Creative behavior through basic inferences: Evidence from person-computer interactions

This article reviews the contributions of basic reasoning mechanisms to the generation of creative ideas. The investigated reasoning mechanisms are deduction, induction, abduction, specialization/ generalization, and elementary memory associations. The article claims that if we measure creativity by outcomes, that is, by the quality of the resulting ideas, then these basic forms of reasoning can be considered at least mildly creative. The claim is backed by references to computer programs which have generated creative outcomes, and by the outcomes of computer based reasoning activities shown in the article. Limitations of this approach to creativity are also discussed, particularly, difficulties in the recognition of creative ideas.