Psychology of Creativity and Innovation: Intro

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary focus of the first wave of creativity research?

Analyzing the personalities of exceptional creators (correct)

Exploring the role of creativity in leadership

Studying cognitive processes during creative behavior

Evaluating the economic impact of creativity

What shift occurred in creativity research during the 1970s and 1980s?

An increased interest in the cognitive approach (correct)

A focus on the economic aspects of creativity

A move towards physical assessments of creativity

A greater emphasis on artistic expression

Why do some artists feel uneasy about the scientific study of creativity?

They believe it can enhance their creativity

They worry it could limit artistic freedom

They think it could undermine their muse (correct)

They feel it promotes corporate interests

How can explaining creativity benefit society according to the content?

By identifying and nurturing unique creative talents Signup and view all the answers

What role does creativity play in effective leadership?

It enhances leaders' motivational capabilities Signup and view all the answers

What is a common concern regarding corporations and creativity?

They could stifle individual creative expression Signup and view all the answers

What was the emphasis of the third wave of creativity research?

An integration of cognitive and social aspects of creativity Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the reasons provided for why explaining creativity is important?

It helps in understanding the creative process Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason creativity has become increasingly important in modern society?

Many jobs are being automated or outsourced. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the U.S. GDP did the creative industries represent as of 2007?

11% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the societal trends contributing to the importance of creativity?

Higher educational requirements across all jobs. Signup and view all the answers

Which term is associated with the concept of creativity as described in the content?

Invention Signup and view all the answers

What framework is mentioned for understanding different aspects of creativity?

Four P framework Signup and view all the answers

What is a common trait shared by creative works?

They provide insight and enrich lives. Signup and view all the answers

Which perspective on creativity suggests a focus on societal influences?

Socio-cultural perspective Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is associated with the automation of jobs?

Lower wages in competitive industries. Signup and view all the answers

What does the individualist approach in creativity research primarily focus on?

The traits of creative individuals Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is included in the broad range of creative behaviors essential for understanding creativity?

Experimental laboratory science Signup and view all the answers

How do individualist researchers define creativity?

As a new mental combination by a single person Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of the sociocultural approach to studying creativity?

It emphasizes the role of cultural contexts in creativity Signup and view all the answers

In terms of contemporary developments, which of the following is deemed significant in the study of creativity?

New media such as video games and music videos Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the two major traditions of research in creativity studies?

Their interpretation of creativity definitions Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of creative behaviors that must be considered beyond European high arts?

Comic strips and animated cartoons Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the individualist definition of creativity?

A cognitive process related to one individual's thoughts Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Productive' creativity focus on?

Producing artistic or scientific products with specific techniques Signup and view all the answers

How does 'mini-c' creativity differ from 'Pro-c' creativity?

Mini-c occurs during learning, while Pro-c involves professional expertise without domain transformation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes 'Emergentive' creativity?

Involves new principles around which new schools flourish. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the 'Process' aspect in the four P framework of creativity?

The methods and stages involved in creative thought and work. Signup and view all the answers

Which category of creativity focuses on inventors and explorers?

Inventive Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Big-C' creativity represent?

High-level creativity that leads to significant breakthroughs. Signup and view all the answers

In the four P framework, what does the 'Person' component examine?

The traits associated with creative individuals. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best reflects the aim of 'Innovative' creativity?

Improving existing ideas through modifications. Signup and view all the answers

What do creative people in western societies believe about the moment of insight?

It is a spontaneous flash that requires no further execution. Signup and view all the answers

According to the beliefs about creativity in western cultures, what role does the unconscious mind play?

It is where radical ideas mysteriously emerge. Signup and view all the answers

What is the view on conventional thinking in the context of creativity?

It is often ignored by creative individuals. Signup and view all the answers

How do western beliefs view the role of outsiders in creative contributions?

Outsiders are assumed to be innovators due to their fresh viewpoint. Signup and view all the answers

What do people in western societies commonly assume about the execution of creative ideas?

Execution can be carried out by non-creative individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What is the misconception about the knowledge of creative individuals in specific domains?

Creativity diminishes with expertise in a domain. Signup and view all the answers

In the cultural context of creativity, how is the relationship between convention and inspiration viewed?

Conventional thinking hinders inspiration from the creative spirit. Signup and view all the answers

What underlying assumption do western societies have regarding the timing of creative insights?

Creative insights come unexpectedly and cannot be premeditated. Signup and view all the answers

How does being around other people affect creativity?

It interferes with creativity and is best avoided. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common belief about the timing of creative recognition?

Recognition typically occurs after death when society catches up. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects the belief about creativity as a personality trait?

Creativity is a trait similar to IQ, varying among individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What is the belief regarding the brain and creativity?

Creativity is believed to be based primarily in the right brain. Signup and view all the answers

What is the connection between creativity and mental illness as suggested?

Mental illness can enhance creativity and should remain untreated. Signup and view all the answers

What do creative activities contribute to an individual, according to the belief about creativity?

They express the inner being and contribute to personal fulfillment. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following beliefs is associated with the perception of creativity?

People lacking creativity face little hope of developing it. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of creative activities is often highlighted in therapeutic contexts?

They can contribute to healing and psychological health. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Course Information

Course Title: Psychology of Creativity and Innovation
Instructor: Professor Gamal Shehata
Course Code: ELC 307

Topic 1: Introduction

Chapter Outline
- Creativity: Overview
- Importance of Creativity
- Researching Creativity
- Explaining Creativity (individualist vs. sociocultural perspectives)
- Related Definitions of Creativity
- The Four P Framework
- Western Beliefs about Creativity
Creativity: An Overview
- Words like genius, talent, invention describe high human performance
- Creative acts feel like peak performance, enriching lives and providing insight
Importance of Creativity in Societal & Economic Trends
- Increasing globalization leads to greater industry competitiveness
- Sophisticated technology results in faster product development cycles
- Increasing automation and low-wage jobs are removing the need for creativity in many industries
- Leisure time and wealth in developed countries are driving increased demand for creative products
What is Already Known About Creativity?
- Vital for economic growth and competitiveness
- Organizations need to balance immediate and longer-term operational needs
- Creativity involves many aspects, not just R&D
- It is influenced, path dependent by prior experience
Manager Focus on Creativity
- Managers set priorities and strategies for organizations
- Managers control resources and filter external ideas (research, consultants, government)
- Managers' sense making forms the tone for discussion and action
Researching Creativity
- Creativity hasn't received much scientific attention
- Mostly studied in relation to fundamental mental functions (memory, reasoning, attention)
- Recent interest by psychology, sociology, anthropology, computer science.
Modern Creativity Research Waves
- First wave (1950s-1960s) focused on personalities of exceptional creators
- Second wave (1970s-1980s) focused on cognitive processes
- Third wave (1980s-1990s) combined the cognitive and other approaches
Why Explain Creativity?
- Some people worry that being too analytical interferes with creativity
- Concerns of corporations commodifying creativity
Reasons for Explaining Creativity
- Identifying and realizing unique talents
- Crucial leadership skill for responding to modern challenges
- Improving problem-solving skills
- Improving well-being
Reason no. 1: Explaining Creativity
- Helps identify every person's unique talents
- Crucial for tackling society's issues
Reason no. 2: Explaining Creativity
- Supports leaders in facing societal challenges effectively
- Valuable for motivating and influencing others
Reason no. 3: Explaining Creativity
- Enhances problem-solving abilities related to daily and societal issues, such as pollution, poverty and terrorism
Reason no. 4: Explaining Creativity
- Realizes the importance of positive experiences to mental health
- Creativity is linked to important experiences called 'flow'
Reason no. 5: Explaining Creativity
- Helps educators teach more effectively
- Creativity is critical in development and learning
Reason no. 6: Explaining Creativity
- Leads to a more creative society and enhances creativity in families, workplaces and institutions
Considering Creativity Across Cultures
- Broaden the range to non-western cultures
- Examine and include various forms of creative behavior
Two Definitions of Creativity
- Individualist Approach - focuses on the individual
- Sociocultural Approach - emphasizes how people work together in systems
Individualist Definition of Creativity
- Creativity is something new and novel
- Not repeating existing things
- Combination of existing things never before combined
Sociocultural Definition of Creativity
- Focuses on the generation of a valuable or novel product
- Assessed by a knowledgeable social group
- Acknowledges the creation of something new that is deemed valuable by a social group
Features/Characteristics of Sociocultural Definitions of Creativity
- The act or the person is assessed only after generation, not before
- The novelty and/or value of a product is assessed
- The product must be appropriate for the social context
Features/Characteristics of Individualist Definitions of Creativity, continued
- Creativity as an expression in the world (can't be seen or understood)
- Daydreams and unshared ideas don't count
Related Definitions of Creativity (Taylor, 1959)
- Expressive
- Productive
- Inventive
- Innovative
- Emergentive
Levels of Creativity (Kaufman & Beghetto, 2009)
- Mini-c, the creativity of learning
- Pro-c, expert creativity
The Four P Framework
- Product - Novel and appropriate products that are evaluated by others
- Person - Personality traits that lead to creativity, often indirectly through production of creative products
- Process - The processes involved in creative work or thought
- Press - External forces or pressures on the creative person or process
Western Cultural Model of Creativity Beliefs
- Insight as the essence of creativity
- Creative ideas mysteriously emerge from the unconscious
- Creative people reject convention to access pure inspiration
- Creative people often outsiders who see from fresh perspectives
- Creativity improves when people are alone
- Creativity is ahead of its time, recognized after-the-fact
Belief 7: Creativity as a Personality Trait
- Creativity is a general personality trait similar to IQ
- Creative people are typically creative in many aspects of their lives
- Individuals with less creativity in one aspect might not be creative in other aspects
Belief 8: Creativity in the Right Brain
- Creativity as a function of the right brain, often linked to the behavior and thought of creative individuals
Belief 9: Creativity and Mental Illness
- High correlation between illness and unique thoughts and insights
- Mental illness can be a source for creative ideas
Belief 10: Creativity as a Healing Activity
- Expression of the person's inner being
- Result in fulfillment and contribute to psychological well-being

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Description

This quiz covers the introduction of the 'Psychology of Creativity and Innovation' course. Explore key concepts of creativity, its importance in society, and various perspectives on understanding creativity. Delve into the definitions and frameworks that shape our understanding of creative processes.