Creativity FAQ

Questions & Answers

What Is Creativity?
The dictionary definition of creativity usually refers to producing something new, producing something from nothing. In fact creativity usually involves recombining and modifying ideas and objects that already exist. Something new is created, but not from nothing.
Are We All Creative?
Yes. Creativity is not necessarily tied to art. We are all creative in some way, whether or not we realise it.
Is Creativity Linked to IQ?
Studies have shown some statistical relationship between IQ and creativity - hardly surprising since most IQ tests are about problem solving and creativity is useful for this. However the relationship between IQ and creativity is not simple. There are many people with low IQs who are highly creative - and vice versa.
Can Creativity be Tested?
This is a contentious issue. The most well known creativity test, often used with children, is the Torrance Test for Creative Thinking (TTCT). This includes measurement of thinking creatively with pictures, figural testing and verbal testing. One has to question the value of creativity testing in children for any reason other than to track the effectiveness of creativity training.
Is Creativity Inherited?
We don't know. Certainly highly creative families often have highly creative offspring. However it's difficult to tell whether this is due to genetic factors or to being brought up in an environment that encourages and values creative thought. The answer is probably that nature provides a predisposition towards higher or lower creativity but that nurture is a vitally important deciding factor.
What Are "Left" and "Right" Brains?
The two halves of the human brain work together. Both are important, however the right brain is often said to be the more creative. For more information see brains.
Can Businesses Be Creative?
This is something of a philosophical question. Do you consider a company as existing in its own right, or simply to be a collection of people and products? Most people would agree that companies can act creatively. There is less agreement as whether "the company" is creative or whether the company is simply providing the conditions for groups of individuals to express their creativity.
How Can I Improve My Creativity?
There are many different techniques for kick-starting creativity, including brainstorming and NLP. To improve your general level of creativity the best approach is probably to get into the habit of questioning everything, becoming more open to new ways of looking at the world and getting into the habit of asking "What if...?"

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