Towards a comprehensive framework of creativity: integrating cognition into the componential theory of creativity

• Main Authors: Huda Mukhlis Abu-Bakar, Liew, Naomi Shi Yu, Tan, Jian Rui
• Other Authors: Joyce Pang Shu Min
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Psychology::Consciousness and cognition
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/68176
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

In this paper, we seek to develop a more comprehensive understanding of creativity by integrating cognitive literature with an existing confluence theory of creativity. We look to Amabile’s Componential Theory of Creativity as a good starting point to develop this framework as it encompasses several factors that affect creativity including cognitive styles, personality, working style (collectively known as creativity-relevant processes) and task motivation. We observe that despite a broad range of included factors, the model is insufficient in explaining the mental processes underlying the cognitive processes involved in creative ideation. We thus substantiate it with current cognitive research to glean a clearer understanding of creativity. We conclude that creativity relevant processes are rooted in executive functions (i.e. inhibition, updating and cognitive control flexibility), and the effects of motivation on creativity can be explained through these same mechanisms. The limitations of our paper and how the newly integrated information can be applied on a practical level are also discussed.