101 Activities For Teaching Creativity And Problem Solving

Ticklers: Related and Unrelated Stimuli 97

101 Activities for Teaching Creativity and Problem Solving.Copyright © 2005 by John Wiley &

Sons, Inc. Reproduced by permission of Pfeiffer, an Imprint of Wiley. http://www.pfeiffer.com

17. Picture Tickler

Background

Visual stimuli of all types can create different perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and associa-

tions. What triggers an image in one person may trigger a completely different one in

someone else.

This technique is similar to PICLed Brains except the stimuli are pictures instead of

words. People who have trouble free-associating from unrelated stimulus words may find

it easier to free-associate with pictures. So this might be a useful technique for such people.

Objectives

• To help participants generate as many creative ideas as possible


• To help participants learn how to use the activities to generate idea

Participants

Small groups of four to seven people each

Materials, Supplies, and Equipment

• For each group: markers, two flip charts, and masking tape for posting flip-chart
  sheets


• For each participant: one sheet each of three different colors of sticking dots
  (^1 ⁄ 2 ” diameter) and one pad of 4 x 6 Post-it®Notes


• Windmill graphic


• An assortment of color pictures from magazines and catalogs. Color pictures from
  such magazines as National Geographicwork well. The best pictures are those with a
  variety of actions, objects, colors, textures, and other stimuli. Try to select pictures that
  vary in content. For instance, don’t select all factory scenes or pictures of the country-
  side. In general, avoid pictures with people in them, especially close-ups. As a rule of
  thumb, have at least four magazines or catalogs for each group.

Handout

• Picture Tickler Handout

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