4.2.6 Cognitive Creative Processes (continued)

The second category of abilities relevant to creative ability is what Guilford termed "transformation abilities". These abilities enable the individual to transform or revise what one knows into new patterns or configurations. A flexibility to reorganize and break out of old sets is important here. The individual reorders, redefines, or reinterprets what is currently known. One sees a new solution to a problem that is different from the usual approach. Much of Guilford's research focuses on identifying cognitive processes that make up these two categories of abilities divergent thinking and transformation abilities and devising tests of these abilities.

Guilford conceptualized these abilities as cognitive abilities. Although he felt that personality characteristics were important to creativity, he believed that they were separate from these cognitive processes. However, recent research suggests that effective processes influence divergent thinking abilities and transformation abilities.