Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 2
Idea Generation
Chance favors only the prepared mind.
Louis Pasteur
Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent
perspiration.
Thomas Edison
Creativity
Creativity has been defined as
•
“the act of generating new and useful ideas, or of re-evaluating or combining old
ideas, so as to develop new and useful perspectives in order to satisfy a need”
(Quantumiii—
http://www.quantum3.co.za/CI%20Glossary.htm
)
“any act, idea, or product that changes an existing domain or that transforms an
•
existing domain into a new one” (Csikszentmihalyi,
1996
)
“purposely making new and valuable products …[to] include significant truths,
•
illuminating explanations, and useful technologies.” (Martin,
2007
)
A detailed model has been developed by Csikszentmihalyi (
1996
) who outlines
seven steps in the creative process
1. Problem de fi nition and conscious study
2. Focused thinking and unconscious processing
3. “Eureka!” moment
4. Clari fi cation and commitment
5. Experimentation
6. Dissemination
7. Propagation of the idea leading to acceptance
