies), but Gf (β = .002, p = .982) did not have significant effect. Gr (β = .54, p<.001) had significant effects on creative analogies concerning emotional experiences (concrete analogies), but Gc (β = .084, p = .318) and Gf (β = -.01, p = .851) did not have significant effect. The two types of creative analogies (abstract and creative analogies) exhibited different patterns of relations with the three cognitive abilities. In addition, Gr (β = .54, p<.001) had a significant effect on general creativity, whereas Gf (β<.001, p = .966) and Gc (β = -.14, p = .126) did not have significant effects. Overall, Gr contributed most to creative thinking of the three cognitive abilities. These results, exhibiting some consistencies and inconsistencies with those of previous studies, were discussed in the context of existing literature.