Training Effects on Attitudes Toward Divergent Thinking Among Manufacturing Engineers

In a field experiment, we tested the effects of training on attitudes of 112 manufacturing engineers toward divergent thinking in problem solving. The second group (n = 47) served as the control for the first group (n = 65) in the first part of the experiment, and vice versa in the second part. Measurements of attitudes toward divergent thinking were taken at three points in time (baseline, following the training of the first group, and following the training of the second group). Results showed that the training positively affected engineers' attitudes toward divergent thinking in problem solving. Specifically, the training with intact work groups demonstrated consistent results, whereas training with those from diffuse locations produced mixed results. Implications are discussed.