The Relationship between Creative Thinking and Critical Thinking Skills of Students

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the relationship between creative thinking and critical thinking skills of students. Participating university students (N=174) during the 2012 fall semester had a mean age of 21.74 years. The data were obtained using the California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory and the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking. A quantitative research method was used for collection, analysis and interpretation of data. According to the results, there was a significant positive correlation between creative thinking and critical thinking skills of students in the low level. The strength of this correlation varied from medium to significant in the Visual Arts Education and Religion & Ethics Education departments; however, it was not significant in Mathematics Education or Preschool Education departments. Accordingly, it can be concluded that the significant relationship between creative and critical thinking of students pursuing degrees within the departments of Visual Arts or Religion & Ethics Education originates from the tendency of these students to use non-routine problem solving processes resulting from the nature of their learning climate and educational outcomes. Thus, it can be put forward that the use of non-routine problem solving processes plays a vital role in the significant correlation between creative thinking and critical thinking skills of students.