Creativity and future time perspective : an investigation of construct validity

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the cognitive dimensions of Creativity and Future Time Perspective (FTP). An attempt was made to integrate Guilford's cognitive model of creativity with Nurmi's problem solving model of FTP. The sample consisted of 135 female undergraduate students between the ages of 18 - 24 years. Creativity was measured using Guilford's Consequences, and FTP was measured using the Future Problem Solving Tasks (FPST) instrument. Creative thinking was assessed as the number of Obvious and Remote responses and the combined total of these responses (Fluency). Other variables measured were Length of Response Time, GPA and Perceived Likelihood of Event. Results show that Consequences and FPST were significantly correlated on all of the creativity variables considered. Creativity was found to be a stronger predictor of FTP than academic achievement. Remote scores on the Consequences was significantly correlated with GPA while the remote scores on the FPST was not; the Length of Response Time was positively correlated with FPST while likelihood of event was negatively correlated with FPST.