Choose To Respond To Either Of Two Activities

For This Activity You Can Choose To Respond To Either Of Two Readings

For this activity, you can choose to respond to either of two readings, Chapter 3 from the book Creativity or an article that three of us published a couple years ago. The chapter provides a general overview of the concept of the psychologically complex personality and the article provides a narrow analysis and discussion of one person, Oscar Peterson. I recommend that you look both over before choose the one you wish to read.

Option A: In the previous chapter, you were introduced to the Systems Theory of Creativity, where Csikszentmihalyi argued that creative people do not, as popular culture holds, work in isolation and do not achieve their success because they are lone geniuses. Instead, they succeed because they understand how to effectively function within a system, comprised on the largest level as the Domain, the Field, and the Individual.

In Chapter Three, he makes the case that highly creative persons can be characterized by the complexity of their personalities. They are both highly differentiated and integrated. After you have read and thought about the chapter, click on Activity 13: The Creative Personality. Within this topic, click “Create Thread.” Enter the subject line of your choice. It should be something that calls attention to the topic(s) you will be writing about in your detailed post, begin with a summary of the idea of psychological complexity in your own words. How does having a personality consisting of opposite traits position someone to be more creative? Include an example of someone you consider psychologically complex, maybe even yourself. Does this complexity help you or them to be more creative?

Option B: Please closely read the article "Assessing Psychological Complexity in Highly Creative Persons: The Case of Oscar Peterson." Gute, Gute, & Csikszentmihalyi _2016_.pdf While the instructions for this option are shorter than those for the one above, many will not find this article's topic or style their cup of tea. A few might.

It's a fairly dense and technical introduction to a series of studies we're conducting on psychological complexity in highly creative persons. After you've read the article closely, which will take some time, please write a detailed post sharing your thoughts about our claim for the presence of psychological complexity in creative persons and about our argument for how Oscar Peterson appears to have developed his introversion. Of course, as with all posts in this class, you can allow this to take you where it will, including any personal experience you might have with the development and coexistence of opposites that have served you well in life. I see this as an especially challenging activity, but am hopeful that a few of you will take it on.

Paper For Above instruction

The phenomenon of psychological complexity has become a pivotal aspect of understanding creativity and the personalities that foster innovative thinking. Rooted in the notion that highly creative individuals embody both highly differentiated and integrated traits, psychological complexity allows individuals to navigate diverse perspectives and adapt flexibly to complex environments. This duality—embodying opposites within a single personality—serves as a foundation for creative versatility, problem-solving, and resilience.

Psychological complexity can be summarized as the coexistence of contrasting traits within an individual, fostering a nuanced self-awareness and cognitive flexibility. For example, one might possess both introverted and extroverted tendencies, or exhibit both cautiousness and boldness. Such traits may appear contradictory but together facilitate varied social interactions, openness to new ideas, and resilience to stress. This duality enriches an individual's capacity to devise innovative solutions and adapt to evolving challenges, which is essential in creative pursuits.

Having a personality composed of opposite traits positions individuals to be more creative by enabling them to draw from a broader spectrum of perspectives and approaches. For instance, a person who is both highly sensitive and highly perceptive might excel in artistic endeavors, as their emotional depth informs their work while their analytical sensibility allows them to refine their craft. Similarly, a scientist with both meticulousness and intuitive insight can approach problems with rigor and creativity simultaneously.

Reflecting personally, I consider myself psychologically complex. I often find myself oscillating between introverted tendencies, requiring solitude for reflection, and extroverted qualities that motivate social engagement. This internal tension allows me to balance introspection with interaction, fostering both deep thinking and collaborative innovation. Such complexity has helped me to approach problems from multiple angles and adapt to various social contexts more effectively. It has also prevented stagnation by encouraging continuous self-assessment and growth.

Regarding highly creative individuals, empirical studies—such as those conducted by Gute, Gute, & Csikszentmihalyi (2016)—support the idea that psychological complexity is a hallmark trait. Their research suggests that persons like Oscar Peterson could develop their characteristic introversion and internal depth through life experiences that embrace oppositional traits. Peterson, renowned for his artistry and introspective nature, exemplifies this complexity by combining a reserved personality with a profound expressive capacity in music.

Peterson’s development of introversion appears to be linked to his personal history and emotional intelligence, which enabled him to channel internal states into creative output. His introverted tendencies might have provided the necessary solitude for practice and reflection, essential for mastery. Simultaneously, his capacity for expressive improvisation hints at an underlying psychological complexity—merging reflective solitude with spontaneous performance. This balance of opposites likely contributed to his profound creativity and resilience amidst challenges.

In conclusion, psychological complexity fosters creative potential by allowing individuals to integrate contrasting traits, offering adaptability, emotional richness, and resilience. Recognizing this trait in highly creative persons—such as Oscar Peterson—provides valuable insight into their development and success. Embracing opposites within oneself can be a strategic advantage, enhancing creative capacity and personal growth.

References

• Gute, J. M., Gute, T. L., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2016). Assessing psychological complexity in highly creative persons: The case of Oscar Peterson. Journal of Creative Behavior, 50(4), 302–317.
• Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1996). Creativity: Flow and the psychology of discovery and invention. Harper Collins.
• Baron-Cohen, S., & Hammer, J. (1997). The Essential Difference: The Truth about the Male and Female Brain. Basic Books.
• Simonton, D. K. (2000). Creativity: Theories and themes: - contrasted and integrated. (Vol. 1). Academic Press.
• 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.
• Peterson, R. A. (2006). Creativity and the development of the self. Personality and Individual Differences, 41(4), 575–583.
• Nettle, D. (2006). Common Wisdom about Personality is Actually Wrong: Reinterpreting the Evidence. Psychological Inquiry, 17(2), 139–162.
• Runco, M. A. (2014). Creativity: Theories and themes: Research, development, and practice. Elsevier.
• Schön, D. A. (1983). The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action. Basic Books.
• Runco, M. A., & Jaeger, G. J. (2012). The Standard Definition of Creativity. Giftedness International, 28(1), 75–87.