Exploring Creativity Through the Eyes: A New Framework Using Rorschach Inkblot Test Metrics

Creativity involves the generation of novel ideas that are original and unique. It is a subjective process, and few studies are available in support of objective measures. Available tests of creativity are limited to questions related to an individual's trait and subjective responses. Though creativity is a divergent construct, an objective approach to computing and marking one as creative is required. This is so because creativity is an important factor for success, and a subjective approach would bring bias.

The present study aims to develop a creativity score using the Rorschach Inkblot Test (RIBT) and then test it with eye-tracking technology.

Thirty-four university students were recruited for the study using a purposive sampling technique. RIBT cards were shown on a computer screen with an eye tracker mounted on it. Their responses were recorded and analysed to develop a novel construct of the Creativity measure. The Creativity score is then divided into high, medium and low creativity using the k-means clustering algorithm. Eye parameters of fixations, saccades and pupil diameter were explored for each group.

ANOVA revealed significant differences between the three groups. In the high-creativity group, fixation count, variations in pupil diameter and total saccadic duration were higher than their counterparts. Mean fixation duration was highest for the low-creativity group.

The results indicated that using unstructured blots with Eye-tracking technology helps assess creativity objectively, further broadening avenues to measure creativity.