Result: Introducing the fusion innovation test as a new paradigm for studying realworld creative problem solving.

Title:
Introducing the fusion innovation test as a new paradigm for studying realworld creative problem solving.
Authors:
Wu CT; International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.; Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.; Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA., Kern FB; International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan., Su YS; International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan., Street M; International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan., Chao ZC; International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. zenas.c.chao@gmail.com.
Source:
Scientific reports [Sci Rep] 2025 Dec 23; Vol. 15 (1), pp. 44394. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Dec 23.
Publication Type:
Journal Article
Language:
English
Journal Info:
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101563288 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2045-2322 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 20452322 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Sci Rep Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s):
Original Publication: London : Nature Publishing Group, copyright 2011-
MeSH Terms:
Problem Solving*/physiology , Creativity*, Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Thinking
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Grant Information:
KAKENHI 23K10397 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
Contributed Indexing:
Keywords: Alternative uses test; Creative achievement questionnaire; Creative problem-solving; Fusion innovation test; Kaufman domains of creativity scale; Real-world creativity
Entry Date(s):
Date Created: 20251223 Date Completed: 20251223 Latest Revision: 20251226
Update Code:
20251226
PubMed Central ID:
PMC12727754
DOI:
10.1038/s41598-025-28134-y
PMID:
41436751
Database:
MEDLINE

Further Information

Studying creative problem-solving requires tasks with real-world relevance and minimal domain-specific knowledge. The widely used alternative uses test (AUT) meets these criteria but primarily measures divergent thinking-generating many ideas without immediate judgment. However, creative problem-solving also requires convergent thinking to narrow down options and select the most effective solution. We introduce the fusion innovation test (FIT), a task that integrates both divergent and convergent thinking. In the FIT, participants combine two randomly assigned elements (e.g., objects or technologies) to achieve either a self-improvement goal or a sustainable development goal. Each FIT solution is evaluated based on the novelty and feasibility of combining the elements, and the effectiveness in achieving the intended goal. We collected behavioral data from 144 participants and used ratings from 122 human evaluators to train an automated scoring system based on a large language model. Participants also completed the AUT and two real-life creativity questionnaires. Results show that the FIT captures a unique aspect of creativity-goal-directed innovation-not assessed by the AUT. Moreover, FIT performance correlates with scientific creativity, whereas AUT performance aligns more with artistic creativity. These findings suggest that the FIT is an initially promising and complementary tool for studying real-world creative problem-solving.
(© 2025. The Author(s).)

Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.