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Creativity

Comprehending how different human beings evolve original and relevant thoughts relating to a specific subject has caught the attention of many professionals. This phenomenon called creativity entails numerous questions and explanations which, till this day, are being studied. Professionals are exploring for an explanation as to how an individual is capable of creating a solution which has never been exposed. Kutzber and Amabile (2001) summarized a creative research which states that: “In all of the approaches, the focus has rested squearely on the individual, highlighting individual cognitive processing, stable individual difference and the effects of the external environment on the individual.” In other words, individuals may not have a constant creative thought process but a specific moment, experience, knowledge, emotion or thought has the ability to spark a waterfall of creative approaches or concepts over a subject. To fully understand creativity, it is crucial to observe major theoretical perspectives relating to the cognitive aspects of creativity. The ability to perceive a specific concept in a diverse structure and be placed into different patterns causing an original idea is a form of creativity. By living in a competitive aura, many human beings desire the ability to acquire creative train of thoughts, making this subject extremely popular.

Overview of the Four Cognitive Approaches to Creativity

There are four well- defined stages which encompass a creative thought. First stage is known as preparation which is the knowledge gained over a matter. This stage requires the individual to indulge themselves with information on a specific subject. The ability to completely comprehend what is being learned or discussed is extremely crucial. Following preparation is incubation, which includes distractions. Over-thinking a problem may cause strain which creates frustration and a halt to the thinking process. Therefore, keeping a tranquil sensation and distracting one-self from the pressure is obligatory. During this stage, the individual takes his or her mind off of the problem and focuses on another. After incubation, perhaps the most important stage arises which is illumination; this is where a sudden clue ascends creating a grand idea. Verifying that the insight is correct is the final step.

Attention linked to Creativity

Individuals who focus on specific details more than others have a higher potential of acquiring endless possibilities relating to a certain problem. According to Titus Groan, the wider the scope of attention, the more likely creative re-combinations will occur. ( What is creativity) Attention is well defined as the cognitive process where an individual solely concentrates on one aspect of their surrounding or a specific problem. When an individual focuses on a problem or task, he or she is able to associate certain details or combinations to broaden the answer. The more an individual pays attention, the greater amount of information is filtered into the memory causing an abundance of knowledge. “Others have called attention to the importance of “problem finding” and creative thinking which often leads to successful innovations (Getzels and Csikszentmihalyi 1976; Perkins 1982).” A person who does not fully understand or concentrate may not have the ability to link minor details or possibilities. Fully comprehending a theme triggers individuals to link different possibilities and think of solutions no one else imagined. Due to their interest, when an individual is passionate over a certain subject or hobby, their attention is solely focused on this thought. Losing oneself in a thought over a hobby may trigger an abundance of different views merely because this individual is extremely passionate and is determined to think outside of the box.

Setting and Environment Influence on Creativity

Various studies and experiments have been constructed to analyze the debate of whether or not socio-economic differences serve as an aid to creativity. A study written by Anna Craft, published by Society for Educational Studies, stated that the economy demands creativity, and a healthy economy is necessary to a wealthy society which then produces assets for general consumption; better public amenities and services. But it also produces individual assets. This study raises the discussion of the underlying competitiveness between each socio-economic framework. Another study made by Robert M. Smith concluded that there is a significant difference in creative thought favoring the higher socioeconomic child in most verbal areas. Throughout this analysis, the point of view in which several professionals’ link individuals’ environmental surroundings to their ability to expand their cognitive processes and create a unique solution will be discussed. “The componential model of creativity includes all factors that contribute to creativity- person factors as well as work environment variables (Professor Teresa M. Amabile).” The best way to fully comprehend the idea of the environmental influence on a creative thought is by forming an example. Thus, if an individual is placed in an enclosed setting where there is constant screaming, cries and fights, then they are prone to produce dark thoughts. Placing an individual in a serene, colorful, calm and soothing aura may lead to the possibility of optimistic thoughts. If we take this example in an artists’ point of view, which one is more likely to draw the astonishing shadowy painting and which one would draw the ambiguous upbeat depiction? The settings individuals are placed in have potential of affecting the cognitive perception of an individual and spark an idea which another individual would not enlighten. In this rapidly changing environment, the complexity of disputes and dilemmas requires solutions that combine the determination, knowledge and skills of people with diverse perspectives. To grasp a detailed comprehension of competition influencing creativity an example of an experiment is stated in the following: M.K. Raina studied the Effect of Competition on Creativity. Her experiment was “designed to study the effect of competition on ideational fluency and flexibility. A sample of 40 students - 20 in Experimental and 20 in the Control Group matched for intelligence, age, class and creativity was used. Both the Groups were administered Test of Imagination (Product Improvement and Unusual Uses) and the results showed that the Experimental Group in this and under the conditions of this study differed significantly in the mean number of ideas and flexibility of ideas. The ratio between the means of the two groups for Fluency and Flexibility was 4.30 and 5.43 respectively, significant at .01 level of confidence. The replication of this study was also suggested on large and different samples.” An individual overcoming a competitive force is required to fulfill expectations. Therefore, this motivation, influenced by previous experiences, may trigger a spark while ascending through the cognitive steps toward a creative thought. A creative mind exploits itself in unexpected techniques, therefore, ambition and motivation potentially releases a type of stimuli which triggers an idea to erupt during the incubation stage of cognitive process. According to Diana M. Raab, the editor of Writers and Their Notebooks, when we are captured by something, our momentum is boosted and things can take off, especially if we have unstructured environments in which to enjoy the process. By having momentum, ambition, and competitiveness an individual views creativity as a problem finding concept requiring thinkers to view the situation in new ways. These individuals strive to uncover a unique explanation or idea, therefore, viewing the problem in a difference way than others would analyze it, may influence a diverse solution. In other words, certain individuals understand or view a problem differently causing a different creation. Aiming for a diverse or broader view on a subject is what individuals strive for when exploring a creative thought.