A study in problem solving in the engineering sciences

Abstract

This study investigated the link between creative thought and intuition. These concepts were defined in terms of two psychometric tests used to measure personality and interest. The two tests used were the 19 Field Interest Inventory (19FII) and the Jung Personality Questionnaire (JPQ). Intuition was measured on a continuum in terms of Jung’s conceptualisation of intuition- sensation. Creative thought was conceived as both a cognitive and an unconscious process. The research was quantitative in nature. A comparison was done between the scores obtained on the personality questionnaire (JPQ) and the interest inventory (19FII) in order to determine if there was a link between intuition and creative thought. These results were inconclusive. Thereafter the study investigated whether the subjects enrolled for an engineering degree who used intuition as their dominant auxiliary function performed well in a course designed to promote creative thought. The results were inconclusive and this might be due to the small sample group and numerous variables that were not controlled.