The Nature of Creative Development

This book describes the basic structure and processes through which creative endeavors are initially developed and then transformed into creative contributions. It describes creative development using an original framework that is broad in application, and presents a useful way of thinking about the creative process. Many stories and examples of the creative development of individuals known for original thinking are woven through the book. These include people renowned generally for creative contributions, including Albert Einstein, Virginia Woolf, Charles Darwin, William Faulkner, and the Wright Brothers; people credited with creative thought specific to business, including Pierre Omidyar of eBay and Ray Kroc of McDonald's; and people interviewed by the author who are not famous but whose stories are fascinating and provide an interesting window into the creative process.

Table of Contents:
CONTENTS} I. }Introduction. II. }Creative Interests and Conceptions of Creative Interests. III. }The Development of Creative Interests. IV. }Intrinsic Sources of Interest. V. }Extrinsic and Strategic Factors in the Development of Creative Interests. VI. }Kinds of Creative Interests. VII. }The Distinctiveness and Breadth of Creative Interests. VIII. }Resonances and Connections. IX. }Creative Responses. X. }Exploration of Creative Interests and Creativity Generation; Creative XI. }The Role of Conceptions of Creative Interests and Associated Values and Principles in Guidance; Management of Creative Development at the Meta-Level. XII. }Creativity in Projects. XIII. }Multiple Interests. XIV. }Patterns of Creative Development: Patterns of Projects; Projects and Interests. XV. }Patterns of Creative Development: Evolution of Interests and Sequences of Interests. XVI. }Difficulties in Creative Development. XVII. }Creative Development and Linkages of Cultural Transmission; Modeling Cultural Development. Epilogue: Modeling Individuals in Social Systems. Bibliography Index

About the Author :
Jonathan Feinstein is Economics Professor in the Yale School of Management and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Review :
"I consider [The Nature of Creative Development] to be an important step in attempting to understand individual differences in the creative process. Feinstein adopts a theoretical framework which integrates both rich case study detail regarding the individual, and the wider cultural and environment place of these individuals in society. The text is highly affordable and a recommended read." - The Psychologist "Feinstein has done yeoman work here and should be applauded for bringing the study of creativity, long the preserve of humanities students, into a business school setting. " - The Jewish Journal "The material presented by Feinstein offers a unique and rich perspective on creative development. The Nature of Creative Development is a highly valuable contribution to the field of creativity studies." - Ronald E. Purser, San Francisco State University