A cognitive interpretation is not at odds with equal odds: A latent variable investigation of creative thinking.

Forthmann, B., Weiss, S., & Goecke, B.

Abstract

A fundamental question in creativity research is whether chance models of creativity align with the idea that cognitive ability can explain individual differences in creative cognition. Using two datasets (NDataset1 = 462 and NDataset2 = 331) we extended previous work on the equal odds baseline (i.e., a chance model of creativity) by using a latent variable analytic approach to model latent residual factors rectified for fluency. We compared three measurement models: the EOB latent variable model, a residualized model, and a ratio score model, examining their reliability and associations with cognitive abilities (i.e., fluid intelligence and working memory capacity). We found that when a chance model of creativity is deemed to be an appropriate fit for a given dataset, as evidenced by Dataset 2 in our study, a cognitive interpretation of originality factor η is warranted (i.e., around 21% of variance can be explained by working memory capacity). Our work, thus, refines discussions about the compatibility of chance models with cognitive explanations of creative cognition.