The Remote Associates Test as a Predictor of Productivity in Brainstorming Groups

Abstract

Two studies investigated the validity of the Re mote Associates Test (RAT) in predicting produc tivity in brainstorming groups. In Study 1 groups of high and low RAT scorers discussed two problems relevant to social concerns (energy conservation, rape prevention). In Study 2 Alternate Uses and Consequences problems were discussed by groups composed of heterogeneous RAT scorers. In each study the RAT was significantly related to fluency, flexibility, and originality of ideas generated by group members, with these effects appearing con sistently across problems. In addition, Study 2 indi cated that the RAT relationships to creativity in dices were independent of verbal intelligence. Pre liminary data were also gathered regarding RAT re lationships to idea generation while working indi vidually and to the potential value of the Marlowe- Crowne Scale as a predictor of brainstorming pro ductivity.