Effects of ad hoc category recall training on creativity in concept synthesis task

Abstract

In this study, we examined the effect of the categorization in concept combination. For this purpose, we used the alternative categories task (ACT), which is training to generate ad hoc categories. A comparison of high and low concept relevance indicated that lower relevance improved each production’ s creativity, originality, validity, and interestingness scores. The results also showed that the ACT group’ s creativity and originality scores improved. More analyses to examine the effects of ACT suggested that it may have the effect of promoting a different perspective on a concept. Alternatively, it may create a unique category that helps to overcome resistance to submitting original work to others.