Identification in interpersonal relationships: One foundation of creativity

Abstract

This article attempts to meld theories of identification with interrelational existentialism to allow for better explanations of collaborative creativity. It argues that the Burkean theory of identification is Freudian based and therefore de‐emphasizes interpersonal and subjective conceptions of communication. On the other hand, Burkean theory once corrected provides a praxis useful to existential criticism. The study argues that existential interpersonal communication stimulates an ontological understanding that sometimes results in creative dialogue and/or individual creativity. It sets out a series of probes useful in the analysis of authentic dialogic communication.