The relationship between mathematical creativity and nonverbal intelligence: A study of Turkish gifted and non-gifted students

This study examined the correlation between mathematical creativity and nonverbal intelligence levels in gifted and non-gifted secondary school students. Furthermore, we examined the mathematical creativity and nonverbal intelligence scores of the students based on gender and grade level. The sample of the study consisted of 114 gifted students and 110 non-gifted students in the fifth, sixth, and seventh grades. This study was designed using the correlational survey model. The Mathematical Creativity Test and the Test of Nonverbal Intelligence-Third Edition (TONI-3) were used. The analysis showed that the gifted students had higher nonverbal intelligence scores and higher mathematical creativity scores. The highest score was obtained in fluency for both groups, which was followed by originality and flexibility, respectively. While no statistically significant correlation was found between nonverbal intelligence and mathematical creativity among gifted students, a significant correlation was observed for non-gifted students. The results are discussed in light of the literature.