Problem Finding and Divergent Thinking: A Multivariate Meta-Analysis

Problem finding (PF) and divergent thinking (DT) are essential components in most creative cognition models. Since the PF and DT literature has suggested that these two constructs are associated to some extent, the current study aimed to meta-analytically evaluate the relationship between the two. It also aimed to examine the performance differences between DT and PF. Regarding the association between PF and DT, a two-level multivariate model with 138 effect sizes from 24 studies and a total sample of 4,207 participants showed that the mean effect size was small to moderate, r = .290, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.230, 0.348], p < .001. The meta-regression analyses showed that only the year of publication was a significant moderator, with the relationship between the DT and PF being stronger in the recent studies compared to older studies, whereas the mean effect size did not vary by test type, index type, and participant and study characteristics. Concerning the difference in originality between the PF and DT tasks, 61 effect sizes from 10 studies with a total sample of 1,657 participants showed a large difference between DT and PF in favor of the latter, g = .887, 95% CI [0.523, 1.252], p < .001. In other words, PF tasks elicited more original responses compared with DT tasks. None of the moderators were significant. Limitations, implications, and future directions are discussed.