Creativity And The Vulnerable Mind Flashcards
Defining creativity
Amabile (83) something created that is original and worthwhile. It should be novel, relevant and spontaneous.
But who is the judge?
Creativity
Previously seen as ‘god-given’
Terman (21) interested in giftedness, found that children on the higher end of the distribution tended to be healthier
The 3 P’s
Person, process, product
Person
1: genetic variables
Look to find a trait of creativity
It seems to run in families
Person
2: personality
A creative personality = intrinsic motivation, drive, commitment, hardworking, wiling to accept criticism and to improve
Many artists continue working even if they are ill/house bound - a drive to create/ discover. E.g. Da Vinci. Also, head & rivers, cut own nerve in arm and asked rivers to prove where sensitivity was lost
Extraordinary to what levels people take their need for knowledge
Person
3: cognitive
Extensive knowledge of relevant domains- expertise
Convergent thinkers: solving problems in a direct way, drawing on knowledge e.g. Mathematician
Divergent thinkers: thinking of alto been in a novel way, new solutions, draw on more brain areas
Process
4 stages
1) preparation, need a knowledge database and to be an expert
2) incubation, relax the frontal lobe so the rest of the brain can work together
3) inspiration, the ‘aha’ moment, focus of attention
4) evaluation, is it going to work?
Process
Introspects
David gray: it’s like opening a door in your brain that’s normally closed
Rouse Ball: you need to spend a lot of time thinking hard and getting nowhere
Nakamatsu: invented a creativity chamber- balance of regimentation and perfect freedom, calm, free association and meditation
Creativity and mental disorders
No great genius has ever existed without a strain of madness - Aristotle
Disorders linking to creativity
Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, personality disorders
John Nash- I wouldn’t have had good scientific ideas if I had thought more normally
Psychotic, visual hallucinations and dreamlike state. Won a nobel prize for his work
Schizophrenia
There is a higher prevalence of schizotypy (schizophrenia at the lower end of spectrum). Goes from normal dissociative states -> full schizophrenic state
Nettle (05) unusual experiences increase as psychoticism increases. Serious poets/artists have more UE than hobby and non artists
Bipolar disorder
Characterised by episodes of mania and major depression
Individuals with high drive: flight of ideas, restlessness, rapid speech, decreased sleep).
High prevalence in composers, writers, artists and poets. There is also a high prevalence of suicide amongst writers
Bipolar disorder 2
Bipolar is disabling, but people with hypo mania are very efficient and more creative than those with severe BD.
