Creativity trilateral dynamics: playfulness, mindfulness, and improvisation
Abstract
As recent studies proved; creativity is no longer an option, it is really essential for our everyday life. In fact, creativity is a unified whole composed of four interweaved strands; creative person, creative press, creative process, and creative product. Nevertheless, creative person could be considered the motor of these unified gearwheels. Creative person should be open for novelty, tolerant for complexity and ambiguity as discussed through literature; however, the question here is how to acquire these characteristics. In this sense, issues of playfulness, mindfulness and improvisa-tion could be much related and might answer such question. In fact, these topics were approached in many researches in relation to creativity, but there are scarce studies that might relate them to each other, i.e., playfulness with mindfulness, mindfulness with improvisation, or improvisation with playfulness. Thus, this research, as a contribution to the field of the psychology of creativity, proposes that there is a correlation among these three experiences or forces of a creative person. Then, the aim of this research is to explore these interrelations that, if boosted, might leverage creative person’s characteristics. The methodology is based on inductive reasoning via two phases; first, analyzing literature on playfulness, mindfulness and improvisation and their relations to creativity studies. The second phase is traversing these three corpuses, sewing them together in order to create a braid of these forces to act as dynamics boosting for higher levels of creative mindset.
Article in English.
Trišalė kūrybiškumo dinamika: žaidybiškumas, sąmoningumas ir improvizacija
Santrauka
Kaip parodė naujausi tyrimai, kūrybiškumas jau nebėra pasirinkimo alternatyva – jis išties svarbus kasdieniam mūsų gyvenimui. Iš tikrųjų kūrybiškumas – tai bendra visuma, kurią sudaro keturios susipynusios gijos: kūrybiška asmenybė, kūrybinė jėga, kūrybinis procesas ir kūrybinis produktas. Nepaisant to, kūrybiška asmenybė gali būti laikoma šių sujungtų krumpliaračių varomąja jėga. Kaip aptarta literatūroje, kūrybiška asmenybė turi būti atvira naujovėms, tolerantiška kompleksiškumui ir dviprasmybėms, tačiau čia keliamas klausimas – kaip išugdyti šias savybes. Šia prasme žaidybiškumo, sąmoningumo ir improvizacijos problemos gali būti glaudžiai susijusios ir turi galimybę atsakyti į tokį klausimą. Tiesą sakant, šios temos buvo gvildentos daugelyje tyrimų, susijusių su kūrybiškumu, tačiau nepakanka tų tyrimų, kuriuose jos būtų siejamos vienos su kitomis, i.e. žaidybiškumas ir sąmoningumas, sąmoningumas ir improvizacija ar improvizacija ir žaidybiškumas. Taigi šiame tyrime, kaip indėlyje į kūrybos psichologijos sritį, teigiama, kad šios trys kūrybiškos asmenybės patirtys ar galios koreliuoja tarpusavyje. Taigi šio tyrimo tikslas – išnagrinėti šiuos tarpusavio ryšius, kurie, jei būtų skatinami, galėtų turėti įtakos kūrybiškos asmenybės savybėms. Metodologija grindžiama indukciniu argumentavimu dviem etapais: pirma, analizuojant literatūrą, skirtą žaidybiškumui, sąmoningumui ir improvizacijai bei jų sąsajoms su kūrybiškumo tyrimais; antrasis etapas vyksta, skersai išilgai nagrinėjant šias tris dalis, susiejant jas tarpusavyje siekiant sukurti šių trijų galių sampyną, kad jos funkcionuotų dinamiškai, kūrybišką mąstyseną pakylėdamos į aukštesnį lygį.
Reikšminiai žodžiai: kūrybiška mąstysena, kūrybiška asmenybė, kūrybiškumas, improvizacija, sąmoningumas, žaidybiškumas.
Keyword : creative mindset, creative person, creativity, improvisation, mindfulness, playfulness
How to Cite
Hassan, D. K. (2019). Creativity trilateral dynamics: playfulness, mindfulness, and improvisation. Creativity Studies, 12(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.3846/cs.2019.4313
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
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Burnett, C., & Cabra, J. F. (2018). SUNY: ignite your every day creativity. Divergent thinking, Coursera. Retrieved from https://www.coursera.org/lecture/ignite-creativity/divergent-thinking-RQUN7
Carmody, J., & Baer, R. A. (2008). Relationships between mindfulness practice and levels of mindfulness, medical and psychological symptoms, and well-being in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 31, 23-33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-007-9130-7
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Crossan, M. M., & Sorrenti, M. (2005). Making sense of improvisation. In K. N. Kamoche, Pina E. Cunha, M., & Vieira da Cunha, J. (Eds.). Organizational improvisation (pp. 27-48). London and New York: Routledge.
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Gackenbach, J., & Bown, J. (2011). Mindfulness and video game play: a preliminary inquiry. Mindfulness, 2(2), 114-122. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-011-0049-2
Greenberg, J., Reiner, K., & Meiran, N. (2012). “Mind the Trap”: mindfulness practice reduces cognitive rigidity. PLoS ONE, 7(5), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0036206
Henricks, Th. S. (2014). Play as self-realization: toward a general theory of play. American Journal of Play, 6(2), 190-213.
Jiménez Marquez, A. (2014). The creative impact of improvisation, boxes and arrows. Retrieved from http://boxesandarrows.com/the-creative-impact-of-improvization/
Jung, C. G. (2016). Psychological types: general description of the types. Eastford, CT: Martino Fine Books. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315512334
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Kaufman, J. C., & Beghetto, R. A. (2009). Beyond big and little: the four c model of creativity. Review of General Psychology, 13(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013688
Kumar, M., Roy, S., & Sameer, A. (2017). Influence of creative thinking and playfulness on creative styles of the individuals. Research into Design for Communities, 2, 465-474. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-3521-0_40
Kuschner, D. (2010). Book Review. Stuart Brown, Christopher Vaughan. Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul. American Journal for Play, 2(3), 374–376.
Larsen, H., & Bogers, M. (2014). Innovation as improvisation in “The Shadow”. Creativity and Innovation Management, 23(4), 386-399. https://doi.org/10.1111/caim.12067
Leonard, K. (2016). Mindfulness and improvisation, LinkedIn. Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/mindfulness-improvisation-kelly-leonard
Lieberman, J. N. (1977). Playfulness: its relationship to imagination and creativity. Series: Educational Psychology Series. New York: Academic Press, Inc.
Macmillan Dictionary. (2009–2018). Improvise – definition and synonyms. Retrieved from https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/improvise
Mainemelis, Ch., & Ronson, S. (2006). Ideas are born in fields of play: towards a theory of play and creativity in organizational settings. Research in Organizational Behavior, 27, 81-131. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0191-3085(06)27003-5
Marriott, S., & Woolham, J. (2016). Mindfulness practice, creativity and innovation. Retrieved from http://mindfulenhance.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Mindfulness-creativity-and-innovation.pdf
McWaters, V. (2012). Unpacking applied improv. Beyond the edge. Retrieved from http://vivmcwaters.com.au/2012/06/04/unpacking-applied-improv/
Miller, B., Vehar, J., Firestien, R., Thurber, S., & Nielsen, D. (2011). Creativity unbound: an introduction to creative problem solving. Williamsville, NY: Innovation Systems Group.
Murdock, M. C., Burnett, C., & Mance, M. (2008). The Big Three – understanding and applying basic affective skills that underlie CPS: the thinking skills model. Retrieved from https://d396qusza40orc.cloudfront.net/creative/The%20Creative%20Person/FinalBigThreeMOOC.pdf
Nairn, R. (1999). Diamond mind: a psychology of meditation. Boston, MA: Shambhala Publications, Inc.Positive Psychology Program. (2017). History of mindfulness: from East to West and from religion to science. Retrieved from https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/history-of-mindfulness/
Rhodes, M. (1961). An analysis of creativity. The Phi Delta Kappan, 42(7), 306-310.
Ross, K. (2013). All about improv, applied improv, creativity, play, innovation… Part 1, spotlight on marketing. Retrieved from http://www.kayross.com/blog/2013/04/26/all-about-improv-applied-improv-creativity-play-innovation/
Schootstra, E., Deichmann, D., & Dolgova, E. (2017). Can 10 minutes of meditation make you more creative?. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2017/08/can-10-minutes-of-meditation-make-you-more-creative
Slagter, H. A., Lutz, A., Greischar, L. L., Francis, A. D., Nieuwenhuis, S., Davis, J. M., & Davidson, R. J. (2007). Mental training affects distribution of limited brain resources. PLoS Biology, 5(6), 1228-1235. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.0050138
Sowden, P. T., Clements, L., Redlich, Ch., & Lewis, C. (2015). Improvisation facilitates divergent thinking and creativity: realising a benefit of primary school arts education. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts, 9, 128-138. https://doi.org/10.1037/aca0000018
Sternberg, R. J. (2006). The nature of creativity. Creativity Research Journal, 18(1), 87-98. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15326934crj1801_10
West, S. E., Hoff, E., & Carlsson, I. (2016). Play and productivity: enhancing the creative climate at workplace meetings with play cues. American Journal of Play, 9(1), 71-86.
Baas, M., Nevicka, B., & Ten Velden, F. S. (2014). Specific mindfulness skills differentially predict creative performance. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 40(9), 1092-1106. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167214535813
Baer, R. A., Smith, G. T., Hopkins, J., Krietemeyer, J., & Toney, L. (2006). Using self-report assessment methods to explore facets of mindfulness. Assessment, 13(1), 27-45. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191105283504
Bateson, P., & Martin, P. (2013). Play, playfulness, creativity and innovation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139057691
Bateson, P., & Nettle, D. (2014). Playfulness, ideas, and creativity: a survey. Creativity Research Journal, 26(2), 219-222. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2014.901091
Brown, S., & Vaughan, Ch. (2009). Play: how it shapes the brain, opens the imagination, and invigorates the soul. New York: Avery.
Burnett, C., & Cabra, J. F. (2018). SUNY: ignite your every day creativity. Divergent thinking, Coursera. Retrieved from https://www.coursera.org/lecture/ignite-creativity/divergent-thinking-RQUN7
Carmody, J., & Baer, R. A. (2008). Relationships between mindfulness practice and levels of mindfulness, medical and psychological symptoms, and well-being in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 31, 23-33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-007-9130-7
Carson, Sh. (2014). The impact of mindfulness on creativity research and creativity enhancement. In Ie, A., Ngnoumen, Ch. T., & Langer, E. J. (Eds.). The Wiley Blackwell handbook of mindfulness (pp. 328-344). Vol. I. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118294895.ch18
Chambers, R., Gullone, E., & Allen, N. B. (2009). Mindful emotion regulation: an integrative review. Clinical Psychology Review, 29(6), 560-572. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2009.06.005
Crossan, M. M., & Sorrenti, M. (2005). Making sense of improvisation. In K. N. Kamoche, Pina E. Cunha, M., & Vieira da Cunha, J. (Eds.). Organizational improvisation (pp. 27-48). London and New York: Routledge.
Dugan, M. (2018). Just say yes, know innovation. Retrieved from http://knowinnovation.com/2012/10/just-say-yes/
Eberle, S. G. (2014). The elements of play: toward a philosophy and a definition of play. Journal of Play, 6(2), 214-233.
Gackenbach, J., & Bown, J. (2011). Mindfulness and video game play: a preliminary inquiry. Mindfulness, 2(2), 114-122. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-011-0049-2
Greenberg, J., Reiner, K., & Meiran, N. (2012). “Mind the Trap”: mindfulness practice reduces cognitive rigidity. PLoS ONE, 7(5), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0036206
Henricks, Th. S. (2014). Play as self-realization: toward a general theory of play. American Journal of Play, 6(2), 190-213.
Jiménez Marquez, A. (2014). The creative impact of improvisation, boxes and arrows. Retrieved from http://boxesandarrows.com/the-creative-impact-of-improvization/
Jung, C. G. (2016). Psychological types: general description of the types. Eastford, CT: Martino Fine Books. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315512334
Kabat-Zinn, J. (2010). Wherever you go, there you are: mindfulness meditation in everyday life. New York, Boston: Hachette Books.
Kaufman, J. C., & Beghetto, R. A. (2009). Beyond big and little: the four c model of creativity. Review of General Psychology, 13(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013688
Kumar, M., Roy, S., & Sameer, A. (2017). Influence of creative thinking and playfulness on creative styles of the individuals. Research into Design for Communities, 2, 465-474. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-3521-0_40
Kuschner, D. (2010). Book Review. Stuart Brown, Christopher Vaughan. Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul. American Journal for Play, 2(3), 374–376.
Larsen, H., & Bogers, M. (2014). Innovation as improvisation in “The Shadow”. Creativity and Innovation Management, 23(4), 386-399. https://doi.org/10.1111/caim.12067
Leonard, K. (2016). Mindfulness and improvisation, LinkedIn. Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/mindfulness-improvisation-kelly-leonard
Lieberman, J. N. (1977). Playfulness: its relationship to imagination and creativity. Series: Educational Psychology Series. New York: Academic Press, Inc.
Macmillan Dictionary. (2009–2018). Improvise – definition and synonyms. Retrieved from https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/improvise
Mainemelis, Ch., & Ronson, S. (2006). Ideas are born in fields of play: towards a theory of play and creativity in organizational settings. Research in Organizational Behavior, 27, 81-131. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0191-3085(06)27003-5
Marriott, S., & Woolham, J. (2016). Mindfulness practice, creativity and innovation. Retrieved from http://mindfulenhance.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Mindfulness-creativity-and-innovation.pdf
McWaters, V. (2012). Unpacking applied improv. Beyond the edge. Retrieved from http://vivmcwaters.com.au/2012/06/04/unpacking-applied-improv/
Miller, B., Vehar, J., Firestien, R., Thurber, S., & Nielsen, D. (2011). Creativity unbound: an introduction to creative problem solving. Williamsville, NY: Innovation Systems Group.
Murdock, M. C., Burnett, C., & Mance, M. (2008). The Big Three – understanding and applying basic affective skills that underlie CPS: the thinking skills model. Retrieved from https://d396qusza40orc.cloudfront.net/creative/The%20Creative%20Person/FinalBigThreeMOOC.pdf
Nairn, R. (1999). Diamond mind: a psychology of meditation. Boston, MA: Shambhala Publications, Inc.Positive Psychology Program. (2017). History of mindfulness: from East to West and from religion to science. Retrieved from https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/history-of-mindfulness/
Rhodes, M. (1961). An analysis of creativity. The Phi Delta Kappan, 42(7), 306-310.
Ross, K. (2013). All about improv, applied improv, creativity, play, innovation… Part 1, spotlight on marketing. Retrieved from http://www.kayross.com/blog/2013/04/26/all-about-improv-applied-improv-creativity-play-innovation/
Schootstra, E., Deichmann, D., & Dolgova, E. (2017). Can 10 minutes of meditation make you more creative?. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2017/08/can-10-minutes-of-meditation-make-you-more-creative
Slagter, H. A., Lutz, A., Greischar, L. L., Francis, A. D., Nieuwenhuis, S., Davis, J. M., & Davidson, R. J. (2007). Mental training affects distribution of limited brain resources. PLoS Biology, 5(6), 1228-1235. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.0050138
Sowden, P. T., Clements, L., Redlich, Ch., & Lewis, C. (2015). Improvisation facilitates divergent thinking and creativity: realising a benefit of primary school arts education. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts, 9, 128-138. https://doi.org/10.1037/aca0000018
Sternberg, R. J. (2006). The nature of creativity. Creativity Research Journal, 18(1), 87-98. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15326934crj1801_10
West, S. E., Hoff, E., & Carlsson, I. (2016). Play and productivity: enhancing the creative climate at workplace meetings with play cues. American Journal of Play, 9(1), 71-86.