How Domains Constrain Creativity

Abstract

Creativity has been traditionally studied from the point of view of the individual creator, and it has been assumed that creativity is the same across all knowledge domains. An argument is advanced for a new view of creativity—one that builds on the nature of the domains in which creative work can be carried out. Through a case analysis of Western and Chinese painting, it is argued that the two seemingly similar domains, in fact, differ greatly in the so-called parameters (e.g., pursuit, methodology, and symbol systems). Such parameters place unique constraints on the process of creativity.