VOLUME LXVII | JUL 2022

Creative problem solving in knowledge-rich contexts

Just like a chef using different ingredients to create a new recipe, creative problem solving involves rearranging existing knowledge to tackle new challenges. In the world of research, the focus has been on exploring creativity by minimizing the role of knowledge. However, we believe that it’s time to broaden our perspective and embrace the wealth of knowledge in problem-solving scenarios. By studying novices and experts in specific domains, we can uncover how their creative thinking skills rely on leveraging their extensive knowledge. In particular, investigating how individuals transfer knowledge through creative analogies can shed light on real-world problem-solving strategies. This shift in focus opens up exciting opportunities to tap into the vast potential of knowledge-rich contexts for enhancing creative solutions.

Aiyana Tremblay

Aiyana is an Indigenous educator from Alberta, with a background in environmental science and community wellness programs. She volunteers as an author to explore how traditional knowledge intersects with modern neuroscience to unlock human resilience and potential.

Creative problem solving (CPS) in real-world contexts often relies on reorganization of existing knowledge to serve new, problem-relevant functions. However, classic creativity paradigms that minimize knowledge content are generally used to investigate creativity, including CPS. We argue that CPS research should expand consideration of knowledge-rich problem contexts, both in novices and experts within specific domains. In particular, paradigms focusing on creative analogical transfer of knowledge may reflect CPS skills that are applicable to real-world problem solving.
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