LESSON 2
Creativity
LESSON
OBJECTIVES
Define creativity and explain its
importance in different aspects
of life.
Identify characteristics of
creative thinking and
problem-solving.
Apply creativity to real-world
problems and propose
innovative solutions
OBSERVE
What is the first element of the
painting that catches your eye?
What do you believe the
individual depicted in the
painting is doing?
Can you make a guess as to the
time of day depicted in the
scene?
CREATIVITY
Creativity may be defined as
"the quality of being able to
produce original work or
ideas in any field". It is the
cognitive activity that results
in new, novel, and unusual way
of viewing or solving a
problem.
CREATIVITY
Robert Sternberg has
proposed to apply the name
Creatology to scientific
studies of creativity.
FOUR CONCEPTS
OF CREATIVITY
Originality refers to the novelty,
uniqueness, or newness of the
idea.
Fluency refers to the need or
ability to generate a large number
of ideas to select a solution from.
FOUR CONCEPTS
OF CREATIVITY
Flexibility refers to the concept that
a creative person approaches a
given problem from many different
angles. All of their ideas are not
based off of the same theme.
Clarity refers to the idea that a
creative idea is not vague. It is
specific enough that others can
understand the idea, talk about it,
elaborate on it, and explore it further.
THREE COMPONENTS OF CREATIVITY
CREATIVE
EXPERTISE THINKING MOTIVATION
SKILLS
Expertise is the foundation of all creative work. The potential of
creativity is enhanced when individuals have abilities, knowledge,
proficiencies, and similar expertise in the field of endeavor.
Creative thinking skills encompasses personality characteristics
associated with creativity, the ability to use analogies as well as
talent to see the familiar in a different light. Development of creative
ideas involves intelligence, self-confidence, risk taking, ambiguity
and perseverance in the face of frustration.
Motivation is the desire to work on something because it's
interesting, involving, exciting, satisfying or personally challenging.
This motivational component is what turns creativity potential into
actual creative ideas.
Dimensions of Creativity
INTELLECTUAL
LEADERSHIP
Creative thinkers are able to
create new and promising
theories or exciting trends which
inspire others to follow up; in
essence starting a movement,
school of thought or trend.
SENSITIVITY TO
PROBLEMS
Being able to identify problems
that challenge others and open
up a new field of thought is a
mark of creative thinking.
ORIGINALITY
Creative thinkers are able to
find ideas or solutions that no
one else has been able to
come up with. Patents are
(supposedly) given out to
original ideas.
INGENUITY
Ingenious solutions are able to
solve problems in a neat and
surprising way or which also
reflect a new perspective at
looking at the problem.
UNUSUALNESS
Creative thinkers are able to
see the remote associations
between ideas. When word
association tests are given,
people in highly creative
literary fields like poets give a
higher proportion of unique
responses.
USEFULNESS
Solutions or ideas that are also
practical are also considered
more creative as the creator is
able to meet the constraints of
the problem while at the same
time producing unusual and
original solutions.
Factors Affecting Creativity
Having conflicting goals and objectives.
Competition in the present environment can hamper motives for
creative output. Concerns with job advancement or
opportunities as opposed to job stability or security mat affect
motives to be creative at work.
A too hectic environment that does not provide quiet time for
reflection and introspection.
A sterile environment that does not feed the senses.
Rigid rules and barriers that prevent us from gathering
information and or from connecting with others.
Fear of self-expression and of the judgment of others as well as
lack of confidence can severely limit ones creativity.
Negative thinking and self-criticism are also limiting factors of an
individual's creativity.
Organic causes like Dementia, frontal lobe syndrome or stroke may result
in multiple cognitive deficits including memory loss, impairment in abstract
thinking and difficulty coping with new tasks.
Stress is a distraction, which drains energy, which could otherwise be used
creatively.
Emotional depression is when we are depressed, our minds are filled with
self-deprecating thoughts, sometimes to the level of obsession. When we
are overwhelmed with negative self talk, poor concentration and
hopelessness, our brain has neither the time nor the resources to devote
to new and innovative ideas.
Techniques to enhance Creativity
Develop a broad and rich
knowledge base, as the
preparatory phase
Foster independence
Encourage curiosity and the use
of analogies
Enhance positive affect
Set aside a special thinking time
or thinking place
Try and use daily distractions to
practice being creative. Learn to
incorporate the imagination into
every activity, to use your
creative talents to improve your
daily life.
