The relationship between creative thinking ability and academic achievement in selected junior college classes where creative thinking is emphasized

Abstract

The purpose of the study of selected junior college classes which emphasize creative thinking was to investigate the relationship between creative thinking ability and academic achievement. The relationships investigated in this research were as follows: 1. The correlation between creative thinking ability and teacher-assigned course grades in Interior Design courses. 2. The correlation between creative thinking ability and Interior Design laboratory grades. 3. The correlation between creative thinking ability and overall college grade point ratios. 4. The comparison of creative thinking ability among the following groups: students pursuing Certificates of Technology, students pursuing Associate of Applied Science Degrees, and those students intending to pursue Baccalaureate Degrees. 5. The comparison of creative thinking ability between students enrolled in freshmen courses and students enrolled in sophomore courses. A secondary investigation was to determine if laboratory grades, course grades, and college grade point ratios could be significantly predicted from the following variables: creativity test scores, intelligence test scores, high school grade averages, age, and the educational level of attainment of the fathers. Creative thinking ability was measured by the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking, "Thinking Creatively with Pictures" (Form B). Intelligence (IQ) was measured by the Otis-Lennon Mental Ability Test. The sample consisted of ninety-nine students from the Interior Design Department at San Jacinto College which is located in East Harris County near Houston, Texas. ...