The Author writes, "I see myself as a scientist who has discovered some very important factors in the development of individuals and civilizations; and my theory is an explanation of both what makes people highly creative and what makes societies grow, prosper, and decline."
The author encapsulates his theory with the acronym GAM/DP.
GAM -- Individual: Three factors contribute to the development of personality and creativity of the individual. Good genetic endowment (G) e.g., intelligence, temperaments, specific talents, and by valid assistances (A) e.g., from parents, schools, books when combined with major misfortunes (M) of youth e.g., early parental death, physical infirmity, stimulates a personality which conflicts with society, providing in that tension material for creativity.
DP -- Society: A society is creative where it develops within long periods when power is fought or grudgingly shared. Such division of power (DP) e.g. between emperor and pope, between state and church; between two or more major ideologies, fosters critical thinking. People begin to mistrust the power holder. They have the courage to speak their mind, to be creative on matters that are not those wanted by the power holder.
About the Author
Dr. William Therivel obtained a Doctoral degree in Chemical Engineering from Turin Polytechnic in 1955. Fluent in five languages he worked for Italian and American companies as a business development specialist in Italy, Iran, France, Japan, Brazil, England, Belgium, and the USA.
His lifelong interest in history, literature, sociology, and psychology led him to a second Doctorate in Developmental Psychology from the University of Houston.
In this book (the first of three volumes) he approaches personality, creativity, ethnopsychology, history, and literature from an interdisciplinary perspective.