CRATIVITY AS A DIMENSION UNIT V

Creativity Notes

Derivational Meaning

The word creativity is derived from the Latin word "creare", meaning "to create, make, or produce something new."

Definitions of Creativity by Experts

Barron's Definition

Frank Barron defined creativity as "the ability to bring something new into existence that is useful and valuable."

J.P. Guilford’s Definition

J.P. Guilford defined creativity as "a process of generating new ideas, divergent thinking, and problem-solving in unique ways."

Father of Creativity

J.P. Guilford is known as the "Father of Modern Creativity Research."

Characteristics of Creativity

• Originality – Thinking in unique and new ways.
• Fluency – Generating a large number of ideas.
• Flexibility – Adapting to different situations and perspectives.
• Elaboration – Developing ideas in detail.
• Curiosity – Asking questions and seeking new knowledge.
• Imagination – Visualizing possibilities beyond the ordinary.
• Risk-Taking – Willingness to take risks and explore unknown areas.

Stages of Creativity (Graham Wallas)

1. Preparation – Gathering information and understanding the problem.
2. Incubation – Subconscious processing of ideas.
3. Illumination – The "aha" moment when a creative idea strikes.
4. Verification – Evaluating and refining the idea for practical use.

Educational Implications of Creativity

• Promotes problem-solving skills.
• Encourages divergent thinking.
• Fosters imagination and innovation.
• Recognizes individual learning.
• Reduces rote learning.
• Encourages expression.
• Develops lifelong learners.

E. Paul Torrance

E. Paul Torrance, known as the "Father of Creativity", made significant contributions to creativity research.

Contributions

• Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) – A widely used test to measure creativity.
• Torrance defined creativity as "a process of sensing problems, making guesses, testing hypotheses, and communicating results."

Characteristics of Creative People

• Originality
• Curiosity
• Risk-taking
• Persistence
• Imagination

Educational Implications

• Encourages divergent thinking.
• Focuses on problem-solving.
• Nurtures creativity in education.
• Accepts uniqueness.
• Provides freedom to explore.