5.3 Integration and Conclusions: Creating a Field of Creativity

Psychologists discussed creativity in many different ways. Different levels of analysis were used to address the concepts; within levels, different components were put forth; and even when similar components were discussed, differences were seen in how these components were defined and how crucial they were claimed to be for the larger concept of creativity. Given these differences, which are as varied as creative expression itself, one might ask if there is any consensus whatsoever, if we know anything at all about creativity, or if it is even a useful concept for scientific theory and research. Our response, parallel to those of the preceding authors, is that despite the differences, there exist major areas of agreement, and although many refinements are necessary, creativity is an essential concept for psychology and holds enormous potential for scientific investigation.

What we shall attempt to provide, therefore, is a consensual summary of these many varied explanations of creativity, listing the major agreements and highlighting some of the more controversial issues. The organization of this summary will follow Stein's general approach to dissecting the problem of creativity. That is, views of creative processes, persons, products, and places (problem domains and socially organized fields of enterprise) will be discussed in detail.