In this lesson, we will attempt to define creativity. Just like our discussion of art, this will not prove to be a simple task. In the process of investigating creativity, we will learn about how concepts and explanations of creativity have shifted over time, how creativity is related to, but distinct from other concepts like intelligence, why the study of creativity is important, how creativity has been approached by scientists and whether or not creativity is a capacity that can be improved.

Outline of Questions and Concepts Explored in Lesson 3

Why Study Creativity?

We will explore why the scholarly study of creativity is so important

How has the Study of Creativity been Approached in the Past?

From the Greeks to Abraham Maslow – creativity has been of interest to thinkers throughout history

How Can we Define Creativity?

We will learn the standard definitions and examine what creativity means from different perspectives

Can Creativity be Measured?

We will look at the pros and cons of 4 measures of creativity.

Is there a Relationship between Creativity and Intelligence?

We will investigate correlations between creativity and intelligence

Is Creativity a General Skill or a Specific One?

We will also examine correlations among different creative skills and tasks

If Creativity is Important Why isn’t it Emphasized more in Research and Education?

We will discuss why creativity is hard to study and encourage in the classroom

How can we Improve Creativity?

We will demonstrate 3 different ways creativity has been enhanced according to research