On units of Analysis and Creativity Theory

Towards a “Molecular” Perspective

Bibliographic Data

ID8975896
AuthorsVlad Petre Glăveanu (0000-0002-6029-6718, Department of Communication & Psychology Aalborg University Kroghstræde 3 9220 Aalborg Ø Denmark, corresponding author)
Year2014
Volume45
Issue3
Pages311-330
Publication date2014-08-04
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal for the Theory of Social Behaviour (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0021-8308 • E-ISSN: 1468-5914
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/jtsb.12069
OpenAlexW2102885248
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited23

This article addresses the issue of units of analysis and atomistic models in psychology taking creativity research as a case study. A classic typology in this area, initially proposed by R hodes (1961), distinguishes between the four P 's of creativity: person, process, product, and press (environment). Continuing an effort to rewrite this basic language of the discipline from a cultural psychological perspective in the form of five A's (actor, audience, action, artefact, affordances), the discussion here focuses on bringing relationships to the fore within this framework and problematising strict distinctions between each of the five elements. A closer look at the five A's of creativity, drawing on theoretical considerations and illustrated by interviews with creators working in different domains, reveals the permeable borders surrounding these units and challenges clear divisions between actors and audiences, action and artefacts, actors and artefacts. In the end, it is argued that creative phenomena cannot be properly understood and studied outside of their integrated and dynamic totality defined as a creativity complex. Implications of adopting this “molecular” perspective for theory and methodology are discussed

Action (physics · Affordance · Cognitive psychology · Creativity · Creativity technique · Epistemology · Perspective (graphical · Process (computing · Product (mathematics · Sociology · Typology · Action Observation and Synchronization · Computer Science · Creativity in Education and Neuroscience · Design Education and Practice · Psychology · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub