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Mental imagery and creativity: A meta‐analytic review study
Author(s) -
LeBoutillier Nicholas,
Marks David F.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
british journal of psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.536
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 2044-8295
pISSN - 0007-1269
DOI - 10.1348/000712603762842084
Subject(s) - psychology , creativity , mental image , meta analysis , context (archaeology) , set (abstract data type) , cognitive psychology , task (project management) , variance (accounting) , cognition , social psychology , medicine , paleontology , management , neuroscience , computer science , economics , biology , programming language , business , accounting
The reports of many creative individuals suggest the use of mental imagery in scientific and artistic production. A variety of protocols have tested the association between mental imagery and creativity, but the individual differences approach has been most frequently employed. This approach is assessed here through a range of meta‐analytic tests. Database searches revealed 18 papers employing the individual differences approach that were subjected to a conservative set of selection criteria. Nine studies (1,494 participants) were included in the final analyses. A marginal, but statistically significant, Fisher's Z ‐transformed correlation coefficient was revealed. Further analyses showed little difference between form and type of self‐reported imagery and divergent thinking. Explanations for the failure to account for more than 3% of the variance in the data sets are discussed in the context of anecdotal reports, task validity, and design problems.