BREADTH OF THE WILD: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DIVERSE EXPERIENCES, ANALOGY USAGE, AND CREATIVE PERFORMANCE

Abstract

A significant amount of anecdotal and theoretical evidence suggests breadth of experience is an important variable for creative performance. The present study was the first to empirically examine this relationship. Breadth of experience was hypothesized to positively predict creative performance in a problem-solving task where participants provide solutions to one of three vignettes. This relationship was hypothesized to occur via a mediated model, where breadth of experience impacts creative performance through usage of analogies. Lastly, depth of experience was posited to moderate the relationship between breadth of experience and usage of analogies. A measure of breadth of experience was developed and tested within the present study. Breadth of experience was shown to negatively predict creative performance. No support was found for mediation of analogy usage, but analogy usage did positively predict creative performance. Support was found for the moderation of depth of experience on the relationship of breadth of experience to analogy usage. Overall, this study provides initial support for the relevance of breadth of experience as well as further replication for analogy usage’s importance on creative performance. Recommendations and future directions are provided.