Understanding Creativity: The Interplay of Biological, Psychological, and Social Factors [Hardcover]

John S. Dacey (Author), Kathleen H. Lennon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0787940321 | ISBN-13: 978-0787940324 | Publication Date: November 17, 1998 | Edition: 1

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

Editorial Reviews

Review

"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 Inside Flap

The topic of creativity is inherently fascinating, and interest in it is regularly reinvigorated as new findings are uncovered. For all that we know about creativity, much remains to be fully understood, and questions about it abound: What is creativity? Is it one of the factors of intelligence, or is it a separate entity from intelligence? Are we born with a creativity quotient? Can creativity be developed? And, if so, can creativity continue to develop across the lifespan? Can parents enhance their children's creativity through conscious effort? Can teachers develop their students' creativity through focused teaching? Can organizations enhance their employees' creativity through targeted professional development? Can an individual become more creative through determination and effort? How much does?or can?the social environment influence creativity?In Understanding Creativity, authors 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. In clear and lively language, 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.The wealth of information in this important book can help to expand our knowledge and understanding of the creative process and also act as a guide to enhancing our powers of creativity.Unveiling the Mysteries of CreativityUnderstanding Creativity beautifully reveals the intricacies of the creative process and advances an innovative new view that can help anyone inte

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 298 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (November 17, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787940321
• ISBN-13: 978-0787940324
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #654,604 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thick, March 3, 2009

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K. Mattis - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Understanding Creativity: The Interplay of Biological, Psychological, and Social Factors (Hardcover)

Dacey did a superb job of connecting various facets of creativity in this one book, hence the thickness of the provided information. There was a great deal of overlap between the sections - bio, psycho, and social.