Graduation Semester and Year

Spring 2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Psychology

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Jared Kenworthy

Second Advisor

Dr. Laura Marusich

Third Advisor

Dr. Hunter Ball

Abstract

This thesis explored the adaptation of the Cyclical Divergent to Convergent Innovation Model (CDCIM), a structural model used in group brainstorming settings, to the context of individual brainstorming. The primary objective was to investigate whether this brainstorming model enhances the creative output of individuals in terms of idea quantity, quality (based on novelty and feasibility), and divergence in the final output. The study employed an experimental design involving 174 participants, divided into two conditions: Linear (C1), and CDCIM (C2). Participants were tasked with designing various aspects of a futuristic university. The results showed that participants in the CDCIM condition generated significantly more ideas. However, no significant difference was found in terms of novelty, feasibility, final plan quality, and divergence in the final output. These mixed findings provided insights into the mechanisms of individual creativity, suggesting that while structured cycles may support idea fluency, they may not be enough to enhance creative output without additional sources of stimulation or cue diversity. Additionally, the study discussed additional insights and acknowledged challenges and limitations of using the CDCIM model to individual contexts, aiding future research in this area.

Keywords

Individual brainstorming, CDCIM, Brainstorming models, Creativity, Cyclical, Linear

License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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