Debate Reflection: Should Creativity be Used in Admissions?

Hi All,

After a riveting debate in my PSY327 class concerning creativity in admissions decisions, I came to the following personal conclusion: We all evaluate someones merits when interviewing them. Just because I actually don't test a persons creativity doesn't mean I'm not subconsciously assessing it. Suppose I had a applicant come in and he described himself as a in-the-box thinker, then I would likely develop a immediate bias against him. So then I thought, then perhaps its to the benefit of the institution to test creativity too remove bias? Two problems with that: 1) All test have bias to them 2) Creativity it not equally important for all majors. So then perhaps for the admissions process tests could be given to fit a certain intended major. The Affirmative team used the example that accounting probably requires less creativity than theater so acting majors should be subject to creativity tests. The issue then is how do you deal with changes in majors? Would the student have to reapply to the college? Of course not! Here is my solution: Have applicants be tested for competences that are specific to college! For instance: Evaluate motivation! This can probably be done via a simple assessment. What are your thoughts? How do you think you would do on a test of motivation? What other factors could be tested? Love to hear your thoughts!

Until my next post,

Ryan

Creative Panel Reflection

Hi All,

This past week in PSY327 we had Dr. Greenberg and Dr. RohrKemper come to our class and discuss creativity! I must say--I was impressed with both of their enthusiasm throughout the discussion. However, I was surprised how little they previously philosophized over the concept of creativity. From Dr. Greenbergs  comments it seemed apparent that he considered creativity as a product based entity. But throughout the talk he mentioned how looking at creativity as a process was appealing to him. Dr. RohrKemper seemed to think more deeply about creativity, likely because of the nature of his work.

This discussion perfectly illustrates how the actual philosophy and science of creativity can be included in a variety of fields. I feel that studying the process of creativity in isolation would immensely benefit students of a given field. I would love to follow up with our two speakers and see if their new outlook on the creative process has benefited their work or altered the way they approach teaching their classes.

Questions: Would you prefer if a professor taught creativity in the context of their subject? If so, how much of a course should be dedicated to this? Should a student be graded on their creative product?

Until my next post,

Ryan          

Mcarthur Genius Grant

Hi All,

Today, I'm blogging about Lee Ann Newsom, the recipient of the 2002 Mcarthur Genius Grant. She studies the evolutionary biology of plants (paleoethnobotanist) in the context of the Caribbean, Did the tobacco mosaic virus cause the drastic increase in conifer growth 3000 years ago? Or was it because of the harsh flood? She would not only have to use the paleontological evidence to combine a vision of the ancestral Caribbean plant flora, but also develop reasonable explanatory hypotheses that would match these observations. This is not only creativity, but its problem solving with creativity! This would allow you to practice your creativity but evaluate its plausibility. I feel she would otherwise be very creative in other fields due to how much she is practicing her creative process. Also, while reading her bio I noted that after her graduation from University of Florida, she acted as a curator at a archaeological which undoubtedly build her expertise. This would also be an advantage in terms of developing creativity.

Thinking about my own creativity and field of biology, I feel I have the capacity to be creative by virtue of my interests. Without my interests I would never have the chance to be creative. What do you feel could have been molding to a youth that grows up to receive this genius reward? What is unique about their disposition? Can this experience be systematized? Give me your thoughts!

Until my next post,

Ryan