Question 1

You have been hired by the local high school to help increase the creativity of students.A sophomore tells you he doesn't need help because he is already highly creative.He says school is a waste of time because "you don't need knowledge to be creative." What would you tell him?

Accepted Answer

Knowledge can provide a foundation for creative thinking by providing a bank of information and ideas to draw upon. Without knowledge of different perspectives, techniques, and materials, creativity can be limited to what one already knows. Additionally, knowledge can inspire new ideas and ways of thinking, allowing for a greater range of creative possibilities. Thus, while creativity does not solely rely on knowledge, it can be enhanced and supported by it.

Question 2

Which investors typically take a stake in a business venture?

Accepted Answer

Venture capitalists typically take a stake in a business venture. Banks and credit unions may provide loans or other financial services to businesses, but they do not typically take an ownership stake. Commercial banks may also provide loans but are not typically involved in equity investments in small businesses.

Question 3

The American writer,F.Scott Fitzgerald,said that a truly great creative mind is capable of holding two opposing views of a subject at the same time and is still able to function.Was Fitzgerald correct?

Accepted Answer

Fitzgerald's statement highlights the ability of a great creative mind to hold multiple, sometimes contradictory, ideas simultaneously. This allows for a broader perspective and the ability to see connections and possibilities that may not be apparent to others. Therefore, embracing paradoxical ideas can actually enhance creativity.

Question 4

How many new businesses typically fail in the first two years?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How many new businesses typically fail in...

Question 5

Tessa is a high school senior.She is overwhelmed with tests and applications.Tessa claims that she was creative in elementary school,but the older she gets the less creative she feels.What should you tell her?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that people don't achieve full creative capacity until they are in their 20s, when the prefrontal cortex is fully matured. Therefore, Tessa's feeling of decreased creativity may be more related to the overwhelming stress of being a high school senior, rather than a decline in her creative abilities as she gets older. Tessa should try to find ways to manage her stress and create opportunities for herself to pursue her creative interests outside of school.

Question 6

Which of the following does NOT support a creative organizational culture?

Accepted Answer

Top-down management typically stifles creativity and innovation as it limits the flow of ideas and decision-making power to upper management. Creative organizational cultures are typically characterized by flattened hierarchies and empowered individuals at all levels of the organization.

Question 7

Intellectual property is ________.

Accepted Answer

Intellectual property is property that consists of an idea or process, such as inventions, literary or artistic works, designs, symbols, names, and images used in commerce. It is intangible and cannot be physically owned or possessed, but it can be protected through various legal mechanisms such as patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets.

Question 8

Which key advantages does mind mapping have over taking notes?

Accepted Answer

Mind mapping is neither linear nor chronological, allowing for a more flexible and creative approach to organizing information compared to traditional note-taking methods.

Question 9

A colleague suggests that creativity can be improved by adopting a zero-tolerance for mistakes in creative projects and endeavors.Will this suggestion work?

Accepted Answer

Mistakes are an essential part of the creative process because they allow for experimentation and iteration, which often lead to breakthrough ideas. Adopting a zero-tolerance for mistakes can create a high-pressure environment that may stifle creativity and discourage risk-taking. Therefore, it is important to tolerate mistakes and embrace them as learning opportunities in the creative process.

Question 10

Josh has written six novels.None have been published and he's become bitter.Over drinks at a bar,Josh tells you that many great writers were alcoholics and depressives - so he sees no need to adopt a positive outlook on life.What's your advice for him?

Accepted Answer

While it is true that some great writers have struggled with mental health issues, research suggests that a positive outlook on life and high self-esteem are more likely to correlate with creativity. Encourage Josh to seek professional help for any bitterness or depression he may be experiencing and to continue honing his craft in a healthy way.

Question 11

What organizational dynamic can stifle innovation?

Accepted Answer

Bureaucracy can stifle innovation by creating rigid and slow-moving structures that hinder creativity and decision making. The hierarchical nature and strict rules can discourage risk-taking and experimentation, leading to a lack of innovation within the organization.

Question 12

A good friend is having relationship problems.When you coach and counsel her,which of the following are you using?

Accepted Answer

Coaching and counseling a friend through relationship problems involves deliberate intention to help and relies on emotional insight, making the processing mode deliberate and the knowledge domain emotional.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a creative benefit of encouraging an open debate about an organizational challenge?

Accepted Answer

Encouraging an open debate helps to break down cognitive barriers and allows assumptions to be challenged, which can lead to the generation of new and creative ideas. However, it does not enhance the passive nature of brainstorming, as brainstorming is already an active and collaborative process.

Question 14

Your friend Carmen's creativity seminar leader seems to reward her only when she challenges common assumptions and conventional wisdom.Yet Carmen worries that challenging assumptions is rude.What should you tell her?

Accepted Answer

Challenging assumptions is not necessarily rude, and it can be a way to generate new and innovative ideas. As long as Carmen is respectful in her approach and open to feedback, there is nothing wrong with questioning commonly held beliefs. It is important to remember that creativity often requires stepping outside of established norms and exploring new perspectives. Therefore, Carmen should continue to challenge assumptions as a way to foster creative thinking.

Question 15

How does Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi suggest that you can improve your creativity?

Accepted Answer

Csikszentmihalyi suggests that to improve creativity, one should aim to surprise at least one person. This means generating novel and innovative ideas that will catch others off guard and challenge their expectations. Ignoring surprise or trying not to be surprised does not encourage creative thinking, and trying not to surprise too many people may limit the potential impact of one's creative ideas. Therefore, the best choice is C.

Question 16

Which statement best expresses Csikszentmihalyi's view of ideas?

Accepted Answer

Csikszentmihalyi's view is that the best ideas are unlikely ideas, as they require more creativity and originality than ideas that are more likely or conventional. He argues that these unlikely ideas are the ones that lead to breakthroughs and innovation.

Question 17

Which of the following does NOT fit the framework of cognitive flexibility?

Accepted Answer

Certainty does not require cognitive flexibility as it implies a fixed and unchanging belief or knowledge. Cognitive flexibility involves the ability to adjust and adapt to new information or perspectives, which is not necessary when one is certain about something.

Question 18

To promote creativity within an organization,managers should try to obtain a ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of To promote creativity within an organization,managers should...

Question 19

Your niece,Shelly,tells you that creativity is fine for artists and writers,but she plans to be a doctor or nurse and they don't need to be creative.What should you tell her?

Accepted Answer

While medicine may seem like a field that requires strict adherence to protocols, there are often situations where doctors and nurses need to think creatively in order to solve problems or come up with new treatments. For example, a doctor may need to think creatively when diagnosing a rare or complex condition, while a nurse may need to come up with creative solutions to help a patient who is in pain or struggling emotionally. In addition, there are many areas of medicine, such as medical research, where creativity is highly valued. Therefore, it is important for individuals in the medical field to develop their creative thinking skills, even if they don't work in a traditionally "creative" profession.

Question 20

Which statement summarizes Csikszentmihalyi's view of complexity?

Accepted Answer

Csikszentmihalyi believes that to maintain enjoyment in an activity, it is necessary to increase its complexity. He argues that engaging in activities that are too simple can lead to boredom, while those that are too complex can lead to anxiety or frustration. Therefore, finding the right balance of challenge and skill is important for achieving a state of flow in which one is deeply focused and fully engaged in the activity.

Quiz 8: Workplace Essentials: Creativity,innovation,and a Spirit of Entrepreneurship