n that category. Preinventive form condition contrasted with two other conditions; one in which participants chose the object category, another in which it was randomly selected. In both cases the object category was defined prior to mental synthesis taking place. Finke added a highly creative classification, which was for those objects which achieved maximum scores on both practicality and originality scales.
Category Chosen Category random Preinventive Form Practical Inventions 53%49%34% Creative Inventions 9%14%18% Highly Creative 3%4%7%
Results showed that participants produced a greater proportion of creative and highly creative inventions when they decided the basic form of object prior to knowing what function it was expected to perform. Inventions displayed an Illusion of Intentionality -Form perceived as being constructed specifically for the function it performs.
These results runs counter to the accepted maxim that form follows function Finke suggests a reversal of this, in which creativity is enhanced by establishing a basic preinventive form prior to the specification of function; i.e., function follows form.
Sydney Opera House Designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon
Form in Architectural Design American architect Frank Lloyd Wright was originator of concept of organic architecture. Felt design of buildings should be inspired by pre-existing forms in nature.
Creative Synthesis Finke regards insight as the basis of creative thought. 1.Convergent – a set of data is unified into a new pattern or structure. 2.Divergent – new uses are found for an existing pattern or structure. Finke argues divergent insight produces the most creative thought.
Model consists of two distinct processing components; a generative phase, followed by an exploratory phase. Generative phase consists of construction of preinventive forms. In exploratory phase individual tries to interpret these preinventive forms in meaningful ways. Creative thinking initiates a geneplore cycle in which preinventive forms are continually generated, regenerated, and modified.
Number of cycles determined by desired extent of conceptual refinement or expansion of finished product. Both generative and exploratory phases can be affected by product constraints. These can include constraints on product type as well as product function. Restrictions on product category may benefit creative thinking, while similar restrictions on product type may constrain it.