GSTF International Journal of Law and Social Sciences (JLSS) Vol.1 No.2, July 2012 “Fourth Grade Slump in Creativity”: Development of Creativity in Primary School Children Zohreh Darvishi#1, Shahla Pakdaman#2 #1 Department of Cognitive Sciences, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, #1 Department of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University #2 Department of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University Tehran-Iran 1 [email protected] 2 [email protected] studies on the subject and have given many definitions for creativity over the last decades. However, there has not been a fixed single one, there is one exclusive and common, in which most agree, i.e., creativity is the process of creating something novel, valuable, useful and generative" in [1-3] ". Regarding cognition, creativity has two important components, divergent thinking and problem solving which increase the person’s ability to adapt with the environment and the surrounding events "for example, see[4]".Divergent thinking is anecessary and measurable factor in creativity which occurs because of different and separate cognitive actions in brain " in [5,6] " and means that it enables the ability to create different and various ideas for solving a single problem (Runco, 1990, " as cited in [7] " ). Based on Guilford model " in [8] ", divergent thinking is divided into different cognitive components like fluency, i.e.,the ability to create several ideas and solutions, flexibility, i.e., the capability of an individual to transfer from one group or category to another, originality, i.e., the ability to create new, unique and unusual ideas for solving a problem which is different from the ordinary and routine ones and elaboration which means the ability to include the details and the meanings to the answers and creative ideas. Problem solving is considered creative (CPS), when the person is faced with ill-defined, illstructured or heuristic problems. Complexity of these cases is in a way that cannot be solved with just using convergent thinking. Several CPS models have been introduced and developed " for example, see[9,10]". Abstract- The aims of this study included the investigation of the developmental trend of creativity and its components (originality, fluency, flexibility and elaboration) in primary school children in the city of Tehran as well as the possibility of " Fourth grade slump in creativity". 400 children ( 200 males and 200 females ) were randomly selected by cluster sampling from 30 elementary schools of one educational region in Tehran. Data were gathered using TTCT-figural, form A and were analysed using two-way ANOVA, Trend analysis, repeated measure ANOVA and planned tests. Findings and results showed that developmental trend of creativity is a function of third degree. Creativity scores increase from grade one to grade three, then decrease with a sharp slope between the third and fourth grade and increase again in fifth grade. There was no significant difference in development of creativity between two genders. however, a significant difference was found between boys and girls. The main component of developmental changes in creativity in both girls and boys, was elaboration. It seems that creativity in primary school children follows a developmental course and the variations of scores specific to elaboration. Keywords- creativity slump, developmental trend, elaboration, flexibility, fluency, originality I. INTRODUCTION Researchers on creativity domain, especially psychologists, have done numerous and extensive DOI: 10.5176/2251-2853_1.2.34 1 40 © 2012 GSTF GSTF International Journal of Law and Social Sciences (JLSS) Vol.1 No.2, July 2012 One of the issues that creativity researchers pay attention to is developmental trend of creativity. The researchers, who reported discontinuity in creativity development, have shown that as time passes some growth and drop periods happen in creativity development "in[11-14]".Torrance (1968) following a longitudinal study, realized that the highest creativity drop in elementary school children happens at around the age of 9 and after passing a period of stagnation and as reaching to teenage period, the decline is decreased gradually. This phenomenon is called “Fourth grade slump in creativity”. Other studies also mentioned the creativity decrease in this period " for example, see [15,16]". Divergent thinking components, as main and central core in creativity, have developmental trend including one or more drops. The number of studies showing the developmental trend of each component of creativity in children and teenagers separately is limited. But those few existing numbers show that the general creativity decline, correlates with decline in one or some of the divergent thinking components. Also the rate of decline in these components, according to gender, has been reported differently " for example, see [17] " . The issue of “ Fourth grade slump in creativity” which was first introduced by Torrance has been inspirational for many future researches in studying the developmental trend of creativity and some patterns and existing factors in the developmental trend of divergent thinking in different educational levels. Later, Torrance himself showed that these kinds of slumps in case of existence are curable and since they can occur because of the shortcomings and defects of educational system, with proper changing in this system they can be curable " in [18] ". Study of creativity development and recognition of possible slumps is considered important for psychologists because in addition to recognition of complex and multi-dimensional nature of creativity, a remarkable evaluation of educational barriers in classrooms and courses happens. The decrease in creativity can happen as a child’s response against environment, including educational environment, or personal experience. Therefore, the environments recognition and the child’s type of experience and the effort for the proper change of it can be effective in omitting the possible creativity slump " for example see [19] ". According to this, the main purpose of this study is to investigate the developmental trend of creativity and its components in primary school children in the city of Tehran as well as the possibility of existence the fourth grade slump in creativity. II. METHOD A. Participants 400 children (200 males and 200 females) were randomly selected by cluster sampling from 30 public elementary schools of Tehran, educational district 3. They were studying in all five grades in the academic year of 2010-2011. B. Apparatus and Procedure There are two types of Torrance Test for Creative Thinking (TTCT), figural and verbal, including two parallel forms of A and B, which are of the most efficient and important standardized tools for measuring creativity introduced by Torrance(1966) and has been renormalized in 1974, 1984, 1990 and 1998 respectively " in [20] ". The TTCT figural, form A (Torrance, 1974) has been used in this research " in [21] ". This pen and paper-based test evaluates four main cognitive components of creativity: a) originality b) fluency c) flexibility and d) elaboration and it contains 3 ten-minute assignments: making picture, completing picture, incorporating parallel lines in order to draw picture. Each assignment will be scored for originality andelaboration, but the two assignments (completing picture and incorporating parallel lines in order to draw picture) will be scored for fluency and flexibility as well. As stated in TTCT manuals of 1966 and 1974, the test–retest reliability coefficients have ranged from 0.50 to 0.93. Interpreter reliability for the TTCTfigural Manual of 1990 among the scorers was greater than 0.90. As reported by TTCT-figural Manual of 1998, the reliability estimates of the creative index from Kuder–Richardson 21 using 99th percentile scores as the estimates of the number of items ranged between 0.89 and 0.94"as cited in [20] ". Khaefi (1993, "as cited in [22] ") measured the reliability of the Iranian version of the TTCTfigural form A and form B. He reported the testretest reliability of TTCT-figural form B components as: fluency (0.78), elaboration (0.91), flexibility (0.81), originality (0.74) and overall test score (0.80). In this research, selected students in each grade were tested individually as well as in group. TTCT-figural form A was done in about 3035 minutes in each class. III.FINDINGS AND RESULTS Descriptive results for all grades' scores on the TTCT, according to gender are shown in Table 1. The highest mean cretivity score in both females (M=181.1, SD=32.45) and males (M=162.5, SD=32.95) are of the third grade. Ignoring the 2 41 © 2012 GSTF GSTF International Journal of Law and Social Sciences (JLSS) Vol.1 No.2, July 2012 gender variable, the highest mean in overall creativity score can be seen in the third grade )M=172.1, SD=33.91) . Considering the data, it can be observed that the developmental trend of creativity in both genders, first had a rising trend and it increases to the third grade. It sees a decline in fourth grade and then in fifth grade starts increasing again. Table 2 shows the results of the two-way ANOVA for creativity scores accroding to gender and grade. Since the interaction between gender and grade had no significant effect (p=0/265>0/05) in creativity scores, developmental trend of creativity is examined only according to grade. Accroding to table 3, first, second and fourth degree models are not fit with the data and developmental trend of creativity is a function of third degree. Diagram 1 shows data fitting with third degree model accroding to gender and grade. Accroding to tables 2 and 3 as well as diagram 1, creativity in fourth grade, both in females and males, faces a sharp slump and it increases in fifth grade. Based on the information in table 4, the interaction between gender and third and fourth grade has no significant effect (p=0/714>0/05) in the amount of creativity slump. Since the tables and diagram show a decrease of total score of creativity in fourth grade, the obtained results of a more accurate study of the the process of developmental trend of creativity factors is reported. Table 5 shows results of two-way ANOVA for the fluency accroding to gender and grade and illustrates the fact that the interaction between gender and grade is significant (p=0/006<0/05). Table 6 shows that there is a significant difference between two genders on the developmental trend of fluency component. Results from the two-way ANOVA for the flexibility component accroding to gender and grade show that interaction of gender and grade is significant in thedevelopmental trend of flexibility component (p=0/01< 0/05). Therefore, ANOVA and Trend analysis are also calculated for both genders. The results of ANOVA according to gender separation is shown in table 7. Table 8 shows the results of two-way ANOVA for the originality component according to gender and grade. Based on table 8, the interaction between gender and grade does not make a significant difference (p=0/097>0/05) in developmental trend of originality component. As a result, two-way ANOVA was done without considering gender, only according to grade and showed the developmental trend of originality component has a function of third degree (p=0/827>0/05 ). It means that the higher grade goes, the more originality component increases, but it changes direction in the course of transition. Table 9 shows the results of two-way ANOVA for the elaboration component according to gender and grade. It shows that interaction between gender and grade does not make a significant difference (p=0/325>0/05). As a result, two-way ANOVA was done without considering gender and only accroding to the grades and the outcome showed that if (α =0/05) is considered, none of the models have fitting, but if (α=0/01) is considered the third degree model has fitting (p=0/029>0/01). To examine the difference between the developmental trend of different creativity components ANOVA with repeated measures was used. According to table 10, interaction between creativity components and grade is significant (p>0/001> 0/05) which means that the developmental ternd of creativity components are different. Based on table 10 and diagram 2, the main factor for major creativity transitional changes in every gender of elementary school children is elaboration component. Iv.CONCLUSIONS The obtained results from the current study show that the development of creativity in elementary school children has an uneven trend. Children’s creativity has an upward trend until third grade of elementary school and then reaching fourth grade it faces a slump and in fourth grade we observe the highest rate of creativity slump in both females and males. Then reaching fifth grade creativity increases in both genders. Students’ experiences are not merely gained at school and cognitive, social and cultural factors can be influential on students’ creativity.As researchers beleives " for example see [23] " some of these factors include cognitive factors (e.g., thinking, attention and memory), motivational factors (e.g., encouragement of students’ innovation and curiosity), social factors (e.g., the freedom of speech ability, compatibility with others, avoid destructive criticism and pay attention to children without comparing them to other peers), and personality factors (lack of adherence and compatibility with others, being risk-taking and the ability to be open to new experiences). Specifically, creativity researchers have shown that in order to present a creative work, presence of some personality traits such as independence, confidence, ability to self expression, stating creative ideas and not following others are essential " for example see [24, 25] ". Therefore, it seems that to know and explain the developmental trend of creativity in primary school children and the 3 42 © 2012 GSTF GSTF International Journal of Law and Social Sciences (JLSS) Vol.1 No.2, July 2012 creativity slump in fourth grade better, it is necessary to consider all the above-mentioned factors. As a result, researchers explain the fourth grade slump according to educational and social system when students enter school they experience it. Torrance (1970, " as cited in [18]" ) believes that having a more organized and more official educational system in the middle years of elementary school causes less attention to imagination and creativity of the child which has a fundamental role in creative thinking. Torrance also believes that being put in a peer competitive atmosphere makes students’ interest towards providing creative abilities decrease. To Gardner’s point of view (1982," as cited in [25] ") the realistic increase of children following their entrance to higher educational levels and for their more awareness of social rules happens, their mental representations to the world change and head towards objectivity. This matter can cause a decline in their creativity. It limits the opportunities to create and set the effective educational methods on creativity. The most popular and useful theory is discontinuity in creativity theory that has been presented by Runco (1999-2007, " as cited in [26] ") . This theory has compatibility with Kohlberg stage theory. According to this, with children’s entrance from preconventionl stage to conventional stage and the pressure from conformity with social norms and following other’s opinions, uncustomary ideas and thoughts, not only will not be encouraged, but will also be clearly prevented and stopped. This is when presenting uncustomary and unusual ideas is vital for creative thinking. Yet, Runco " in [27] " emphasizes on children’s brain transition at this time. He believes at 9 or 10 the nervous system reaches a point in growth and maturity which causes children to be sensitive about conventional rules and individual abilities and it made them enter the conventional stage and caused the occurrence of a slump in their creativity in fourth grade. Another important finding in this study is that there was no significant difference in development of creativity between two genders. Since the general slump of creativity in both genders was accompanied by a decrease in almost all of the creativity components, it seems that the same educational system governing both male and female elementary school children is the main reason for this result. Also, the elaboration factor in this study is the main factor for developmental changes in both males and females. According to the creativity researchers based on creativity stage models and physiologic models of creativity " for example see [28] " and also according to the accepted meaning of creativity, in which the creative product must be useful and beneficial, the creative person should be able to present the final creative idea. For this reason, the elaboration stage may be the most important stage in production of creative product . Without passing this stage the creative idea cannot be credited. Therefore the rate of usefulness and practicality will not be considered and it is possible that despite creating unique and valuable idea, the social and cultural value of it is lost and never be recognized. Thus; it is essential and necessary for the educational system, families and founders of propagating creative culture especially in the area of the fourth grade creativity decline to pay attention to the recognition and training of the elaboration component in children. ACKNOWLEDGMENT Z. Darvishi and Sh. Pakdaman would like to thank all teachers and students of educational district 3 in Tehran who participated in this research. 4 43 © 2012 GSTF GSTF International Journal of Law and Social Sciences (JLSS) Vol.1 No.2, July 2012 Table 1. means and standard deviation of TTCT scores according to gender and grade gender grade M S.D first 109.8 36.56 second 132.6 44.77 third 181.8 32.45 fourth 164.8 25.95 fifth 179.9 42.86 total 153.8 46.38 first 104.1 38.86 second 133.5 38.37 third 162.5 32.95 fourth 149.4 39.10 fifth 157.7 42.02 total 141.4 43.48 first 106.9 37.60 second 133.1 41.43 third 172.1 33.91 fourth 157.1 33.881 fifth 168.8 43.62 total 147.6 45.32 female male total Table 2. Two-way ANOVA in creativity according to gender and grade source df SS gender 1 15202/8 202/8 10/65 .001 grade 4 240409/7 60102/4 42/11 .000 interaction between gender and grade 4 7490/9 1872/73 1/31 .265 error 390 556552/6 total 399 MS F Sig 1427/05 819656/1 Table 3. summary of the Trend analysis of developmental trend of creativity Model observed contrast the expected amount based on null hypothesis difference between the observed amountand expected amount S.D first degree 46/710 Sig 0 46/71 4/22 >.001 second degree -22/180 0 -22/18 4/22 >.001 third degree 4/34 0 0 4/34 4/22 .030 fourth degree 17/660 0 17/66 4/22 >.001 5 44 © 2012 GSTF GSTF International Journal of Law and Social Sciences (JLSS) Vol.1 No.2, July 2012 gender Male The mean of creativity scores Female grade Diagram 1. data fitting with third degree model according to gender and grade Table 4. summary of two-way ANOVA for creativty according to gender and third and fourthgrades source df SS MS F Sig gender 1 12058/25 12058/25 11/107 .001 grade 1 9015/00 9015/00 8/304 .005 interaction between gender and grade 1 146/30 146/30 0/135 0/714 error 156 169364/52 1085/67 total 159 190584/09 Table 5.summary of two-way ANOVA for the fluency component accroding to gender and grade source df SS gender 1 23/04 grade 4 interaction between gender and grade 4 error 390 total 399 MS F Sig 23/04 0/895 0/345 3090/24 772/56 30/00 >0/001 378/71 94/67 10043/2 25/75 3/677 0/006 13535/19 Table 6. summary of analysis of one-way variance for the fluency component based on gender and grade separation gender male female source df grade 4 error 195 total 199 grade SS MS F 1331.280 332.820 12.314 4 2137.670 534.418 21.835 error 195 4772.725 24.476 total 199 Sig >0/001 > 0/001 6910.395 6 45 © 2012 GSTF GSTF International Journal of Law and Social Sciences (JLSS) Vol.1 No.2, July 2012 Table 7. summary of one-way ANOVA for the flexibility component according to grade and gender separation gender male female source df SS MS F 7.815 > 0/001 19.248 > 0/001 grade 4 590.630 147.658 error 195 3684.325 18.894 total 199 4274.955 grade 4 1285.470 321.368 error 195 3255.725 16.696 total 199 4541.195 Sig Table 8. summary of two-way ANOVA for the originality component according to gender and grade source df SS gender 1 588/06 grade 4 12795/86 interaction between gender and grade MS 4 874/32 error 390 43020/12 total 399 57278/37 F Sig 588/06 5/33 0/021 3198/96 29 218/58 > 0/001 1/98 0/097 110/30 Table 9. summary of two-way ANOVA for the elaboration component according to gender and grade source df SS MS F gender 1 9034/50 9034/50 17/86 grade 4 82688/21 interaction between gender and grade 4 2357/83 589/45 error 390 197203/92 505/65 total 399 20672/05 40/88 1/16 Sig > 0/001 > 0/001 0/325 Table 10. summary of ANOVA with repeated measures according to developmental trend of components and grade source df SS MS type of component 1/23 798318/205 interaction between the component and grade 4/95 40109/526 8100/345 488/96 125891/269 257/463 error 644899/448 F Sig 2504/826 > 0/001 31/462 > 0/001 7 46 © 2012 GSTF GSTF International Journal of Law and Social Sciences (JLSS) Vol.1 No.2, July 2012 elaboration originality fluency flexibility grade Diagram 2.developmental trend of creativity components according to grade [11] E. 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She obtained a B.Sc degree in computer engineering from Mashhad Universtity, Iran and followed her gradguate studies for getting M.Sc in philosophy of science (Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran ), M.Sc in cognitive science ( Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran) and Ph.D in psychology ( Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran). Her major field of study is cognitive psychology and now, she focuses on creativity and critical thinking. [22] A. S. Hosseiniand A. P. Watt, “The effect of a teacher professional development in facilitating student’ creativity, ”Educational Research and Reviews,5(8), pp. 432-438, 2010. [23] A. Y. Wang,“ Contexts of Creative Thinking: A Comparison on Creative Performance of Student Teachers in Taiwan and the United States, ”Journal of International and Cross-Cultural Studies, 2, 1, pp. 1- 14, 2011. [24] Z. Ivcevic and J. D. 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