Rethinking the Notion of Creativity

Some people might confidently declare, "I am a highly creative person," while others may reluctantly admit that creativity is not their forte. However, emerging studies challenge the belief that creativity is an inherent trait. So, if you've ever thought you're not a creative person, it may be time to reconsider.

We often hold a fixed notion of what it means to be creative; it means we're a person with the extraordinary ability to generate new and original ideas. Traditionally, this was measured through fluency tests like "think of as many uses as possible for this brick." However, it's not merely about quantity; the true measure lies in the originality and non-trivial nature of the ideas.

In a refreshing shift, today's creativity assessments have evolved beyond mere fluency tests to narrative tests. Participants are presented with a scene, like "The guy in the white shirt ran to the car and started driving fast towards the city," and asked to describe where he is going. The richness of the responses, the depth of character development, and the originality of the stories unveil individuals' unique capacities to think differently.

Creative minds excel in inventing unexpected plot twists, delving into character motives, and injecting conflicts that add depth. The ability to generate multiple interpretations of a given scene showcases cognitive flexibility—a hallmark of creative thinking.

So, we've been discussing creativity in its classical sense, often associated with divergent thinking—the ability to generate ideas or solutions that didn't exist before. Contrary to the myth that all ideas from creative minds are stellar, studies reveal that creative individuals produce a mix of good and not-so-great ideas, thanks to their gifted fluency.

Divergent thinking is also linked to an attentional ability known as "latent inhibition," where individuals pay attention to marginal details that others might ignore. This heightened awareness contributes to increased concentration and efficiency, as well as the ability to make connections and discern details that others overlook.

Yet there's another equally significant type of thinking—convergent thinking, involving the synthesis of existing ideas in new and useful ways. It's about making connections between seemingly unrelated things and creating a coherent whole. While divergent thinking tends to generate a multitude of ideas, convergent thinking is about integrating or synthesizing those ideas into a cohesive solution.

Contrary to the belief that these are mutually exclusive abilities, some individuals are gifted with both. Those with convergent thinking often possess extensive knowledge that enables them to deeply understand various ideas and integrate them into a cohesive whole. Additionally, they have a keen ability to understand others, viewing things from different perspectives and combining diverse points of view.

In conclusion, if you've ever labeled yourself as "not creative," it's time to challenge that perception. Creativity is not a fixed trait; it's a diverse set of skills and thinking processes that can be developed.

Whether you lean towards divergent or convergent thinking, or even both, your unique cognitive style contributes to the rich tapestry of creativity. So embrace the potential within and recognize the creative force that resides in us all. If you used to think you're not a creative person, think again.