Does working in a group help or hinder creativity?
When I first read this question, I immediately agreed with the idea that groups generate creativity. Personally, I thrive creatively when working in groups. Hearing others thoughts and ideas helps me produce more creative thoughts and ideas based on others perceptions. By hearing others creative thoughts I am able to connect their ideas with my own and expand on my original thoughts.
However, after reading Chapter One in Creativity is Forever by Gary Davis, I began to re-think my original thoughts about creativity. Chapter One focuses on the relationship between self-actualization and creativity. Maslow’s refers to self-actualization as “our desire for self-fulfillment, namely, to the tendency for a person to become actualized in what he or she is potentially” (p.2, Davis). After looking at Maslow’s 15 Characteristics of Self-Actualized People, many of the characteristics refer to one’s own independence, privacy and solitude. Maslow connected self-actualization and creativity by stating “the concept of creativeness and the concept of the healthy, self-actualizing, fully human person seem to be coming closer together, and may turn out to be the same thing” (p. 2, Davis).
Personally, I still believe that groups help promote creativity, however, I do agree with Maslow’s findings that one must understand their own potentials. A person will be more willing to contribute to group thinking and work when they understand what unique talents they bring to the table. By creating an productive, creative environment, group members will be more willing to share their own creative thoughts and ideas in a critical manner.
Many experts have stressed the importance of a playful attitude toward creativity, that fooling around often leads to ideas. Do you agree? Why or why not?
I believe that having a playful attitude often leads to creativity. By being able to think outside of the box and openly, more ideas are generated. Often, I find myself thinking the most creatively when I am in a more relaxed environment which is leads to a more carefree mindset in a playful manner. Many school settings are so structured and rigorous that there is little time for playful attitudes which in turn leads to more creative thinking. Stressful situations and environments often cause us think on a straight and narrow path dismissing creative thoughts and ideas.
Watching the video clip Why Man Creates, it is apparent that the man who was trying to get the legs and arms to produce in a sequential manner, was more productive when he sat back and began generating ideas in a playful atmosphere. Once he was able to create an end product, he became more relaxed which in turn created more stimulation among the limbs of his creation.
Therefore, in order to produce more creative thoughts and ideas, I personally believe individuals need the opportunity to play around with ideas in a relaxed and playful manner.
