Understanding Creativity: The Interplay of Biological, Psychological, and Social Factors / Edition 1

by John S. Dacey, Kathleen H. Lennon

Overview

This book combines the wonder and awe of human creativity with the complexity of its study. The authors advance the 'biopsychosocial' perspective as a model of the creative process. . . . This new perspective promises to further our understanding of the 'intricacies of the creative mind.' In the process of studying this book, readers may increase the probability of enhancing their own creativity.
—Richard E. Ripple, professor, educational and developmental psychology, Cornell University

In Understanding Creativity John S. Dacey and Kathleen H. Lennon offer a thorough examination of the three factors—biological, psychological, and social—that contribute to the creative process. This compelling book explores a breadth of topics on creativity including: how creative people operate as successful and imaginative problem solvers, the essential role self-control plays in realizing creative potential, and the most current discoveries about how the brain works on the neuronal and chemical levels. Most important, the book presents an innovative model that integrates the biological, psychological, and social elements and reflects the most significant advances in current creativity research.

Understanding Creativity beautifully reveals the intricacies of the creative process and advances an innovative new view that can help anyone interested in the creative process to not only better understand it-but to enhance it.

Table of Contents

Part One: Introduction

1. The Many Components of Creativity

2. A Brief History of the Concept of Creativity

Part Two: Social Factors

3. The Role of the Family

4. The Role of the Social Context

Part Three: Psychological Factors

5. Ten Traits that Contribute to the Creative Personality

6. The Special Contribution of Self-Control

7. The Formation of Creative Personality Traits

8. Creative Cognitive Processes

9. Creative Problem Solving

Part Four: Biological Factors

10. The Brain at the Cellular Level

11. The Hemispheres of the Brain

Part Five: Integration

12. A New Biopsychosocial Explanation of Creativity

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780787940324
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	11/30/1998
Series:	Health and Psychology Series
Pages:	310
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.07(h) x 1.07(d)

About the Author

JOHN S. DACEY is professor of developmental psychology in the Department of Counseling, Developmental Psychology, and Research Methods at Boston College. He is the author or coauthor of several psychology textbooks on child, adolescent, and lifespan development.

KATHLEEN H. LENNON teaches courses in the psychology of adult development at Framingham State College.

Table of Contents

Part One: Introduction.

1. The Many Components of Creativity.

2. A Brief History of the Concept of Creativity.

Part Two: Social Factors.

3. The Role of the Family.

4. The Role of the Social Context.

Part Three: Psychological Factors.

5. Ten Traits that Contribute to the Creative Personality.

6. The Special Contribution of Self-Control.

7. The Formation of Creative Personality Traits.

8. Creative Cognitive Processes.

9. Creative Problem Solving.

Part Four: Biological Factors.

10. The Brain at the Cellular Level.

11. The Hemispheres of the Brain.

Part Five: Integration.

12. A New Biopsychosocial Explanation of Creativity.

What People are Saying About This

Susan P. Besemer

Dacey and Lennon have created a new way of looking at creativity and creative problem-solving. Taking a giant step beyond traditional psychological and psychosocial models, the authors have joined biological research with that from the fields of cognitive psychology and social psychology. This highly integrated approach provides a more comprehensive understanding of the multi-faceted findings of creativity research. The authors considered the reciprocal effects of the many diverse elements of their model on the development of individual creativity. In addition to reviewing current research, they set the stage for further scholarship, where their theoretical hypothesis can be empirically explored. A thought provoking and fascinating book.
— Susan Besemer, Professor, SUNY College at Fredonia

Richard E. Ripple

This book by Dacey and Lennon combines the wonder and awe of human creativity with the complexity of its study. The authors advance the 'biopsychosocial' perspective as a model of the creative process.... In the process of studying this book, readers may increase the probability of enhancing their own creativity.
— Richard E. Ripple, Professor, Cornell University

Editorial Reviews

"This book by Dacey and Lennon combines the wonder and awe of human creativity with the complexity of its study. The authors advance the 'biopsychosocial' perspective as a model of the creative process.... This new perspective promises to further our understanding of the 'intricacies of the creative mind.' In the process of studying this book, readers may increase the probability of enhancing their own creativity." (Richard E. Ripple, professor, educational and developmental psychology, Cornell University)

"Many intriguing ideas. Solidly researched and up-to-date. A must read for anyone interested in the puzzle of creativity." (David F. Hayes, Peabody and Brown)

"Dacey and Lennon have created a new way of looking at creativity and creative problem solving. Taking a giant step beyond traditional psychological and psychosocial models, the authors have joined biological research with that from the fields of cognitive psychology and social psychology. This highly integrated approach provides a more comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted findings of creativity research. The authors consider the reciprocal effects of the many diverse elements of their model on the development of individual creativity. In addition to reviewing current research, they set the stage for further scholarship, where their theoretical hypotheses can be empirically explored. A thought-provoking and fascinating work." (Susan Besemer, professor, SUNY College at Fredonia)

From the Publisher

Examines biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to the creative process, exploring aspects of creativity such as problem solving, the role of self-control, and the role of neuronal and chemical factors in the brain. Looks at components of creativity, the role of the family, and the formation of creative personality traits, and reports on the meaning of research in the brain at the cellular level and the functions of the hemispheres of the brain. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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