Creativity in design - General model and its verification

The general model of creativity in design is presented. Creativity is seen as a superordinate construct defined by three lower order constructs: (1) f lexibility, orginiality, and fluency of cognitive processes, (2) freedom an d orginality of personal expression, (3) autonomy of an axiologic system. T he model has been empirically verified in two domains where technological a nd social change is especially manifested: technical sciences and entrepren eurship. The first study has been devoted to the role of psychological fact ors of the creative problem-solving process in the engineering. sciences, a nd the second study to the psychological factors of the creative entreprene urship. The results obtained by especailly constructed techniques are prese nted and discussed, and the validity of the model is checked. (C) 2000 Else vier Science Inc.