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Perspectives on Creativity
Editor: Lynn DellaPietra
Date Of Publication: Jul 2009
Isbn13: 978-1-4438-0964-1
Isbn: 1-4438-0964-0
Perspectives on Creativity explores the topic of creativity from multiple viewpoints, including those of the philosopher, psychologist, neuroscientist, therapist, educator, and artist. The book is organized around a series of themes, beginning with a consideration of the nature of creativity and how it can be cultivated, with special attention to how creativity can be fostered in the classroom and work settings. The second section presents qualitative studies of artists and asks what we can learn about creativity from the lives and work of these individuals, such as whether there exists a relationship between creativity and mental illness. The third section examines the healing power of creativity within the therapeutic milieu, from the relatively more well-known music and art therapy to the less familiar drama therapy. The final section of the book explores the relationship between creativity and the brain and presents studies to address whether the brains of creative individuals function differently from those of the less creative. What makes this book unique is that the topic of creativity is considered in an interdisciplinary way from both theoretical and applied perspectives, making it appealing to individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Lynn DellaPietra is Professor of psychology and Chair of the Social and Behavioral Sciences division at Holy Family University, where she teaches a course in the psychology of creativity. She has presented in national and international venues on the topic of creativity and its relationship to cognition and brain functioning.

“From the creative arts to the art of living, from novel products to the processes, people, traits, experiences, brain states, and environmental influences that can open minds and transform worlds, this book opens new doors on the human creative experience. We see the power of the creative arts, and of creativity in many forms, on our health and healing, coping and resilience, teaching and learning, growth and aging, and learning to find the joys, challenges, and greater purpose that can make life worth living.”

- Ruth Richards, MD, PhD, Saybrook Graduate School, San Francisco, California; McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts; and Harvard Medical School

The sciences are governed by various principles, some explicit, some implicit. One principle is essentially economic: The sciences supply what is in demand. Creativity is currently in very high demand. Indeed, it has recently moved ahead of knowledge and information as a vital objective for business and high quality schools. Yet creativity is not easy to define nor target. It requires a diverse and interdisciplinary perspective which is nearly impossible to maintain. For that reason it is quite rare for one volume do justice to creativity and to creative studies. The present volume does just that. Generally speaking it covers the therapeutic nature of creativity, lessons from research with creative individuals, how creativity can be supported and enhanced, and the neuropsychology of creativity. Within these general topics it provides an enormous amount of detail about healing, ancient practices, modern technologies, divergent thinking, differences between artists and nonartists, incubation and the unconscious, music therapy, improvisation, and more. Also admirable is its avoidance of biases which are apparent

when one perspective is used alone. Unlike virtually every other volume, Perspectives on Creativity reports case studies and original empirical data from both eminent and everyday creators. It is, then, an extremely good overview of what is known about creativity. It is also just plain good reading.

- Mark Runco, PhD, Torrance Professor of Creative Studies, University of Georgia, Athens

Price Uk Gbp: 44.99
Price Us Usd: 67.99

Sample pdf (including Table of Contents)

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