Abstract

Metaphors of thinking provide a systematic and customized approach to creativity. These benefits result because metaphors perform the three functions of models: representation, explanation, and prediction. In essence, metaphors are one way to model domains that are not observable directly. There are three metaphors that establish a set of correspondences from thinking to dim domains: perceiving, moving, and object manipulation. ;These metaphors perform the representation function by establishing a framework for existing creativity methods. These methods are processes that can help people be creative. The framework is a mapping from the these creativity methods into one of the three metaphors of thinking. Creative acts correspond to unusual acts within these three metaphor mappings. ;These metaphors perform the explanation function of a model, because the correspondence of the techniques to the metaphor also explain what form the creativity methods will take. Essentially the methods mirror novel acts within the source domain of the metaphor. ;These metaphors perform the prediction function of models by indicating potential new creativity techniques and extensions to the practice of creativity. Novel acts in the source domain of the metaphors correspond to new ways of thinking or approaching problems. In the practice of creative thinking, the techniques do not exist alone; insights from the metaphors can help coordinate the use of techniques. Another example of the metaphor's ability to extend creativity practice is in the use of creativity indicators that indicate when creative thinking might be most useful and indicate which technique to use. These indicators correspond to areas of potential improvement in the metaphor's source domain. ;The key idea is that metaphoric models can bring structure to creative processes. The main result is a comprehensive process that unifies and coordinates creative techniques. In addition, these metaphors set the new process on a solid foundation. This new process provides a structured way to direct creativity. In addition, this research is a case study of metaphoric modeling for subjects that prove elusive to other forms of modeling