The Creative Cognition Approach to Creativity

THE CREATIVE COGNITION APPROACH TO CREATIVITY Introduction to the Creative Cognition Approach  Overview: The creative cognition approach represents an alternative tradition in creativity research that differs significantly from the psychometric approach. It is rooted in Gestalt psychology and has incorporated methodologies and theories from Cognitive Sciences.  Historical Influences: Gestalt psychology pioneers like Köhler, Duncker, and Wertheimer laid the groundwork for this approach. Their studies on insight, problem solving, and productive thinking contributed to its foundation.  Incorporation of Cognitive Sciences: More recent developments in the field have integrated theoretical and methodological tools from Cognitive Sciences into the creative cognition approach.  Focus on Creative Process: Unlike the psychometric approach, which primarily assesses creativity as a trait, the creative cognition approach delves into the creative process itself. It examines the cognitive operations underlying original ideas, sudden insights, and representational reorganizations.  Creativity as a Universal Property: In this approach, creativity is seen as an inherent property of human thinking in general. The human mind is considered generative, and its products reflect this generativity. Analyzing the Structural Underpinnings  Methods: Researchers in the creative cognition approach often employ experimental methods. Participants are presented with tasks that require creative invention, such as solving insight problems, designing new objects, or constructing practical devices. The cognitive operations used by participants are then meticulously analyzed.  Content-Independent Approach: Similar to the psychometric approach, the creative cognition approach abstracts creativity from its content. It focuses on assessing "pure" creativity and aims to distinguish creative potential from mere expertise or knowledge.  Generalist Perspective: Both traditions view creativity either as a universal attribute of human cognition or as a dimensional feature applicable to all individuals. This generalist perspective sets them apart from Gruber's approach. Gruber's Approach to Creativity: Studying Creative Work Through Case Studies  Gruber's Unique Approach: Gruber's approach to studying creativity differs significantly from both the creative cognition and psychometric traditions. Instead of assessing creativity through experiments or tests, he recontextualizes creative work in cognitive case studies.  Focus on the Individual: Creative case studies in Gruber's approach concentrate on the whole person in their full historical context. This approach requires researchers to have a deep understanding of the creator's domain, as well as the historical and cultural context surrounding their work.  Methodological Challenge: Gruber's case study method places a heavy burden on researchers, demanding a profound understanding of the creator's domain and historical context. This often goes beyond standard academic psychology training.  Theory of the Individual: Gruber's approach aims to formulate a theory of the individual, emphasizing the unique organization of an individual's cognitive system and its evolution over time. It's not just about identifying extraordinary abilities but understanding how these abilities are organized within the individual.  Evolving Systems Approach: Gruber's approach aligns with the evolving systems approach, which views the individual as a system of loosely coupled subsystems, including knowledge, purpose, and affect.  Three Levels of Analysis: Gruber's case studies cover three levels of analysis: cognitive (beliefs and their evolution), motivational (organization of purpose), and affective (role of positive emotions like joy and passion).  Interconnected Systems: Gruber's approach highlights the interdependence of knowledge, purpose, and affect. For example, the "initial sketch" serves as a regulatory mechanism at the cognitive level, guides the evolution of beliefs, and expresses profound commitments. Conclusion  Summary: The creative cognition approach focuses on analyzing the cognitive processes underlying creativity, abstracting it from specific content. Gruber's approach, on the other hand, involves in-depth case studies of extraordinary creative individuals within their historical contexts, emphasizing the unique organization of the individual's cognitive system and the interplay between knowledge, purpose, and affect.