The Application of the Chinese Version of Remote Associates Tests in Creativity Research: A Review and Prospect

Abstract

Creativity has been one of the focuses of educational research. The Remote Associates Test (RAT) is a valid measurement to evaluate the effect of creativity training. Because of its objective scoring, short completion time required, and relatively simple question preparation, RAT has been adopted in Chinese creativity research for almost 20 years. This study integrates the literature and is divided into four parts: development and comparison of different versions, the exploration of the problem-solving process, factors related to remote association, and effectiveness of different interventions. The results show that the Chinese version of RAT was developed in three levels: radical, character, and word. Behavioral and neuroscience research indicates that the problem-solving process must be dynamic and flexible, and that manipulating internal or external influences can improve associative ability. Suggestions for teaching practices include assessing students’ creativity with the RAT, creating a safe environment, training divergent and convergent thinking, and thinking outside the box. The present study provides a comprehensive framework for the development and application of the Chinese versions of the RAT, methods to evaluate students’ creativity, and proposes a scope for future research to examine creativity theory.

Keywords

• creativity
• creative thinking teaching
• insight problem
• mandarin
• remote associates test