The study of creativity: from genius to cognitive science

Abstract

This paper presents a historical review of the spectrum of views taken by students of creativity. The review centers on the notion of genius, which assumes that creative individuals make conceptual leaps far ‘outside the box’. One modern variant of this view, the idea that creativity depends on on psychopathology, is discussed. This paper then considers the dominant view in psychology, which assumes that a group of cognitive and personality characteristics sets creative individuals apart, although we all possess these characteristics to varying degrees. Finally, the author examines the possibility that there are no differences in cognition or personality between creative and ordinary individuals. In this view, even the most radically new creative achievements are firmly built on the past, rather than being the result of rejection of the past. Evidence for this conceptualization of creativity is discussed and its implications for policy decisions are examined.

Keywords:

• creativity and public policy
• ordinary thinking and creativity
• CHOICES model of creativity

Acknowledgements

Thanks are due to two reviewers and to Christopher Bilton for comments on an earlier version of this paper.