Creativity

Extracted Attributes

• Etymology

  Derived from the Latin term 'creare', meaning 'to create'.

• Output Types

  Intangible (theories, musical compositions, jokes) and physical (inventions, paintings, jewelry).

• Discrepancy Note

  Wikidata entry Q679584 refers to a specific religious movement founded in 1973, which is distinct from the general cognitive topic of creativity.

• Core Definition Criteria

  The production of ideas or works that are both novel (original) and valuable (useful/worthwhile).

• Primary Scholarly Disciplines

  Psychology, business studies, cognitive science, education, philosophy, and the arts.

• Stages of the Creative Process

  Preparation, incubation, illumination, and verification (as defined by Graham Wallas in 1926).

Timeline

• The word 'create' appears in English in Chaucer's The Parson's Tale, initially referring to divine creation. (Source: Wikipedia)

  1301-01-01

• The modern conception of human creativity begins to emerge during the Renaissance, driven by humanist thought. (Source: Wikipedia)

  1450-01-01

• Graham Wallas publishes the four-stage model of the creative process: preparation, incubation, illumination, and verification. (Source: Web Search)

  1926-01-01

• James Webb Young publishes 'A Technique for Producing Ideas', outlining a five-step process for creative connection. (Source: Web Search)

  1940-01-01

• At a CES 2026 panel, industry leaders Bob Sternfels and Hemant Taneja advocate for creativity as a vital human skill to survive the AI-driven job market disruption. (Source: Document c08935b9-87d2-439d-a5ee-c1b4d7dc4dcf)

  2026-01-07

Creativity

Creativity is the ability to form novel and valuable ideas or works using one's imagination. Products of creativity may be intangible (e.g. an idea, scientific theory, literary work, musical composition, or joke), or a physical object (e.g. an invention, dish or meal, piece of jewelry, costume, or a painting). Creativity may also describe the ability to find new solutions to problems or new methods to accomplish a goal. Therefore, creativity enables people to solve problems in new ways. Most ancient cultures (including Ancient Greece, Ancient China, and Ancient India) lacked the concept of creativity, seeing art as a form of discovery rather than a form of creation. In the Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition, creativity is seen as the sole province of God, and human creativity was considered an expression of God's work; the modern conception of creativity came about during the Renaissance, influenced by humanist ideas. Scholarly interest in creativity is found in several disciplines, primarily psychology, business studies, and cognitive science. It is also present in education and the humanities (including philosophy and the arts).

Web Search Results

• How Scholars Define Creativity - Google Sites

  Creativity is the ability to combine ideas, things, techniques, or approaches in a new way (Romey, 1970). Creativity is typically defined as the ability to generate novel associations that are adaptive in some way (Ward, Thompson‐Lake, Ely, & Kaminski, 2008). Creativity is often vital to organizational effectiveness (Carson, & Carson, 1993). Creativity is often mistakenly used as a synonym for originality (Balkin, 1990). Creativity is often obvious in young children (Sternberg, 2006). Creativity is more than mere spontaneity (Young, 1985). Creativity is a matter of intuition and inspiration (De Bono, 1991). Creativity is thinking; it just happens to be thinking that leads to results that we think are great (Amabile, 1996). [...] Creativity is the generation of new and useful ideas by individual employees (Zhou, & George, 2001). Creativity is the experience of people who are widely recognized for their creative work (Amabile, 1985). Creativity is essential to human progress (Hennessey, & Amabile, 2010). Creativity is defined as something independent of knowledge (Cronbach, & Meehl, 1955). Creativity is defined as the process of using imagination and skill to invent a unique product or thought (Scott, 1995). Creativity is defined as the ability to create (Kristeller, 1983). Creativity is an extremely complex phenomenon (Simonton, 2012). Creativity is defined as having four stages that include: preparation, incubation, illumination and verification (Wallas, 1926). [...] Creativity is a capacity which is inherent in the nature of man (Dudek, 1974). Creativity is a multi-dimensional construct (Treffinger, & Poggio, 1972). Creativity is a necessary skill for students to become problem solvers (Webb, & Rule, 2012). Creativity is a word with too much baggage (Brabazon, 2012). Creativity is a quality of the person (Amabile, & Pillemer, 2012). Creativity is a relatively new concept (Armentano, 2012). Creativity is often thought of as being related to art rather than science (Donohue-Porter, 2012). Creativity is a topic of study across many disciplines (Beaussart, Andrews, & Kaufman, 2012). Creativity is a precursor to innovation and the cornerstone of entrepreneurship (Katz-Buonincontro, 2012).

• What is creativity? - CSUN

  Creativity is any act, idea, or product that changes an existing domain, or that transforms an existing domain into a new one...What counts is whether the novelty he or she produces is accepted for inclusion in the domain." (page 28) Characteristics of the creative personality: (pages 58-73) 1. Creative individuals have a great deal of energy, but they are also often quiet and at rest. 2. Creative individuals tend to be smart, yet also naive at the same time. 3. Creative individuals have a combination of playfulness and discipline, or responsibility and irresponsibility. 4. Creative individuals alternate between imagination and fantasy ant one end, and rooted sense of reality at the other. [...] ##### California State University, Northridge ## What is creativity? From Human Motivation, 3rd ed., by Robert E. Franken: Creativity is defined as the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others. (page 396) Three reasons why people are motivated to be creative: 1. need for novel, varied, and complex stimulation 2. need to communicate ideas and values 3. need to solve problems (page 396) [...] In order to be creative, you need to be able to view things in new ways or from a different perspective. Among other things, you need to be able to generate new possibilities or new alternatives. Tests of creativity measure not only the number of alternatives that people can generate but the uniqueness of those alternatives. the ability to generate alternatives or to see things uniquely does not occur by change; it is linked to other, more fundamental qualities of thinking, such as flexibility, tolerance of ambiguity or unpredictability, and the enjoyment of things heretofore unknown. (page 394) From Creativity - Beyond the Myth of Genius, by Robert W. Weisberg.

• Creativity - Wikipedia

  Creativity in general is usually distinguished from innovation in particular, where the emphasis is on implementation. Academics and authors Teresa Amabile and Michael Pratt defined creativity as the production of novel and useful ideas and innovation as the implementation of creative ideas,( while the OECD and Eurostat stated that "innovation is more than a new idea or an invention; an innovation requires implementation, either by being put into active use or by being made available for use by other parties, firms, individuals, or organizations."( There is also emotional creativity,( which is described as a pattern of cognitive abilities and personality traits related to originality and appropriateness in emotional experience.( Conceptual history [edit] [...] In different fields [edit] ### Art [edit] Main article: The arts Creativity is a fundamental component of the creative arts and design practice. It allows artists and designers to generate innovative ideas, solve complex problems, create products and experiences that are meaningful and impactful, stay ahead of trends, and anticipate future needs. Author Austin Kleon asserts that all creative work builds on what came before. Embracing influences and educating oneself in the work of others is conducive to creativity.( ### Neuroscience [edit] [...] Etymology [edit] The English word "creativity" comes from the Latin term _creare_ (meaning "to create"). Its derivational suffixes also come from Latin. The word "create" appeared in English as early as the 14th century—notably in Chaucer's The Parson's Tale( to indicate divine creation.( The modern meaning of creativity in reference to human creation did not emerge until after the Age of Enlightenment._[citation needed_] Definition [edit] In a summary of scientific research into creativity, psychology professor Michael Mumford wrote, "We seem to have reached a general agreement that creativity involves the production of novel, useful products."( in psychologist Robert Sternberg's words, creativity produces "something original and worthwhile".(

• Creativity: How to Unlock Your Hidden Creative Genius - James Clear

  ## What is Creativity? Let's define creativity. The creative process is the act of making new connections between old ideas or recognizing relationships between concepts. Creative thinking is not about generating something new from a blank slate, but rather about taking what is already present and combining those bits and pieces in a way that has not been done previously. While being creative isn't easy, nearly all great ideas follow a similar creative process. In 1940, an advertising executive named James Webb Young published a short guide titled, A Technique for Producing Ideas. Young believed the process of creative connection always occurred in five steps. ## The Creative Process

• Cultivate Your Creativity (And Why It's Vital to Everyone!)

  ### Understanding Creativity Creativity is often misunderstood as a talent for something that someone is born with—a mystical ability reserved for painters, musicians, and writers. And while that’s true in part, creativity is so much more. It’s an inherently human gift each of us processes. Creativity is a skill that can be developed and refined regardless of your profession or hobbies. It’s about seeing the world in new ways, finding patterns, and solving problems with an open mind and a willing heart. ### Why Creativity is Vital [...] Moreover, creativity is key to navigating the complexities and uncertainties of today’s fast-paced business world. It enables teams to adapt to changes more swiftly and find novel ways to overcome challenges, ensuring long-term sustainability and growth. Beyond its role in innovation and problem-solving, creativity enhances collaboration and communication within teams. It encourages diverse thinking and the exchange of ideas, fostering an inclusive workplace where different perspectives are valued and leveraged for collective success. In essence, creativity in the workplace is not a luxury but a necessity. It drives progress, cultivates a vibrant and inclusive company culture, and equips businesses to navigate the challenges of the modern world with agility and foresight. By investing in [...] In addition to fueling innovation and enhancing problem-solving skills, creativity has profound effects on our well-being. Engaging in creative activities has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It provides a healthy outlet for expressing emotions, processing experiences, and achieving a state of flow where time seems to stand still and one’s worries fade away. This flow state boosts our mood and enhances our self-esteem and sense of accomplishment. Creativity nurtures our mental and emotional health by allowing us to express ourselves uniquely and meaningfully, making us more resilient and happier individuals. The act of creating, therefore, is not just about producing something new or solving problems—it’s about caring for our inner selves, healing, and finding joy in

• Country

  United States

• Founder

  Matthew F. Hale

• Instance Of

  Q1826286

• Inception Date

  1/1/1973