Is divergent thinking innate or can it be improved by study? Tests of twins suggest that variation in divergent ability may involve non-genetic factors.

Do the tests require the subjects to be unaware of what is begin tested? Dryzek (Mismeasure of economic man) Q methodology. Treating subjects as conscious sources of information. Also Vygotsky.

Implications for testing - Number of test subjects:

• Test of sixth-form students (a la Hudson)
  • continue with Guilford style tests.
  • Contact school
• Tests of undergrads - three volunteers so far
  • Only test semantic relations.
  • Q sort and interview.
  • Individual interviews.

What views am I trying to test?

• Mathematics
• Divergent thinking - (example of history)
• Applicability to biology
• ?

• 1. Which statements do you agree with.
• 2. Which statements agree with the current position of "biology".
• 3. Which statements should "biology" agree with.
• Return to 1?

• Statements of method
• Statements of fact

• Student A
  • Biology is mathematics
  • Relevance must be proved with statistics (paraphrased)
• Student B
  • Geography is useful to ecology
  • Chemistry is vital
• Student C
  • Maths is a great help to biologists
  • Surprising amount of statistics in biology (paraphrased)
• Student D
  • Maths is essential to biology.
  • Research requires statistics. (paraphrased)
  • Statistics particularly useful in ecology.
  • Physics is an integral part of biomechanics and physiology.
  • Sciences and maths overlap considerably and you're unlikely to find one without the other.
  • Most biologists would be ecstatic to find a research project that does not involve maths.
• Student E
  • Different subjects complement the different disciplines of biology. (paraphrased)
  • Chemistry is an obvious must for biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, etc.
  • Physics is important for bio-mechanics
  • Geography [is important] for understanding ecosystems
  • History is not high on the biology agenda. (paraphrased)
  • Latin is handy for classification and terminology. (paraphrased)
  • A basic understanfing of maths is necessary for any statistical work - frequent in genetic.
  • Science subjects are considerably inter-related.
  • A broad understanding of science subjects will make a better biologist.