An Exploratory Study of the Relationships between an Assessment of Problem Solving Style and Creative Problem Solving

An Exploratory Study of the Relationships between an Assessment of Problem Solving Style and Creative Problem Solving

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between VIEW: An Assessment of Problem Solving Style (VIEW; Selby, Treffinger, Isaksen & Lauer, 2004; Treffinger & Selby, 2004), and the preference for learning and using of the specific tools, guidelines, stages and components of the current version of creative problem solving (Isaksen & Treffinger, 2004; Treffinger, Isaksen, & Stead-Dorval, 2006). This study, conducted by Geuens (2006), can be considered a part of a larger program of research called the Cognitive Styles Project, so the previous work done within the program will be summarized to provide an understanding of the broader context for the research. Significant relationships between all three dimensions of VIEW and various creative problem solving (CPS) tools, guidelines and process stages were found. Findings on the Orientation to Change dimension from VIEW were similar to previous findings using the Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory (KAI). New insights for the Manner of Processing dimension of VIEW showing, for example, that internals do favor learning Brainwriting. New insights were also found for the Ways of Deciding dimension of VIEW, showing that Task-Oriented deciders reported many more significant relationships for both learning and applying CPS. In general, even though this was a very exploratory study, there was support for the use of VIEW in improving our understanding of style differences for learning and applying CPS.