Many cognitive process theories of creativity include an initial process of problem identification, definition, and construction. Previous research suggests that problem identification and construction is related to creativity, and that creative individuals and experts tend to engage in problem identification and construction. Finally, previous research suggests that inducing active engagement in problem identification and construction, through instructions or training, facilitates creativity. In this paper we further offer our views regarding important future direction for researchers in this area. Specifically, issues regarding methodology, the relationship between personality and values and how problems are constructed, and problem identification and construction in teams are suggested as important avenues for future research.
We investigate the effect of individuals’ regulatory focus on divergent thinking performance. We analysed 3576 ideas, generated by 341 English‐speaking adults who participated in two separate divergent thinking tasks. A promotion focus results in higher levels of creative potential. Based on regulatory fit theory, we find that task engagement mediates the positive effect of a promotion focus on creative potential. Our findings are robust regardless whether fluency, flexibility or uniqueness is used as the creative potential measure. Our study further uncovers that regulatory focus does not only change the quantity of ideas, but also impacts the type of ideas generated. Promotion focus individuals generate a broader range of ideas than prevention focus individuals.
Using the newly developed eye-construction algorithm, we demonstrate a cost-effective all-optical sampling system, incorporating a free-running sampling pulse source. Polarization-insensitive eye-diagram construction of 160-Gb/s signals is realized at 0.3 sec/scan in the entire C band.