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Barron Welsh Art Scale

A non-verbal and remarkably valid measure of creativity

Frank Barron & George S. Welsh

The Barron-Welsh Art Scale (BWAS) Flower logo for Barron-Welsh has been used in many studies of creativity. It does not require respondents to read or write and may be administered in any language to children and adults.

The new Manual/Sampler Set now includes an excellent chapter about the BWAS written by Gough, Hall, and Bradley (1996) "Forty Years of Experience with the Barron-Welsh".

 

Paper by
mail

Digital download (PDF)

BWASS Manual/Sampler Set

Includes non-reproducible instrument and scoring key marked “sample”

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BWASS Reproduction Permission

Whether you order the paper form or the PDF/ electronic form, you will receive just one copy and written permission to reproduce/ administer the purchased number. Includes a copy of the instrument and scoring key - does not include Manual

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Quantity 101-150 permissions envelope icon $120.00 PDF icon
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Quantity 201-300 permissions envelope icon $210.00 PDF icon
Quantity 301-400 permissions envelope icon $260.00 PDF icon
Quantity 401-500 permissions envelope icon $300.00 PDF icon
For larger quantities, please contact us      

Translations of this instrument are available. For a complete list of translations, along with more details on our translation policy, please visit our translations index page.

About the Barron Welsh Art Scale

Barron’s own views concerning the psychological nature of the dimension defined by scores on the BWAS include elements of personal style, social attitudes, and libidinal drives (Barron, 1953a, 1963). Sample images from the BWAS High scorers on the scale manifest greater strength of primary processes in ego functioning, such as symbolization, condensation, and substitution. “Reality” is thereby transmuted into new forms and into creative individual visions. Secondary processes stress logic, planfulness, goal directedness, and adherence to form. The truly creative person has access to the primary, even primitive, functions of the ego, but not at the cost of abandoning logical reality.

Whatever the ultimate nature of the configuration or style of personality captured in scores on the BWAS—and the search for such an absolute may be as futile and meaningless as a search for the philosopher’s stone—there is no doubt about the convergence of our own studies as well as those cited in the appended bibliography in showing that the measures do identify creative talent, and that they do this independently of intelligence, personal soundness, gender, age, and other powerful determinants that all too often limit the utility of our assessment tools.