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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2017 Mar 24.
Published in final edited form as: Psychol Aesthet Creat Arts. 2016 Feb 11;10(4):425–435. doi: 10.1037/aca0000050

Table 2.

Qualitative Response Coding System for Object Function based on Top-down and Bottom-up Object Properties

Top-Down-driven, Abstract Properties Bottom-up-driven, Concrete Properties
1 2 3 4
Use an object for its
typical/common function
(e.g., chair: to sit on)
Use an object as (instead of, in
the place of) a different tool to
allow for a different function
(different handling but not
modification)
(e.g., football: to use as a life
saver)
Modify an object to generate a
different function based on the
object’s bottom-up
features/properties (i.e.,
properties of the object about
which one does not need to
already know and that are
visible or available without that
prior knowledge)
(e.g., blanket: to use as a bag to
carry things)
Generate a different function for
the object based on its bottom-up
features/properties (i.e., properties
of the object about which one
does not need to already know
and that are visible or available
without that prior knowledge)
(e.g., flashlight: to open a beer bottle)
Use an object with the same
function in a different context
(e.g., chair: to sit on, on the
beach)
Generate a new function for the
object based on its top-down
features/properties (i.e.,
properties of the object about
which one already knows and
that are not visible or available
without that prior knowledge)
(e.g., hairdryer: to blow leaves)
Use an object in the place of a
different object based on its
bottom-up features/properties
(i.e., properties of the object
about which one does not need
to already know and that are
visible or available without that
prior knowledge)
(e.g., bowl: to use as a hat)
Dissolve-deconstruct an object
into its components (or materials)
to allow for a different function
based on its bottom-up
features/properties (i.e., properties
of the object about which one
does not need to already know
and that are visible or available
without that prior knowledge)
(e.g., chair: to burn as firewood)
Modify/deconstruct an object to
allow for a new function based
on its top-down
features/properties (i.e.,
properties of the object about
which one already knows and
that are not visible or available
without that prior knowledge)
(e.g., football: cut it in half and
use to collect water)
Modify an object after a
different object to allow for a
different function based on its
bottom-up features/properties
(i.e., properties of the object
about which one does not need
to already know and that are
visible or available without that
prior knowledge)
(e.g., tennis racket: add straps to
use as snow-shoe)