Does a Correlation Exist Between Fluid Intelligence and Creativity

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the associations between fluid intelligence and creativity among young adults. The sample consisted of 26 university students who were recruited through convenience sampling method. The Raven Standard Progressive Matrices (RSPM) 9 item-form and a divergent thinking test were used to measure fluent intelligence and creativity, respectively. In order to examine the associations between creativity and fluent intelligence correlational analysis was applied. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient revealed that there was no significant relationship between the tests of divergent thinking and RSPM total score. On the other hand, the results showed a significant positive correlation between the RSPM visuospatial factor and both fluency (r=.47, p<.01) and flexibility (r=.41, p<.01) dimensions of the divergent thinking test. As a result, we suggest that certain basic processes regarding fluid intelligence (e.g. visual spatial reasoning) and creativity operate through common and similar mechanisms. Future studies could investigate the association between these constructs by using neuro-imagining method and focus on how these skills can be integrated into real life situations. © 2020, Cyprus Mental Health Institute. All rights reserved.