Critical realism describes concepts regarding the ability of human beings to learn without encountering interference from factors that influence human perceptions. The evaluation of reality and knowledge requires a critical reflection on ideas and concepts while identifying elements that hamper human perceptions.
In this regard, a critical realist must acknowledge the independent existence of an idea or concept. Realism is separate from human perceptions and thus is evident in observable situations. The scope of critical realism limits its impact in the evaluation of the certainty regarding future situations. Therefore, critical realism describes current and past human experiences.
The measurement of the rate of creativity in a task uses three major indices. Analyzing the fluency, flexibility and originality in a task provide an overview of the ideas generated by a team, and the uniqueness of solutions to problems. The analysis of fluency entails determining the number of suggestions a group generates in response to a problem (Thompson 258).
Analyzing fluency in creative thinking largely focuses on the quantity of ideas that a group generates. An individual or group that cannot generate numerous ideas regarding a task has a low probability of sustaining flexibility and originality in tackling a problem. The analysis of flexibility involves the identification of the frequency with which attempts by an individual or group to solve a problem shifts between different solutions.
The level of originality in a task describes the number of unique ideas an individual or group generates in response to a problem. The measurement of creativity considers factors that are relevant to the goals and objectives of a task. Thus, irrespective of the level of fluency, flexibility and originality exhibited during a task, the process of determining the rate of creativity ignores ideas and concepts that do not rate to the scope of a task (Ransdell 47).
The scope of measuring creativity considers whether a task requires convergent or divergent thinking. Analyzing creativity in convergent thinking focuses on diverse ideas and concepts that provide an answer. On the other hand, analyzing divergent thinking emphasizes on the possible solutions to a problem. The rate of creativity depends on a group’s ability to use exploitation and exploration skills in identifying solutions to problems.
The attainment and sustenance of creativity in a team face numerous challenges due to factors such as social loafing, conformity and production blocking. Social loafing describes the tendency by group members to input little effort in tasks that require collaboration between people in a group unlike in the case whereby the assignment of tasks occurs on an individual basis (Shih 26).
An example of social loafing is employees who hardly contribute any suggestions to the writing of a new employees’ manual although they input great efforts in individual tasks within an organization. Conforming threatens creativity when individuals in a group develop notions that other group members may criticize their suggestions.
In this regard, the rate of creativity declines due to low levels of participation. An example of conforming is the acceptance of suggestions by group members without seeking clarification on ideas or solutions that an individual opposes. Production blocking induces convergent thinking and performance due to the inhibition of ideas and suggestions of group members. An example of production blocking is the inability by people in a group to make suggestions because a group member is contributing ideas or suggestions about a task.
Works Cited
Ransdell, Marlo. “Designscholar: Examining creative thinking in an online learning community for interior design graduate students.” ProQuest. n.p., 2009. Web. <udini.proquest.com/view/designscholar-examining-creative- pqid:1918600981/>.
Thompson, Leigh L. Making the team: a guide for managers. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2008. Print.
Shih, Patrick C. “Brainstorming Beyond the Laboratory: Idea Generation Practices in Software Development Firms.” ProQuest. n.p., 2011. Web. <udini.proquest.com/view/brainstorming-beyond-the-laboratory- pqid:2564569461/>.