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.

Author(s):

Mehdi Ghahremani
mghahrem@purdue.edu
Purdue University
United States

Mehdi Ghahremani is a doctoral candidate in Gifted, Creative, and Talented Studies, Purdue University. He worked for more than 10 years in Iranian gifted schools (NODET). Mehdi received his bachelor’s and first master’s degree in Physics. He received his second master’s in Education from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada. His research interests are talent development, critical thinking, creativity, and STEM. Mehdi does research in exploring ways to activate effective and productive modes of thinking, and ways to promote habits of mind associated with these modes of thoughts, especially in the context of STEM.