What are the Four types of Creativity and why does it matter?
In 2004, Arne Dietrich, a professor of cognitive neuroscience, published a research article in the Psychonomic Bulletin & Review on what he, and others have studied the four types of creativity. If you’re interested in the science behind the creative mind, here is his article:
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review/Arne Dietrich
I am a creative, right-brained, type of person. I am a writer, artist, and singer. Creativity comes easily to me in the same way mechanical thinking come to my middle son and husband. Their form of creativity is deliberate and cognitive. A given type of creativity may feel more natural to you than others, but I firmly believe that EVERYONE is creative.
Deliberate and Cognitive
These creatives are purposeful. They systematically learn about a certain topic and then combine their knowledge with their particular skill set and make a plan. These creatives are the inventors, the researchers and problem solvers.
Deliberate and Emotional
The work of these creatives is influenced by their emotions. They tend to be more sensitive and may prefer solitude for reflection but are also logical and rational. This type of creativity is born from a logical mindfulness. They often are writers of diaries.
Spontaneous and Cognitive
This type of creativity can happen to anyone when they are trying hard to solve a given problem. They think it through from every angle but can’t find a solution. Later, when their conscious mind is relaxed, perhaps when they’re in the shower or sleeping, and Presto! The solution dawns on them.
Spontaneous and Emotional
Spontaneous ideas and creative thought happen when a person’s prefrontal brain is resting. Emotional and spontaneous creatives are the artists, musicians, writers, and painters and their ideas seem to come to them in the form of a divine inspiration or sudden realization.
What Type of Creative are You?
Can you recognize yourself in any one or more of the four types of creativity? Did you notice that none of the types mentioned perfection? I like to think of the word Creativity as another word for Play. We don’t have to be good at play, just willing to be open and try. So, whether you are Deliberate, Cognitive, Emotional, or Spontaneous, or some combination of the four, you are a CREATIVE!
What kind of creatives do we have out there? Be sure to comment on this post and let us know!