Imagination as a facet of Openness/Intellect: A new scale differentiating experiential simulation and conceptual innovation

Abstract

Previous research has investigated the nature of imagination as a construct related to multiple forms of higher-order cognition. Despite the emergence of various conceptualizations of imagination, few attempts have been made to explore the structure of imagination as a trait in the context of existing hierarchically-nested personality dimensions. We present a scale for measuring trait imagination that distinguishes between experiential simulation and conceptual innovation, aligned with the two major subfactors (aspects) of the Big Five dimension Openness/Intellect. Across two large samples, we provide evidence of a consistent factor structure distinguishing experiential, conceptual, and general descriptions of imagination, as well as validity as measures of facets of Openness and Intellect. Our findings provide a measure of major forms of imagination in line with mainstream models of the hierarchical structure of personality.

The Interplay among Students’ Social Behavior, Thinking Skills, and Academic Performance in Core Subjects

“…Being adaptive is closely related to the personality trait, "openness." This trait is manifested when individuals are open to experience (Sassenberg et al, 2022). Adaptive people are willing to explore new things and are motivated to take on new challenges (Cherry, 2018).…”