Adaption-Innovation and Cognitive Complexity

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Abstract
Scores on the Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory (KAI), a measure of style of creative problem solving, were hypothesized to be uncorrelated with measures of the level of cognitive complexity (cognitive articulation and cognitive differentiation). Two studies using samples of American undergraduates were conducted to test the hypothesis. Study 1 found small, insignificant correlations between the KAI and the Rep Test. Study 2 yielded similar results, with the exception of a significant negative correlation between the Role Category Questionnaire and the Efficiency subscale for men only (r = −.41, p = .007). Thus, only 1 out of 16 correlations (Two Studies × Four KAI Measures × Sex) was significant. Such a result could have been due to chance alone. These negative findings enhance the construct validity of the KAI and provide additional support for Kirton's description of styles of creative problem solving.