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5.7.1 Applying Sternberg’s Theory of Mental Self-Government to Explore Creative and Critical Thinking
Although creative and critical thinking often seem to be interconnected modes of thought, some scholars have claimed that they are opposites. The purpose of this exploratory study was to explore dimensions of critical thinking and creative thinking through the lens of Sternberg’s theory of mental self-government. Our participants were 62 experts in the field of gifted education. The paired-sample design was applied. Applying the Threefold Model of Intellectual Styles as a theoretical framework, our paired-sample analyses provide evidence of differences in these experts’ views. Exploratory factor analysis techniques resulted in a two-factor model for critical thinking and a three-factor model for creative thinking.