title: Improving the creative process: Analysis of the effects of divergent thinking techniques and domain specific knowledge on creativity

authors: Kilgour, A. Mark

subjects: creative process

abstract: Although creativity may be a subjective construct that we can not evaluate independently of the domain, we may be able to objectively measure a person’s creative thinking processes. The difficulty is that current tests are unable to provide consistent evaluations of individual creative thinking abilities with strong external validity. It is contended that this may be due in part to the measurement constructs being a measure of cognitive processing strategy choice rather than inherent creative thinking abilities alone. Additionally, domain specific knowledge factors may influence creative thinking processes and measures. This article combines a review of the literature with the findings of qualitative research undertaken at two of the world’s leading advertising agencies to identify whether creative thinking techniques, and domain specific knowledge when primed, are key factors influencing creative outcomes. Finally, it develops a creative thinking research instrument that incorporates the findings. Factor and regression analyses were undertaken on the quantitative data with 10 variables loading onto two factors and accounting for more than 60% of the variance explained. Further findings and implications are discussed in the article.

text: Improving the creative process: Analysis of the effects of divergent thinking techniques and domain specific knowledge on creativity Although creativity may be a subjective construct that we can not evaluate independently of the domain, we may be able to objectively measure a person’s creative thinking processes. The difficulty is that current tests are unable to provide consistent evaluations of individual creative thinking abilities with strong external validity. It is contended that this may be due in part to the measurement constructs being a measure of cognitive processing strategy choice rather than inherent creative thinking abilities alone. Additionally, domain specific knowledge factors may influence creative thinking processes and measures. This article combines a review of the literature with the findings of qualitative research undertaken at two of the world’s leading advertising agencies to identify whether creative thinking techniques, and domain specific knowledge when primed, are key factors influencing creative outcomes. Finally, it develops a creative thinking research instrument that incorporates the findings. Factor and regression analyses were undertaken on the quantitative data with 10 variables loading onto two factors and accounting for more than 60% of the variance explained. Further findings and implications are discussed in the article.

year: 2006

title: Monogenean Parasites of Non-Native Freshwater Fish in New Zealand: Ecology and New Distributional Records

authors: Renner, Ethan

abstract: Monogeneans are common aquatic ectoparasites within the phylum Platyhelminthes. Freshwater monogeneans have been little studied in New Zealand, with only three taxa having been recognised in the country until recently, including only two to species level. Twenty-one non-native freshwater fish species have established populations in New Zealand, yet only one of these has been reported with monogenean infestations. Based on the diversity of monogenean species known from these fish species globally, it is likely that many monogenean species will have established populations in New Zealand that remain unreported. The prevalence and intensity of parasite infection and infestation are known to vary with season and in relation to host factors such as size and sex, but little is known of their ecology in New Zealand freshwater fish species.

I report for the first time the presence of eleven monogenean species infesting non-native freshwater fish in New Zealand. Two of these species belong to the family Ancyrocephalidae, a family new to New Zealand. A seasonal study of two species infesting Gambusia affinis (Baird & Girard, 1853) in two interconnected ponds in Hamilton, Salsuginus seculus (Mizelle & Arcadi, 1945) and Gyrodactylus gambusiae Rogers and Wellborn, 1965, represents the first ecological study of monogeneans undertaken in New Zealand, a country with a mild climate and narrow annual temperature range relative to better studied northern temperate populations. The prevalence of S. seculus changed significantly over the course of a year, reaching a peak during the summer. However, no significant correlation with temperature was found for either the prevalence or mean intensity of S. seculus. Prevalence was instead correlated with the concentration of chlorophyll a and pH. However, it is likely these correlations were simply due to chlorophyll a concentrations similarly increasing over summer affecting the pH, rather than either variable being causative. As G. affinis is known to experience large increases and decreases in population density annually, with individuals coming into physical contact during breeding, this was likely the cause of the increase in monogenean prevalence. A greater number of hosts would provide more habitat for monogeneans and their increased density would facilitate transmission of the parasites. The sex of fish was found to be a significant predictor of prevalence and intensity of monogeneans S. seculus, but this was on the basis of size. Longer and heavier fish had higher prevalence and mean intensity of S. seculus, and as female G. affinis are typically larger than males, this led to the difference in infestation between the sexes. Larger individuals represent larger habitat patches and for this may be the reason that prevalence and intensity of monogeneans was higher on these individuals. A similar test was conducted on Carassius auratus (L.), where two size classes were observed, representing juveniles and adults. The juvenile fish had significantly higher prevalence and intensities of Dactylogyrus spp., indicating a parasite vulnerability in juveniles. This thesis contributes to the knowledge of the species diversity and ecology of freshwater monogeneans in New Zealand.

text: Monogenean Parasites of Non-Native Freshwater Fish in New Zealand: Ecology and New Distributional Records Monogeneans are common aquatic ectoparasites within the phylum Platyhelminthes. Freshwater monogeneans have been little studied in New Zealand, with only three taxa having been recognised in the country until recently, including only two to species level. Twenty-one non-native freshwater fish species have established populations in New Zealand, yet only one of these has been reported with monogenean infestations. Based on the diversity of monogenean species known from these fish species globally, it is likely that many monogenean species will have established populations in New Zealand that remain unreported. The prevalence and intensity of parasite infection and infestation are known to vary with season and in relation to host factors such as size and sex, but little is known of their ecology in New Zealand freshwater fish species.

I report for the first time the presence of eleven monogenean species infesting non-native freshwater fish in New Zealand. Two of these species belong to the family Ancyrocephalidae, a family new to New Zealand. A seasonal study of two species infesting Gambusia affinis (Baird & Girard, 1853) in two interconnected ponds in Hamilton, Salsuginus seculus (Mizelle & Arcadi, 1945) and Gyrodactylus gambusiae Rogers and Wellborn, 1965, represents the first ecological study of monogeneans undertaken in New Zealand, a country with a mild climate and narrow annual temperature range relative to better studied northern temperate populations. The prevalence of S. seculus changed significantly over the course of a year, reaching a peak during the summer. However, no significant correlation with temperature was found for either the prevalence or mean intensity of S. seculus. Prevalence was instead correlated with the concentration of chlorophyll a and pH. However, it is likely these correlations were simply due to chlorophyll a concentrations similarly increasing over summer affecting the pH, rather than either variable being causative. As G. affinis is known to experience large increases and decreases in population density annually, with individuals coming into physical contact during breeding, this was likely the cause of the increase in monogenean prevalence. A greater number of hosts would provide more habitat for monogeneans and their increased density would facilitate transmission of the parasites. The sex of fish was found to be a significant predictor of prevalence and intensity of monogeneans S. seculus, but this was on the basis of size. Longer and heavier fish had higher prevalence and mean intensity of S. seculus, and as female G. affinis are typically larger than males, this led to the difference in infestation between the sexes. Larger individuals represent larger habitat patches and for this may be the reason that prevalence and intensity of monogeneans was higher on these individuals. A similar test was conducted on Carassius auratus (L.), where two size classes were observed, representing juveniles and adults. The juvenile fish had significantly higher prevalence and intensities of Dactylogyrus spp., indicating a parasite vulnerability in juveniles. This thesis contributes to the knowledge of the species diversity and ecology of freshwater monogeneans in New Zealand.

year: 2023

title: Māori and indigenous views on R and R: Resistance and Resilience

authors: Penehira, Mera

subjects: resilience

abstract: This article explores the development of Mäori and Indigenous frameworks of resilience, considering the impact of engaging with largely State- led notions of resilience on Mäori development. We highlight the closely linked notion of resistance, asserting the necessity of a fi rm political analysis from Indigenous researchers engaged in this discourse. One of the Indigenous criticisms of resilience theories is that by defi nition they assume an acceptance of responsibility for our position as disadvantaged individuals. That is, by examining and developing theories and models of resilience we buy into the idea that this is the way it is and we need simply to get better at bouncing back and being resilient. Resistance, however, represents an approach of collective fi ght- back, exposing the inequitable distribution of power, and actively opposing negative social, political and economic infl uences. This article represents a Mäori Indigenous political response to the resilience discourse.

text: Māori and indigenous views on R and R: Resistance and Resilience This article explores the development of Mäori and Indigenous frameworks of resilience, considering the impact of engaging with largely State- led notions of resilience on Mäori development. We highlight the closely linked notion of resistance, asserting the necessity of a fi rm political analysis from Indigenous researchers engaged in this discourse. One of the Indigenous criticisms of resilience theories is that by defi nition they assume an acceptance of responsibility for our position as disadvantaged individuals. That is, by examining and developing theories and models of resilience we buy into the idea that this is the way it is and we need simply to get better at bouncing back and being resilient. Resistance, however, represents an approach of collective fi ght- back, exposing the inequitable distribution of power, and actively opposing negative social, political and economic infl uences. This article represents a Mäori Indigenous political response to the resilience discourse.

year: 2014