Human life is influenced by the creations that occur naturally in the environment and by the creations of human beings. There are various theories and explanations that seek to debunk how natural occurring phenomena are created, ranging from scientific approaches to religious believes. The range of theories and explanations however, in creation becomes broader when dealing with human creativity. Human creativity is a phenomenon exhibited by the creation of something new, either as a derivative of another or completely new (Mumford, 2003). Creativity has influenced human life since the early ages. Due to the wide field involved in creativity, there are a large number of theories about creativity. Creativity is subject to a range of scholarly fields including theology, psychology, education, cognitive science, philosophy, economics, linguistics, sociology as well as business studies. Virtually any field of study has an aspect of creativity. There are therefore a number of categorizations of creativity. Each field of study seems to have a unique take on creativity. Some of these approaches oppose each other; others are similar while others are in different realm of approaches.
Different researchers have come up with different theories on creativity. They have categorized creativity based on different issues or without a base (Craft, 2001). As mentioned above, creativity has also been studied in different scholarly backgrounds. Therefore, there are different approaches. Eisner (1966), categorizes creativity into four categories; boundary pushing creativity, inventing creativity, boundary breaking creativity and aesthetic organizing creativity. Boundary pushing creativity seems to expand a field of study or practice. Inventing creativity is involved in the creation of new things. Boundary breaking creativity is involved in the removal of constraining problems in a field. Finally, aesthetic organizing creativity involves the creation of beauty in an orderly way from chaos. Another approach to creativity is authored by Dietrich (2004).
According to Dietrich (2004), there are four types of creativity. Dietrich (2004), identifies four different types of creativity. The scholar then matches these creativity types with different brain activities. The four types include; cognitive creativity, emotional creativity, deliberate creativity and spontaneous creativity. Each of these four categories is characterized differently. Dietrich created a creativity matrix. The creativity matrix indicates that the four types of creativity occur concurrently and are interrelated to each other. The scholar gives certain examples to elaborate the categorization.
I subscribe to the approach by Eisner (1966). This approach offers a broader definition and elaboration of creativity. It is also not constrained and can be applied to different areas under which creativity is studied or practiced. While there are limitations, this approach seems to have a critical take on creativity. Creativity is studied in order to learn the appropriate ways in which it can be effected or motivated in different fields and in different individuals. While Dietrich’s (2004) approach also offers an essential aspect of creativity, it is technical and difficult to apply. It requires further analysis for practice to be effected. Categorization by Eisner (1966) is simple but appropriate. It uses descriptors that are easy to understand while covering a broad area of creativity. It is also not as specific as Dietrich’s (2004). Examples from Eisner (1966) can be drawn from any field, from science and technology to religion and philosophy. This approach also offers a less complex process by which these categories of creativity occur. At any time, different people are pushing boundaries, inventing, breaking boundaries and organizing aesthetic pieces. These processes of creativity happen concurrently but are not necessarily dependent on each other.
Pushing boundaries is a creative process that occurs in most fields of study and practice. This involves expanding the limits of the field. Any field of study or practice involves certain constraints that limit the growth of the field. For instance, in medicine, before the first organ transplant, ailing patients could not become healthier through this procedure. In the years prior to the first successful transplant, there were a number of boundary pushing creative process underway by different people. These were in the form of research. Even after the first transplant, the process of pushing boundaries in this area continued. Pushing boundaries is an essential creative process.
Inventions have impacted human life in a myriad of ways. Invention involves bringing together objects and knowledge to form new objects or ideas. Inventions are based on already existing knowledge and objects. They could develop as a result of advancing the present knowledge or disproving the present knowledge. Invention is also involved in pushing boundaries. However, it does not merely extend limits; it creates new areas of study and practice. One of the modern inventions that impact on human life is the internet. The internet was created from knowledge that already existed. It’s success was based computers which already existed. The internet itself has been a base to various new inventions such as social media. Other notable inventions in this time include 3D printing.
Breaking boundary involves finding solutions to problems. This creative process seeks to extend a field through reversal or rejection of assumptions. Assumptions are usually existing rules in that field. While rules are supposed to guide study and practice in a certain area, they sometimes become constraints to that field. This form of creativity is commonly referred to as thinking outside the box. This process often ends in the dismantling of already set rules. Creatives in fashion have broken boundaries severally. In most of the world, women wore skirts and other socially accepted attire. The fashion industry however, has broken these social norms and women now wear trousers and other attires previously seen as shameful.
Aesthetic organizing creativity is one of the most known forms of creativity. This is because the end product is often pleasing to the common senses of man. This creative process involves arranging or methodically mixing different elements in the field to come up with a harmonious end product. It involves converting chaotic elements into an aesthetic product. This process is undertaken by musicians, chefs, painters and poets. However, it is not only in the humanities. It can also be seen in technology and science. For instance in 3D printing, a creative process is undertaken to convert the otherwise chaotic material into an aesthetic and technical object.
Creativity is an essential process in human life. It touches on every aspect of life from religion to science to business. Creative processes have resolved some of the most endearing problems on earth. The classification of creativity is characteristic of a large number of theories and approaches. This is because of the wide areas in which creativity is involved. Eisner’s (1966) approach to categorization of creativity presents a practical form of classification. It explains a complex issue in simple and clear statements. It can also be applied in any field of study and practice. At any particular time, creativity in any of the four forms is occurring.
References
Craft, A. (2001). Creativity in education. New York: Continuum International.
Dietrich, A. (2004). The cognitive neuroscience of creativity. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 2004, 11 (6) , 1011-1026.
Eisner, E. W. (1966). A Typology of Creative Behavior in the Visual Arts. Washington: Readings in Art Education.
Mumford, M. D. (2003). Where have we been, where are we going? Taking stock in creativity research. Creativity Research Journal, 15 , 107–120.
