Addressing Our Implicit Bias Against Embracing Creative Ideas

The purpose of this Master\u27s Project is to highlight the fact that we all carry an implicit bias against embracing creative ideas experienced as psychological reactions such as anxiety related to the uncertainties that surround truly creative ideas. Two main innovation processes, Creative Problem Solving and Design Thinking will be compared against suggestions by social psychologist and creativity researcher Jennifer Mueller for addressing this bias. One of the main areas of discussion will revolve around the need to balance two opposing mind-sets often used by decision-makers, which results in the ability to think more like an inventor. Characteristics of these two innovation processes will be compared against the characteristics of a how/best and a why/potential mind-set. Suggestions for further research will be included. My personal journey learning about the Creative Problem Solving process will be interwoven throughout this exploration