Bachelor's research
COMBINED EFFECT OF PSYCHODYNAMIC AND COGNITIVE TECHNIQUES TO INCREASE CREATIVITY (VERBAL COMPONENT)
Creativity is one of the features that define us as human beings. While in the XX century creativity was studied as a cognitive property of the human mind, it can also be seen as an emergent property of our mental system. This could explain why it has been difficult to improve it using only cognitive techniques. Hypothesis: creativity can be improved if we simultaneously improve our cognitive, emotional and physiological states. Objective: to promote the development of creativity in students from underserved populational groups through a workshop.
|
Methods. A systemic Thinking approach was used to integrate physiological, cognitive and psychodynamic principles that related to creativity. The 7-session workshop aimed to improve focus, self-confidence and inter hemispheric coordination while using cognitive strategies for creativity. 30 full-time working high school students from low-income strata were randomly allocated to control and experimental condition. Creativity was measured pre and post experiment through a validated translation of the Torrance Test (verbal fluidity and flexibility). Results. There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.01) in both fluidity and originality scores between pre-test and posttest in the experimental group. Conclusions. The workshop seems to have increase an objective measure of creativity. This supports the integrative approach used to develop the workshop. Although not conclusive, observations of student development also suggest an increase in self-confidence regarding their intellectual capacity.
Team: Victor Villalobos (thesis author), Patricia Paz de Buen, Lilian Dabdoub, Yolanda Bernal (thesis committee).
Technology/ Methods: Cognitive Psychology, Suggestopedia, Mindmaps.
Outcomes:
Team: Victor Villalobos (thesis author), Patricia Paz de Buen, Lilian Dabdoub, Yolanda Bernal (thesis committee).
Technology/ Methods: Cognitive Psychology, Suggestopedia, Mindmaps.
Outcomes:
- Scientific presentation at Berkeley Education Day, 2014.
- Method for training and human capacity building, used for a startup (HumanSoft, Canada & México)