Research

The research of the CreAI Lab focusses on investigating the intelligence and creativity of the newest AI models. Through creativity tasks, puzzles and intelligence tests both languange and vision language models get tested and compared to adults and even children.

Here you can find the latest publications of the lab.

Highlighted

Can Large Language Models generalize analogy solving like children can?
Claire E. Stevenson, Alexandra Pafford, Han L. J. van der Maas, Melanie Mitchell
arXiv  ·  07 Oct 2025  ·  arXiv:2411.02348

All

2026

Varieties of divergent thinking: A network analysis of Guilford, Merriefield and Cox (1961)
Baptiste Barbot, Lea Marie Naczenski, Matthijs Baas, Claire E. Stevenson
Intelligence  ·  01 Jan 2026  ·  doi:10.1016/j.intell.2025.101975

2025

Can Large Language Models generalize analogy solving like children can?
Claire E. Stevenson, Alexandra Pafford, Han L. J. van der Maas, Melanie Mitchell
arXiv  ·  07 Oct 2025  ·  arXiv:2411.02348
Evaluating Creative Short Story Generation in Humans and Large Language Models
Mete Ismayilzada, Claire Stevenson, Lonneke van der Plas
arXiv  ·  13 May 2025  ·  arXiv:2411.02316
Automated assessment of creativity in multilingual narratives.
Simone A. Luchini, Ibraheem Muhammad Moosa, John D. Patterson, Dan Johnson, Matthijs Baas, …, Emmanuelle Volle, Aleksandra Zielińska, Janet G. van Hell, Wenpeng Yin, Roger E. Beaty
Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts  ·  13 Mar 2025  ·  doi:10.1037/aca0000725
Analogical Reasoning Inside Large Language Models: Concept Vectors and the Limits of Abstraction
Gustaw Opiełka, Hannes Rosenbusch, Claire E. Stevenson
arXiv  ·  06 Mar 2025  ·  arXiv:2503.03666
Pencils to Pixels: A Systematic Study of Creative Drawings across Children, Adults and AI
Surabhi S Nath, Guiomar del Cuvillo y Schröder, Claire E. Stevenson
arXiv  ·  11 Feb 2025  ·  arXiv:2502.05999
Do large language models solve verbal analogies like children do?
Tamar Johnson, Mathilde ter Veen, Rochelle Choenni, Han van der Maas, Ekaterina Shutova, Claire E Stevenson
Proceedings of the 29th Conference on Computational Natural Language Learning  ·  01 Jan 2025  ·  doi:10.18653/v1/2025.conll-1.40
Large Language Models Show Signs of Alignment with Human Neurocognition During Abstract Reasoning
Christopher Pinier, Sonia Acuña Vargas, Mariia Steeghs-Turchina, Dora Matzke, Claire E. Stevenson, Michael D. Nunez
arXiv  ·  01 Jan 2025  ·  doi:10.48550/arXiv.2508.10057
Modelling Analogies and Analogical Reasoning: Connecting Cognitive Science Theory and NLP Research
Molly R Petersen, Claire E Stevenson, Lonneke van der Plas
arXiv  ·  01 Jan 2025  ·  doi:10.48550/arXiv.2509.09381

2024

Automated Assessment of Creativity in Multilingual Narratives
Simone A Luchini, Moosa Ibraheem Muhammad, John D. Patterson, Dan Richard Johnson, Matthijs Baas, …, Emmanuelle Volle, Aleksandra Zielińska, Janet van Hell, Yin Wenpeng, Roger Beaty
Center for Open Science  ·  22 Aug 2024  ·  doi:10.31234/osf.io/f4a2g
Playing single-player tasks together: Dyads’ collaborative activities across two games in Math Garden
M.S.M. Sachisthal, C. Paans, A.D. Hofman, C.E. Stevenson, H.L.J. van der Maas, I. Molenaar, B.R.J. Jansen
Computers in Human Behavior Reports  ·  01 Aug 2024  ·  doi:10.1016/j.chbr.2024.100456
Characterising the Creative Process in Humans and Large Language Models
Surabhi S. Nath, Peter Dayan, Claire Stevenson
arXiv  ·  07 Jun 2024  ·  arXiv:2405.00899
Do Large Language Models Solve ARC Visual Analogies Like People Do?
Gustaw Opiełka, Hannes Rosenbusch, Veerle Vijverberg, Claire E. Stevenson
arXiv  ·  14 May 2024  ·  arXiv:2403.09734
Saliency Suppressed, Semantics Surfaced: Visual Transformations in Neural Networks and the Brain
Gustaw Opiełka, Jessica Loke, Steven Scholte
arXiv  ·  30 Apr 2024  ·  arXiv:2404.18772
Distinct neurocognitive pathways underlying creativity: An integrative approach
Matthijs Baas, Claire E. Stevenson, Corinna Perchtold-Stefan, Bernard A. Nijstad, Carsten K. W. De Dreu
Behavioral and Brain Sciences  ·  01 Jan 2024  ·  doi:10.1017/S0140525X23003497

2023

Solving ARC visual analogies with neural embeddings and vector arithmetic: A generalized method
Luca H. Thoms, Karel A. Veldkamp, Hannes Rosenbusch, Claire E. Stevenson
arXiv  ·  15 Nov 2023  ·  arXiv:2311.08083
Do large language models solve verbal analogies like children do?
Claire E. Stevenson, Mathilde ter Veen, Rochelle Choenni, Han L. J. van der Maas, Ekaterina Shutova
arXiv  ·  01 Nov 2023  ·  arXiv:2310.20384
Multilingual semantic distance: Automatic verbal creativity assessment in many languages.
John D. Patterson, Hannah M. Merseal, Dan R. Johnson, Sergio Agnoli, Matthijs Baas, …, Claire Stevenson, Meghedi Vartanian, Emannuelle Volle, Janet G. van Hell, Roger E. Beaty
Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts  ·  01 Aug 2023  ·  doi:10.1037/aca0000618
How Accurate are GPT-3’s Hypotheses About Social Science Phenomena?
Hannes Rosenbusch, Claire E. Stevenson, Han L. J. van der Maas
Digital Society  ·  03 Jul 2023  ·  doi:10.1007/s44206-023-00054-2
Creative or not? Hierarchical diffusion modeling of the creative evaluation process.
Michelle C. Donzallaz, Julia M. Haaf, Claire E. Stevenson
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition  ·  01 Jun 2023  ·  doi:10.1037/xlm0001177

2022

Putting GPT-3's Creativity to the (Alternative Uses) Test
Claire Stevenson, Iris Smal, Matthijs Baas, Raoul Grasman, Han van der Maas
arXiv  ·  22 Jun 2022  ·  arXiv:2206.08932

2021

How much intelligence is there in artificial intelligence? A 2020 update
Han L.J. van der Maas, Lukas Snoek, Claire E. Stevenson
Intelligence  ·  01 Jul 2021  ·  doi:10.1016/j.intell.2021.101548
Creative or Not? Hierarchical Diffusion Modeling of the Creative Evaluation Process
Michelle C. Donzallaz, Julia M. Haaf, Claire Stevenson
Center for Open Science  ·  03 Apr 2021  ·  doi:10.31234/osf.io/5eryv
A Minimal Theory of Creative Ability
Claire Stevenson, Matthijs Baas, Han van der Maas
Journal of Intelligence  ·  16 Feb 2021  ·  doi:10.3390/jintelligence9010009

2020

Creative Mathematical Thinking in a Numbers Game
Joost Kruis, Claire Stevenson, Han L. J. van der Maas
MDPI AG  ·  15 Oct 2020  ·  doi:10.20944/preprints202010.0314.v1
A Minimal Theory of Creative Ability
Claire Stevenson, Matthijs Baas, Han L. J. van der Maas
Center for Open Science  ·  23 Jun 2020  ·  doi:10.31234/osf.io/t5e3g

2019

Idiographic Approach Using Computer Adaptive Practicing
Abe D Hofman, Brenda RJ Jansen, Susanne MM de Mooij, Claire E Stevenson, Han LJ van der Maas
MDPI  ·  01 Jul 2019  ·  [no id info]

2018

Learning to solve figural matrix analogies: The paths children take
Claire E. Stevenson, Marian Hickendorff
Learning and Individual Differences  ·  01 Aug 2018  ·  doi:10.1016/j.lindif.2018.04.010
A Solution to the Measurement Problem in the Idiographic Approach Using Computer Adaptive Practicing
Abe Hofman, Brenda Jansen, Susanne De Mooij, Claire Stevenson, Han Van der Maas
Journal of Intelligence  ·  02 Mar 2018  ·  doi:10.3390/jintelligence6010014
The dynamics of the development of mathematics skills: A comparison of theories of developing intelligence.
Abe Dirk Hofman, Rogier Kievit, Claire Stevenson, Dylan Molenaar, Ingmar Visser, Han L. J. van der Maas
Center for Open Science  ·  28 Feb 2018  ·  doi:10.31219/osf.io/xa2ft
A Solution to the Measurement Problem in the Idiographic Approach Using Computer Adaptive Practicing
Abe D. Hofman, Brenda R. J. Jansen, Susanne M. M. de Mooij, Claire Stevenson, Han L. J. van der Maas
MDPI AG  ·  13 Feb 2018  ·  doi:10.20944/preprints201802.0092.v1

2017

Adolescents' responses to online peer conflict: How self‐evaluation and ethnicity matter
Sheida Novin, Marieke G.N. Bos, Claire E. Stevenson, Carolien Rieffe
Infant and Child Development  ·  23 Nov 2017  ·  doi:10.1002/icd.2067
CBM maze-scores as indicators of reading level and growth for seventh-grade students
Siuman Chung, Christine A. Espin, Claire E. Stevenson
Reading and Writing  ·  18 Nov 2017  ·  doi:10.1007/s11145-017-9803-8
Differences in Need for Instruction: Dynamic Testing in Children with Arithmetic Difficulties
Tirza Bosma, Claire E. Stevenson, Wilma C. M. Resing
Journal of Education and Training Studies  ·  07 May 2017  ·  doi:10.11114/jets.v5i6.2326
Network Models for Cognitive Development and Intelligence
Han Van Der Maas, Kees-Jan Kan, Maarten Marsman, Claire E. Stevenson
Journal of Intelligence  ·  20 Apr 2017  ·  doi:10.3390/jintelligence5020016
Training in the adolescent brain: An fMRI training study on divergent thinking.
Sietske W. Kleibeuker, Claire E. Stevenson, Laura van der Aar, Sandy Overgaauw, Anna C. van Duijvenvoorde, Eveline A. Crone
Developmental Psychology  ·  01 Feb 2017  ·  doi:10.1037/dev0000239
Network Models for Cognitive Development and Intelligence
Han Van Der Maas, Kees-Jan Kan, Maarten Marsman, Claire E. Stevenson
MDPI AG  ·  25 Jan 2017  ·  doi:10.20944/preprints201701.0107.v1

2016

Role of Working Memory and Strategy-Use in Feedback Effects on children’s Progression in Analogy Solving:an Explanatory Item Response Theory Account
Claire E. Stevenson
International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education  ·  20 Dec 2016  ·  doi:10.1007/s40593-016-0129-5
Dynamic Testing of Analogical Reasoning in 5- to 6-Year-Olds
Claire E. Stevenson, Willem J. Heiser, Wilma C. M. Resing
Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment  ·  03 Aug 2016  ·  doi:10.1177/0734282915622912
Dynamic testing: Assessing cognitive potential of children with culturally diverse backgrounds
Claire E. Stevenson, Willem J. Heiser, Wilma C.M. Resing
Learning and Individual Differences  ·  01 Apr 2016  ·  doi:10.1016/j.lindif.2015.12.025

2015

Third graders’ verbal reports of multiplication strategy use: How valid are they?
Helen C. Reed, Claire Stevenson, Marije Broens-Paffen, Paul A. Kirschner, Jelle Jolles
Learning and Individual Differences  ·  01 Jan 2015  ·  doi:10.1016/j.lindif.2014.11.010

2014

Training creative cognition: adolescence as a flexible period for improving creativity
Claire E. Stevenson, Sietske W. Kleibeuker, Carsten K. W. de Dreu, Eveline A. Crone
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience  ·  29 Oct 2014  ·  doi:10.3389/fnhum.2014.00827
Visual relations children find easy and difficult to process in figural analogies
Claire E. Stevenson, Rosa A. Alberto, Max A. van den Boom, Paul A. L. de Boeck
Frontiers in Psychology  ·  05 Aug 2014  ·  doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00827

2013

Working Memory and Dynamic Measures of Analogical Reasoning as Predictors of Children's Math and Reading Achievement
Claire E. Stevenson, Catharina E. Bergwerff, Willem J. Heiser, Wilma C. M. Resing
Infant and Child Development  ·  12 Dec 2013  ·  doi:10.1002/icd.1833
Working memory as a moderator of training and transfer of analogical reasoning in children
Claire E. Stevenson, Willem J. Heiser, Wilma C.M. Resing
Contemporary Educational Psychology  ·  01 Jul 2013  ·  doi:10.1016/j.cedpsych.2013.02.001
Explanatory item response modeling of children's change on a dynamic test of analogical reasoning
Claire E. Stevenson, Marian Hickendorff, Wilma C.M. Resing, Willem J. Heiser, Paul A.L. de Boeck
Intelligence  ·  01 May 2013  ·  doi:10.1016/j.intell.2013.01.003
Assessing Software Design Skills and their Relation with Reasoning Skills.
Dave R Stikkolorum, Claire Stevenson, Michel RV Chaudron
[no publisher info]  ·  01 Jan 2013  ·  [no id info]
Individual differences in the effect of feedback on children's change in analogical reasoning.
Claire E Stevenson, Wilma CM Resing, Willem J Heiser
[no publisher info]  ·  01 Jan 2013  ·  [no id info]

2012

Dynamic Testing: Measuring Inductive Reasoning in Children With Developmental Disabilities and Mild Cognitive Impairments
Wilma C. M. Resing, Claire E. Stevenson, Tirza Bosma
Journal of Cognitive Education and Psychology  ·  01 Jan 2012  ·  doi:10.1891/1945-8959.11.2.159

2011

Computer or paper analogy puzzles. Does assessment mode influence young children's strategy progression?
Claire E Stevenson, Kirsten WJ Touw, Wilma Resing
British Psychological Society  ·  01 Jan 2011  ·  [no id info]
Computerized Dynamic Testing: A Study of the Potential of an Approach Using Sensor Technology
Wilma C. M. Resing, Wouter M. P. Steijn, Iro Xenidou-Dervou, Claire E. Stevenson, Julian G. Elliott
Journal of Cognitive Education and Psychology  ·  01 Jan 2011  ·  doi:10.1891/1945-8959.10.2.178

2009

Analogical reasoning skill acquisition with self-explanation in 7–8 year olds. Does feedback help?
Claire E Stevenson, Wilma Resing, Mandy N. Froma
Educational and Child Psychology  ·  01 Jan 2009  ·  [no id info]

2004

Discovery and maintenance of the many‐to‐one counting strategy in 4‐year‐olds: A microgenetic study
Anke W. Blöte, Sandra G. Van Otterloo, Claire E. Stevenson, Marcel V. J. Veenman
British Journal of Developmental Psychology  ·  01 Mar 2004  ·  doi:10.1348/026151004772901122