Knowing and thinking: a new theory of creativity

Abstract

<p>Elements of previous models and concepts of cognition, intelligence and learning are integrated with a number of significant themes in creativity research. A simplifying theory of creativity is presented which identifies four basic underlying mental operations (two modes of knowledge apprehension and two modes of knowledge utilization). These four operations in turn are the basis for a dynamic model of the creative process that describes the stages of problem discovery, definition, solution, and solution implementation.</p> <p>Elements of previous models and concepts of cognition, intelligence and learning are integrated with a number of significant themes in creativity research. A simplifying theory of creativity is presented which identifies four basic underlying mental operations (two modes of knowledge apprehension and two modes of knowledge utilization). These four operations in turn are the basis for a dynamic model of the creative process that describes the stages of problem discovery, definition, solution, and solution implementation.</p> <p>Elements of previous models and concepts of cognition, intelligence and learning are integrated with a number of significant themes in creativity research. A simplifying theory of creativity is presented which identifies four basic underlying mental operations (two modes of knowledge apprehension and two modes of knowledge utilization). These four operations in turn are the basis for a dynamic model of the creative process that describes the stages of problem discovery, definition, solution, and solution implementation.</p> <p>Elements of previous models and concepts of cognition, intelligence and learning are integrated with a number of significant themes in creativity research. A simplifying theory of creativity is presented which identifies four basic underlying mental operations (two modes of knowledge apprehension and two modes of knowledge utilization). These four operations in turn are the basis for a dynamic model of the creative process that describes the stages of problem discovery, definition, solution, and solution implementation.</p> <p>Elements of previous models and concepts of cognition, intelligence and learning are integrated with a number of significant themes in creativity research. A simplifying theory of creativity is presented which identifies four basic underlying mental operations (two modes of knowledge apprehension and two modes of knowledge utilization). These four operations in turn are the basis for a dynamic model of the creative process that describes the stages of problem discovery, definition, solution, and solution implementation. The development of a psychological instrument that measures the constructs of the theory is discussed and empirical evaluations of the instrument's psychometric properties in terms of both reliability and validity are presented. Individual preferences for particular stages of this process were found to be related to occupation and to level of organizational responsibility. It was also found that preference for problem discovery, the first stage of the creative process, may be underrepresented in industrial and business organizations. Implications are discussed.</p>