Creativity plays a central role in children's development and well-being, being considered a crucial skill to thrive in their personal and professional lives. Given its importance, researchers and educators highlighted the need to enhance creativity in individuals across the lifespan. However, it is crucial to understand how interventions and…

Theories of the creative process--including psychoanalytic, Gestalt, association, perceptual, humanistic, cognitive-developmental, and composite theories--are summarized and a new one offered, based on studies of creative scientists' descriptions of their work.

Research is reviewed that indicates that originality and creativity may increase after mundane or noncreative responses are given. Note: For related information, see EC 120 232-238. (CL)

The article discusses and reviews some of the literature pertaining to the maximization of the number of creative persons within a society and the cultural influences that might bring about such a result. (DLS)

This paper proposes the use of hypermedia as a design framework for creativity facilitation programs. It includes an overview of the major schools of thought in creativity, a review of fundamental concepts in hypertext and hypermedia, a discussion of design issues related to hypermedia-based creativity facilitation programs, and suggestions for…

Research based effectiveness information is given for the following major instructional materials: Purdue Creative Thinking Program, Productive Thinking Program, Creative Problem Solving Program, Creative Studies Project, Imigi/Craft Series, Thinking Creatively, New Directions in Creativity, and the Peabody Language Development Kits. (DB)

The review of the literature cites approaches for enhancing the strengths of gifted disadvantaged youth through such "creative positives" as creative problem solving, art activities, dramatics and storytelling, and creative writing. (CL)

Using tenets from Vedic science and quantum physics, this model of the creative process suggests that the unified field of creation is pure consciousness, and that the development of the creative process within individuals mirrors the creative process within the universe. Rational and supra-rational creative thinking techniques are also described.…

Twenty-four studies on creativity and bilingualism are compared in a table and text. Twenty of the studies found bilinguals to be more creative than monolinguals. Four studies found an interaction between sex and bilingualism. (DB)

Research reports are reviewed which illustrate the close ties between creativity and entrepreneurship. Comparisons of the characteristics and behavior typical of creative individuals and entrepreneurial individuals indicate the existence of striking similarities. (JDD)

Studies are cited which examine the role of independence in fostering creativity in children. Autonomy in parent-child relations and in teacher-pupil relations is linked to creativity, but the author cautions that the optimum amount of freedom may depend on the task and the type of creativity considered. (CL)

Postulates that creativity is a state of being challenged by the socialization process in Western civilization, which stifles creativity from early childhood. Explores definitions and theories of creativity, the functions of the social ego, and the different modes of being. Discusses implications for education. (Author/CR)

This paper outlines cognitive processes underpinning creative ability, considers their development, and discusses the creative potential of the individual at various life stages. Creativity is viewed as an outcome of self-directed transformational activity. The roles of fantasy and imagination are discussed, as is the contrast between public and…

This paper discusses the dialectics of creativity, especially in group behavior; notes how stabilizing influences result in hard-programed behavior; outlines habits of thinking, learning, and behaving that help in developing creative potential; and presents exercises to encourage flexibility in the group creative process and counter inhibiting…

The article reviews the literature on two questions: what is the normal course of creative development, and do peak periods exist during which people are most open to efforts to foster creative abilities. Six specific periods are identified as peak periods of creative growth. (DB)