Creativity

Dear Editor,

The word creativity has many descriptions. By and large in the discussion by Dr. Thompson it deals with a special quality that some few people have. It is certainly true that some brilliant people, including some geniuses, have produced some brilliant pieces of scientific and artistic production. Where this creativity originates in those individuals has been a long-standing and interesting question. In looking at the history of individual unique creative expression we find a usual common denominator. This common denominator is the origin of that unique special creativity with their intellectual insight or artistic is demonstrated before adulthood. Detailed studies where available of these individuals’ lives indicate that the beginnings were

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very early in their lives; but, began to be more apparent to the adult environment in their adolescence.

Another interesting observation is that certain societies and cultures have produced more of this creative output than other societies. It is also interesting that a society that was producing such creative output for an extended period began to rapidly almost completely stop from this wonderful production. In examining those societies we find there was a great deal of stimulation of education, particularly the doubting of previous “established concepts.” The societies were much more open than their predecessors. When those societies stopped producing such creativity they also were less open and benign.

What is the beginning of creativity? It usually has the quality of looking at something that is familiar to everyone; but, seeing it somewhat differently. It is as if it is being seen for the first time without any preconceived notions or what it is. Looking at something afresh where they see something that others have not recognized. A common example is Isaac Newton “discovering” gravity. Another example is Darwin having his first concepts of evolution when walking across the hills of his homeland as a young teenager with an open minded Professor.

With minor extrapolation and remembering the qualities of early childhood we can begin to see the likely origin of creativity. A small child’s exploration with its fingers and hands etc. long before speech is seeing the world afresh. This becomes more clearly evident when the child begins to talk and asks “why?” The natural attempt to understand the world is a normal exploration of a young mind. It’s struggling to understand why; constantly asking “why, what, how?” and more. It is normal for these small children (long before school-age) to repeatedly ask questions of its caretakers (parents etc.) The freer such questioning and communications the greater opportunity to learn something new. The more open and encouraging the responses the more the mind and brain is encouraged to understand without preconceived notions. The more restrictive and limiting the responses, the more stunted will be this natural creativity. Questioning and doubting by a young mind is the beginning of creativity.

Those societies that are more rigid in their societal and intellectual structure produce the fewer creative products. This is true historically and today. Those societies today that per capita produce the most intellectual and creative products are those that are least doctri-

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naire, least rigid, least punitive to the children and their mothers, most democratic, and least religiously rigid and controlling.

The understanding of these factors from a psychohistorical standpoint can be very valuable in understanding such human psychological concepts as creativity.

Sincerely yours,

Sander Breiner

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