23/8/2020 Creativity | Psychology Today International

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Creativity
Innovation

What Is Creativity?
An act of creativity can be grand and inspiring, such as creating
a beautiful painting or designing an innovative new product. But
an idea need not be artistic or world-changing to count as
creative. Life requires daily acts of ingenuity and novel
workarounds; in this sense, almost everyone possesses some
amount of creativity.

Research shows that creative thinking involves making new

connections between different regions of the brain, which is
accomplished by cultivating divergent thinking skills and
deliberately exposing oneself to new experiences and to
learning. While research psychologists are interested in tapping
innovative thinking, clinical psychologists sometimes encourage
patients to use artistic expression as a way to confront difficult
feelings.

It is in everyone's interest to nurture creative impulses,

regardless of one's day job. How can someone go about shaking
up the way they think? Creativity is associated with many factors
—including conducive environments, ideal collaborators,
personality traits, spirituality, and just a hint of serendipity.
Finding the right combination of these isn't always easy, but the
outcomes are well worth it.

How to Be More Creative

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23/8/2020 Creativity | Psychology Today International

Many people feel that they have no or very limited

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creative ability—even some who work in creative
fields—and it's true that certain individuals are
more creative than others. Fortunately, however,
creativity can be acquired and honed at any age or experience
level.

Innovation is not some divine gift; it’s actually the skilled

application of knowledge in new and exciting ways. It requires
changing up one's normal routine, stepping outside of typical
comfort zones, and paying attention to the present moment.

When learning new information, taking a break—either by

sleeping or simply enjoying a distraction—is another way of
allowing the unconscious mind to process the data in novel and
surprising ways. This often lays the groundwork for a creative
insight or breakthrough.

Read More

Why Letting Your Mind Wander Helps You Solve Problems

Creativity Begins With Craft

Why the Default for Our Minds Is "Closed"

How to Have a Breakthrough

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23/8/2020 Creativity | Psychology Today International

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Does Creativity Have a Dark Side?

Creativity is typically seen as a socially beneficial
trait. But some people use their imaginations in
pursuit of antisocial ends—what's sometimes
termed “dark creativity.”

A scam artist who devises a novel or foolproof scheme for luring

victims is exercising creativity. But as it’s being deployed to harm
others and enrich himself, most observers would find his scheme
objectionable, no matter how imaginative.

In recent years, researchers have sought a greater

understanding of how darkness and creativity interrelate. Some
studies have found that creativity is associated with narcissism;
others have identified a link between higher creativity and
reduced honesty and humility. In one study, dispositional
creativity was found to predict unethical behavior.

Ultimately, creativity may be better conceived as neither

inherently positive nor inherently negative. Instead, it may be
best to assess motivations and outcomes when judging the
value of any creative act.

Read More

Why Creativity Can Be Both Bright and Dark

When Creativity Is Used for Evil

Are Creative People More Deceptive?

Essential Reads

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