A cognitive network model of creativity: a renewed focus on brainstorming methodology

Creativity is a vital component of problem solving, yet despite decades of creativity research, many of the techniques for increasing creative production still lack compelling theoretical and causal foundations. This paper defines a Cognitive Network Model, a causal model of creative solution generation for problem solving domains. This model is grounded in mechanisms of human cognition that are hypothesized to exist within all individuals, regardless of their intelligence level, socio-economic status, or other variable, personal attributes. Guided by the model, we outline a new Group Support System (GSS) based technique called directed brainstorming. We propose the Cognitive Network Model is useful for explaining the effectiveness of existing creativity techniques and may represent a basis from which new techniques and technologies for enhancing the creative output of problem solvers can be developed.