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Abstract

Higher performance of creative persons on the Barron-Welsh Art Scale is frequently cited to support the hypothesis that creative persons “prefer complexity.” This critical review examined the logic of the test's construction and other evidence. Complicating evidence included the following points. (1) Stimulus correlates of Barron-Welsh scores do not suggest only complexity. (2) Stimulus correlates which do not suggest complexity may predict preferences of creative persons as well as those which do. (3) Part of Barron-Welsh score variance which is unrelated to complexity best accounts for the test's association with creativity in architecture. (4) High scores may reflect rejection of conventionality rather than originality.

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Barron-Welsh Scores and Creativity: A Second Look

Abstract

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References