Forecasting Errors in Creative Problem-Solving: Deliberating about the Future

Abstract

There are a number of key processes involved in creative thought, giving rise to the potential for errors to occur. Error management training has been shown to be more effective than error avoidance, suggesting the need for research on error management in creative problem-solving. In the present effort, we examined the impact of forecasting timeframe, forecasting extensiveness, and deliberation on errors on creative problem-solving. This study asked 225 undergraduate participants to work through six scenarios, identify errors in those scenarios, and forecast and/or deliberate on those errors prior to completing a final marketing plan appraised for creativity. It was found the number of errors identified, number of positive and negative outcomes listed, specificity of forecasts and deliberations, and quality of forecasts and deliberations led to better creative solutions. The implications of these findings for understanding how people work with errors, specifically in creative problem-solving, are discussed.