TERMINOLOGY
The terminology associated with creativity can be confusing at times, especially when the same terms are used in different ways by different people. For example, what’s the difference between divergent and convergent thinking? How are they each related to creativity? To help sort out the meaning of important concepts, we offer a simple dictionary related to creativity and associated topics.
Adaption
Commonly defined as changing something to suit new conditions; it can also refer specifically to more incremental forms of creativity.
Convergent Thinking
Selecting from or narrowing down a list of options, ideas, or solutions.
Creative Level
A person’s capacity for creative behavior based on intelligence, knowledge, skills, and experience.
Creative Style
A person’s cognitive preference for structure in generating ideas, solving problems, and making decisions
Divergent Thinking
Generating multiple options or ideas (e.g., for solving a problem); expanding a set of possible solutions.
H-Creativity
(Historical creativity): A creative outcome that is new “to the world” (as far as anyone can tell).
Innovation
Commonly defined as something new or a change made to an existing product, idea, or field; it can also refer specifically to more radical forms of creativity.
Novelty
The quality of being new or original; this newness can be incremental or radical.
P-Creativity
(Personal creativity): A creative outcome that is new “to the individual”; it may or may not be “new to the world”.
Thinking Inside the Box
A type of creative thinking (yes, this is creative thinking too!) that leverages constraints and prevailing norms to generate ideas/solutions.
Thinking Outside the Box
A type of creative thinking that challenges constraints and prevailing norms to generate ideas/solutions.
CATEGORY DEFINITIONS
Academic
All resources available on the compendium that may be useful for educators. This includes assignments, projects and group exercises with appended grading rubrics.
Assignment
Any exercise that can be assigned to oneself, an individual or team. These are intended to be done over the course of a day or two.
Audio
Resources with an audio component, such as a podcast or lecture.
Class Resource
Reference material that can be used to aid instruction.
Research Project
Larger-Scale Assignment meant to take place over the course of a semester. These projects involve some aspect of research to inform results.
Technique
Any exercise or method that can be adapted to the situation at hand to improve creative fluency or structure a problem-solving effort.
Text
Publications and commentary on the environment of creativity research and its applications.
Tools & Technology
A suite of materials or 3rd party resources that can be used to advance a creative effort.
Video
Resources with a video component either prescribing or commenting on creative pursuits and techniques