Does insight problem solving predict real-world creativity?

TLDR

Insight problems are widely used to assess creative problem solving and are linked to the associative view of creativity, yet their predictive value for real‑world creativity remains largely unknown. The authors aimed to determine whether performance on classic insight problems predicts creative achievement and everyday creative behavior. They conducted two studies (n = 133 and n = 173) that measured insight problem solving, creative achievement, everyday creative behavior, and assessed personality and fluid intelligence to evaluate their relative influence beyond insight. Both studies found no relationship between insight problem solving and real‑world creativity, whereas openness to experience and fluid intelligence were significant predictors, prompting a reevaluation of the role of insight problems in predicting real‑world creativity.

Abstract

Insight problems are commonly used to assess creative problem solving. Such problems are often employed by proponents of the associative view of creativity—the notion that creative ideas result from unconscious processes. Surprisingly little is known, however, about how well performance on insight problems predicts real-world creativity. In two studies, we explored the contribution of several classic insight problems in creative achievement (Study 1; n 133) and everyday creative behavior (Study 2; n 173). We also assessed the role of personality and fluid intelligence, two well-established predictors of real-world creativity, to determine their relative influence beyond the effect of insight. Both studies found no evidence for a relationship between insight problem solving and creative behavior and achievement. Openness to experience and fluid intelligence, however, showed notable effects on both behavior and achievement. The present work thus raises the question of whether insight problem solving relates to real-world creativity.