Chapter 1 - Cognition and Creativity

Abstract

This chapter discusses various aspects of cognition and creativity. Cognitive theories focus on thinking skills and intellectual processes. The approaches to creative cognition are extremely varied. There are bridges between basic cognitive processes and creative problem solving, as well as connections with intelligence, problem solving, language, and other indications of individual differences. The basic processes are generally nomothetic, meaning that they represent universals. Divergent thinking is employed when an individual is faced with an open-ended task. From this perspective divergent thinking is a kind of problem solving. Divergent thinking is not synonymous with creative thinking, but it does tell something about the cognitive processes that may lead to original ideas and solutions. Many theories of creative cognition look to associative processes. Associative theories focus on how ideas are generated and chained together. Cognitive theories of creativity often focus specifically on the problem-solving process. A problem can be defined as a situation with a goal and an obstacle. The stage models of creative cognition are also elaborated.