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ALTERNATIVE USES TASK
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Script Author: Katja Borchert, Ph.D. (katjab@millisecond.com) for Millisecond Software, LLC
Date: 03-06-2017
last updated: 08-20-2024 by K. Borchert (katjab@millisecond.com) for Millisecond Software, LLC
Script Copyright © 08-20-2024 Millisecond Software
Millisecond Software thanks Ben Walker for his help with this script!
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BACKGROUND INFO
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This script implements a computerized version of the Guilford's Alternative Uses Task, a test of creative thinking.
Guilford,J.P.(1967). Creativity: yesterday, today and tomorrow.
J. Creat.Behav. 1, 3+14. doi:10.1002/j.2162-6057.1967.tb00002.x
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TASK DESCRIPTION
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Phase1: Participant are given 3 everyday objects (e.g. brick) and are asked to come up with as many creative uses
for the current object as possible within 3 minutes (default).
Phase2 (optional): Afterwards, the computer lists all provided uses for each object and participants are asked to
select the top 2 uses for each.
Responses are stored in the data file but need to be evaluated manually.
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DURATION
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the default set-up of the script takes appr. 10 minutes to complete
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DATA OUTPUT DICTIONARY
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The fields in the data files are:
(1) Raw data file: 'alternativeusestask_raw*.iqdat' (a separate file for each participant)*
build: The specific Inquisit version used (the 'build') that was run
computer.platform: the platform the script was run on (win/mac/ios/android)
date, time: date and time script was run
subject, group: with the current subject/groupnumber
session: with the current session id
blockCode, blockNum: the name and number of the current block (built-in Inquisit variable)
trialCode, trialNum: the name and number of the currently recorded trial (built-in Inquisit variable)
Note: trialNum is a built-in Inquisit variable; it counts all trials run; even those
that do not store data to the data file such as feedback trials. Thus, trialNum
may not reflect the number of main trials run per block.
countTargets: keeps track of the number of target words presented
target: contains the current target word
countPages: keeps track of the number of surveyPages being presented for each target (30 textboxes per page)
Note: only relevant if unlimitedResponse = true
response: the participant's response for each textbox one by one
latency: the response latency (in ms)
Note: measured from onset of current surveyPage until 'continue button' is pressed
countSolutions: counts the number of solutions ('uses') for the current target
solutions: stores all the provided solutions ('uses') for the current target
validRatings: 1 = participant selected the correct number of 'best' uses (eg. if more than 1 uses have been provided, participant selects 2)
AND participant entered valid list numbers (e.g. participant provided 10 uses, and entered number 2 and 8)
0 = participant did not select the correct number of 'best' uses (e.g. participant provided 10 uses and entered 1 'best' use only)
OR participant did not enter valid list numbers (e.g. entered a 0)
this is a helper variable to ensure that participants select valid input
(2) Summary data file: 'alternativeusestask_summary*.iqdat' (a separate file for each participant)*
inquisit.version: Inquisit version run
computer.platform: the platform the script was run on (win/mac/ios/android)
startDate: date script was run
startTime: time script was started
subjectId: assigned subject id number
groupId: assigned group id number
sessionId: assigned session id number
elapsedTime: time it took to run script (in ms); measured from onset to offset of script
completed: 0 = script was not completed (prematurely aborted);
1 = script was completed (all conditions run)
timeLimit: the time allowance (in ms) for the generation of alternative uses per target word (default: 180000ms => 3 min)
responseRating: optional phase 2
true (1) = participants are asked to select the top 2 uses (default)
false (0) = participants are not asked to select the top 2 uses
target1: contains the first target word
countSolutions1: counts the number of solutions ('uses') for the first target
solutions1: stores all the provided solutions ('uses') for the first target
best1Target1: stores the item that was selected as the best use for target word 1 (if applicable)
best2Target1: stores the item that was selected as the second best use for target word 1 (if applicable)
target2: contains the second target word
countSolutions2: counts the number of solutions ('uses') for the second target
solutions2: stores all the provided solutions ('uses') for the second target
best1Target2: stores the item that was selected as the best use for target word 2 (if applicable)
best2Target2: stores the item that was selected as the second best use for target word 2 (if applicable)
target3: contains the third target word
countSolutions3: counts the number of solutions ('uses') for the third target
solutions3: stores all the provided solutions ('uses') for the third target
best1Target3: stores the item that was selected as the best use for target word 3 (if applicable)
best2Target3: stores the item that was selected as the second best use for target word 3 (if applicable)
* separate data files: to change to one data file for all participants (on Inquisit Lab only), go to section
"DATA" and follow further instructions
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EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP
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The task is divided into 2 phases:
1. Phase: Use-Generation for 3 items (default)
- order of the items is randomly determined (to change go to section LIST -> list.targetItemnumbers)
- responses are collected by a surveyPage that collects up to 30 responses
Note: if more response boxes should be presented, go to section Editable Parameters
- the trial ends when the allotted time is up
- a timing clock is optional (by default, it is presented)
- a picture of the target is optional (by default, it is presented)
2. Phase (optional): ratings of uses
- order of items is the same as in Phase1
- all uses the participant generated in phase 1 are presented as a numbered list
- participants are asked to select the top 2 uses (by number)
- unlimited time
Note:
presentation of all the 'uses' depends on their number (50 and fewer are presented line-by-line;
more than 50 are separated by tabs instead). Fontsize is also adjusted based on number of items
that need to fit on the screen.
Furthermore:
- if participant entered more than 1 creative use for the object, two selections are required
- if participant entered only 1 creative use, it is automatically stored as the 'best use' (selection task is skipped)
- if participant entered no creative use, no selection is required (selection task is skipped)
computer ensures:
- no repeated selections are made
- the numbers entered are valid given the number of creative uses generated (e.g. if 5 uses are generated,
entering number 15 will not be valid)
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STIMULI
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target words are listed under section Editable Stimuli -> item.targets.
They can easily be exchanged for different words.
To remove or add target words follow instructions under section Editable Stimuli.
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INSTRUCTIONS
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instructions are not original To Guilford (1967). They can be edited under section Editable Instructions.
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EDITABLE CODE
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check below for (relatively) easily editable parameters, stimuli, instructions etc.
Keep in mind that you can use this script as a template and therefore always "mess" with the entire code
to further customize your experiment.
The parameters you can change are:
/timeLimit: the time allowance (in ms) for the generation of alternative uses per target word (default: 180000ms => 3 min)
/responseRating: optional phase 2
true (1) = participants are asked to select the top 2 uses (default)
false (0) = participants are not asked to select the top 2 uses
/showTimer: true (1) = a timer clock is presented for participants (default)
false (0) = no timer clock is presented
/showPics: true (1) = a picture of the target is presented together with the target word
false (0) = no picture of the target is presented together with the target word
/unLimitedResponses: true(1) = participants can fill out an unlimited amount of textboxes
Note: the program will simply provide additional surveyPages of 30 textboxes
false(0) = the maximum number of textboxes per item is limited to 30 (default)
