Are creatives born or made?
Prof. Dean Keith Simonton
What makes someone a creative genius? Dean Keith Simonton, the godfather of creativity, will share his decades of research on how our genes and our environment contribute to everyday creativity and the emergence of genius.
Learn about this Garden Talk
Psychologists usually define creativity as the capacity to produce ideas that are both original and workable. In other words, creativity involves being able to solve problems by sifting through ideas to come up with novel solutions. We are all creative in our everyday lives, but genius creativity, as demonstrated by great artists and innovators, is the exception rather than the rule.
From Galileo to Einstein, Leonardo di Vinci to Nietzsche, creativity has moved human civilisation forward. But being truly innovative involves taking huge risks, challenging accepted ways of thinking and accepting constant failure. And for some, there is a fine line between being a creative genius and mental illness.
In this Fireside Conversation, Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Psychology, Dean Keith Simonton will explain how our genes play a role in how creative we are, and will share how environmental factors such as subjecting people to experiences where social norms and natural laws are violated can spark more open-mindedness and creativity. Drawing on decades of research, the godfather of creativity, will show how there is a strong association between mental illness and creativity and will answer the fundamental question: is creative genius born or made?
Talk outline
50 minutes
30 minute talk
20 minute Member Q&A
About the Fellow
Dean Keith Simonton, the godfather of creativity, is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of California Davis.
Creativity Unlocked Collection
Human ingenuity and inventiveness has continually moved our world forward. From beautiful art works to works of literature, space shuttles to scientific leaps forward, at the heart of progress and change is a spark of creativity.Great artists are often described as geniuses. But what is artistic genius and would we know it if we saw it? Where does artistic creativity come from? From God, from imagination, or from hard work?
What makes someone a creative genius? Dean Keith Simonton, the godfather of creativity, will share his decades of research on how our genes and our environment contribute to everyday creativity and the emergence of genius.
What jumps to your mind when thinking about creativity? Chances are it wouldn't be maths. Philosophers, scientists and mathematicians used creativity to solve seemingly impossible problems. Could maths actually be as creative as the arts?
Could those moments where uncertainty or contradictions exist foster creativity? Dr. Wendy Smith will share how dilemmas and paradoxes can create the conditions for creativity and innovation and how this exists in all our lives.
How can I be more creative? This is the question Professor Anna Abraham is most often asked and in this fireside conversation, she will be sharing the answer to this question, grounded in her research on creativity and the brain.
