Creativity is a feminine noun that comes from Latin create, which indicates the ability to create, produce or invent new things.
being creative is think outside the box (English expression meaning "to think outside the box"). In other words, being creative is being original, being able to imagine new solutions to the usual problems or to the new problems that arise every day.
For the American psychologist Allen Newell (1927-1992), there are some criteria that inform us if a solution is creative. In addition to being original, the solution must be useful for the individual and for society. Another criterion listed by him is that of motivation, that is, creativity always results from a state of great commitment and enthusiasm.
Portuguese psychologist Maria de Fátima Moraes agrees with this last definition. For her, creativity is only possible with high commitment. She says that the act of creating "is immensely more demanding than reproducing: it's putting something unique and unrepeatable that each one of us is in what we create and without passion that doesn't happen."
In addition to motivation, the psychologist draws attention to other factors that can be associated with creativity, including the the individual's skills, mastery of knowledge and certain personality characteristics (such as autonomy, persistence and self confidence).
Creativity can be identified in any area of life. It is usually pointed out as an essential element in the work context. In companies, creative employees are often rewarded because they can think of effective solutions to a variety of problems. Creativity often results in solutions that allow the company to save money or create products that increase its profit.
In the field of arts, the artistic creativity it consists in the ability to create works with a high degree of differentiation in relation to other works. A creative work can be a painting, a book, a sculpture or a building, for example.
Creativity often surprises people in a positive way, because they often don't expect anything different. An example of this is gifts, many people like to give creative gifts to friends, family and boyfriend/girlfriend.
They exist creativity workshops, which are a collaboration between education and psychology, and aim to enhance self-knowledge and acceptance of other individuals. These workshops use techniques such as painting, sculpture, drawing and many others to develop creative thinking and reduce stress.
Criativity and innovation
Creativity and innovation are two concepts that go hand in hand. Creativity is essential for people who want to innovate, invent, create new things.
It is important to note that creativity does not necessarily mean creating something from scratch, it often means innovate, that is, improve something that already exists.
Read more about the Meaning of Innovation.
See too:
- Development meaning
- meaning of intelligence
