Guthrie's Investigation of the Creative Process

Guthrie's Investigation of the Creative Process studied how people create new ideas and solve problems. He believed creativity involves a series of structured steps: initially, exposing oneself to diverse experiences and knowledge (“getting set”), then allowing the subconscious mind to work through ideas (“inkling”), followed by actively exploring solutions (“illumination”), and finally refining and implementing the best idea (“verification”). Guthrie emphasized that creativity is not just spontaneous but can be encouraged through deliberate preparation, experimentation, and reflection, helping individuals develop innovative solutions systematically.