Problem Solving and Creative Thinking

Course Description

This course will begin with a historical survey of approaches to the study of creativity, concentrating on questions of definition and issues concerning how creativity can be measured. The relationship between creative thinking and problem solving will be discussed. The next section will examine different perspectives that researchers have taken toward the study of creativity. Examples are: (1) genius and madness; (2) developing tests of creative thinking and studying the creative personality; (3) the cognitive view, which considers creative thinking to be a straightforward extension of ordinary problem solving. We will then examine a number of case studies of creative advances, from the areas of invention (Edison, the Wright brothers), the arts (painting, sculpture, literature, poetry, and music), and science, to acquire a database to use to test the theories of the creative process developed earlier. The material in this course will go beyond that ordinarily covered in a psychology course - we will read research in art history, musicology, history and philosophy of science, and history of technology, as well as literature from the psychological study of giftedness, personality and mental testing, and cognitive processes. Course requirements will include written comments on each week's assigned readings, and a case study of a creative advance in any area of interest to the student. NOTE: Check class schedule for semesters offered.

Code

PSY 3131

Credits

3

Subject

PSY

Programs That Include This Course

• Minor Minor in Cognitive Neuroscience