The structure of the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking-Figural in spanish-speaking children: a confirmatory factor-analytic study

Abstract

One of the most common and worldwide instruments used to assess creativity is the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT). In spite of the fact that this test has been studied for years, research conducted in relation to its validity is contradictory. Some authors, following the theory proposed by Kirton, have suggested the existence of two factors: Innovation and Adaptation, which might explain operationalized creativity for the Figural TTCT. The Innovation factor would be composed by the scales of Fluency and Originality and the Adaptation factor would be composed by the scales of Elaboration and Abstractness of Title. The scale of Resistance to Premature Closure of the Figural TTCT would be present in the two factors (Kim, 2006; Kim, Cramond and Bandalos, 2007). Prior parents authorization and informed concept, the Figural TTCT, form B, was administered to 577 children in 10 school of the cities of Libertador San Martín, Crespo, Diamante and Paraná in the province of Entre Ríos, Argentina. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to assess three theoretical models: 1. one-factor model, 2. Correlated two-factor model, 3. Uncorrelated two-factor model. The most satisfactory adjustment CFA identified two correlated factors: Innovation and Adaptation. These results are in line with previous studies that suggest a multidimensional structure of the creativity construct assessed by the Figural TTCT.