本研究的主要目的在探討不同中、英文程度的兒童,其語言能力與創造力之間的關係為何,以驗證臨界點理論是否成立,以及性別和年齡對兒童之中、英語能力和創造力高低是否有影響。研究對象是中部地區國小二年級學生132名,使用的研究工具有中文版畢保德圖畫詞彙測驗、英文版畢保德圖畫詞彙測驗和陶倫思圖形創造思考測驗。研究者以中、英文測驗分數之中位數為切點,將兒童區分為雙語優勢、中文單語優勢、英文單語優勢和雙語弱勢四組,並以單因子變異數、事後比較和線性迴歸等方法,針對問題進行資料的檢驗分析。主要的發現有(1)雙語優勢兒童與雙語弱勢兒童之創造力分數間有顯著差異;(2)中文單語優勢兒童與雙語弱勢兒童之創造力分數有顯著差異:(3)兒童年齡對其中英文詞彙程度有顯著的預測力,對創造力分數則無。研究者依據研究結果建議兒童學習外語前,須先打好第一語言的基礎,才能對第二語言的學習和創造力的提升最有助益。
The purpose of the present study was to investigate relationships between bilingualism and creativity performance as predicted by Threshold theory. The study also examined how gender and age affects children's Mandarin and English abilities and creativity performance. Research samples were 132 two-grade students of elementary school in Mid-Taiwan area. Three measures were employed, including Chinese Version of Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised, English version of Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-fourth (4th) edition, and Torrance's Tests of Creative Thinking. ANOVA, Turkey comparison and linear regression were conducted for data analysis. Major findings were: (1) students with bilingual superiority had attained a higher degree of creativity performance significantly (2) students with Mandarin superiority had also achieved a significant higher level of creativity (3) Age was a significant predictor factor of Chinese and English version of Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test. Researcher suggested that foundation of first language had to be built before second language learning. First language was important for foreign language learning and creativity development.