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Picking a Winner: How We Choose Our Most Creative Ideas

Jesurun, Timothy

Abstract Details

2014, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Psychology-Industrial/Organizational.
In order to better understand the creative process it is necessary to understand how a person evaluates creative ideas, not just how they are generated. This study examines how people might choose as best ideas higher in originality or in practicality from a standard list of TV show ideas. This series of studies uses the model of idea evaluation proposed by Mumford, Lonergan, and Scott (2002) which says that people first forecast how the idea will work out if implemented, then compare the ideas against each other before finally choosing a single idea to pursue. Study 1 examined whether this model matched how people naturally evaluate ideas, but the results did not support the model. Study 2 examined if people can be influenced to favor originality or practicality by going through the process in different ways. Changing the process did affect idea evaluation as expected, especially for those low in divergent thinking, an individual difference related to generating new ideas. Study 3 tested whether the regulatory focus context could affect idea evaluation. The regulatory focus context did affect idea evaluation; those with a promotion focus favored original ideas and those with a prevention focus favored practical ideas. Further research is needed into the way people naturally evaluate ideas and also research is needed into idea evaluation in a setting that is more real world.
Andrea Snell, Dr. (Advisor)
Paul Levy, Dr. (Committee Member)
James Diefendorff, Dr. (Committee Member)
Joelle Elicker, Dr. (Committee Member)
R. Ray Gehani, Dr. (Committee Member)
86 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Jesurun, T. (2014). Picking a Winner: How We Choose Our Most Creative Ideas [Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1396604876

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Jesurun, Timothy. Picking a Winner: How We Choose Our Most Creative Ideas. 2014. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1396604876.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Jesurun, Timothy. "Picking a Winner: How We Choose Our Most Creative Ideas." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1396604876

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)