WEEK 2: Design Thinking and Process (Part 1)
READING
Csikszentmihalyi (1996) Creativity:
Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention
The paper, by Hungarian Psychologist Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi (1996) discusses the universal human capacity for creativity, and the obstacles to the 'flow of energy' such as workload, distraction, lethargy and indecision.
This is an idea discussed again in detail in the well-known TED talk by Ken Robinson (2006), which point blank accuses the education system of training children to be critical instead of creative. Interestingly, this 'human condition' was hinted at back in 1983 by the six-headed philosopher and surrealist comedian, Monty Python:
"THE MEANING OF LIFE:
1. People are not wearing enough hats.
2. Matter is energy. In the universe there are many energy fields which we cannot normally perceive. Some energies have a spiritual source which act upon a person's soul. However, this "soul" does not exist ab initio as orthodox Christianity teaches; it has to be brought into existence by a process of guided self-observation. However, this is rarely achieved owing to man's unique ability to be distracted from spiritual matters by everyday trivia." (Jones & Gilliam, 1983)
Csikszentmihalyi goes on to explain how creative energy may be limited by environmental and situational factors in relation to the hierarchy of needs, as described by Maslow (1943). That is to say that while we are fully occupied with meeting our basic physiological and safety needs such as food, water, shelter etc, we have no capacity for creative activity. I would argue however that this is only one half of the equation, since artistic inspiration and struggle or hardship have been frequently linked:
“Perhaps it's good for one to suffer. Can an artist do anything if he's happy? Would he ever want to do anything? What is art, after all, but a protest against the horrible inclemency of life?” (Huxley, 1923).
Importantly, the concepts of the "Creative Leap," the "Eureka Moment" and sudden "flashes of inspiration" which are all too often cited, are typically exaggerated and simplified forms of more systematic creative practice and/or design thinking. In fact, some would suggest that individuals need something like a decade of immersion in their field of expertise before the most creative work can emerge (Csikszentmihalyi, 2004; Robinson, 2010).
Csikszentmihalyi's work is about exploring the areas of human happiness, creativity and the state of 'flow:'
Csikszentmihalyi (1996) Creativity:
Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention
 |
| Did Monty Python actually tell us "The Meaning of Life"? |
This is an idea discussed again in detail in the well-known TED talk by Ken Robinson (2006), which point blank accuses the education system of training children to be critical instead of creative. Interestingly, this 'human condition' was hinted at back in 1983 by the six-headed philosopher and surrealist comedian, Monty Python:
"THE MEANING OF LIFE:
1. People are not wearing enough hats.
2. Matter is energy. In the universe there are many energy fields which we cannot normally perceive. Some energies have a spiritual source which act upon a person's soul. However, this "soul" does not exist ab initio as orthodox Christianity teaches; it has to be brought into existence by a process of guided self-observation. However, this is rarely achieved owing to man's unique ability to be distracted from spiritual matters by everyday trivia." (Jones & Gilliam, 1983)
Csikszentmihalyi goes on to explain how creative energy may be limited by environmental and situational factors in relation to the hierarchy of needs, as described by Maslow (1943). That is to say that while we are fully occupied with meeting our basic physiological and safety needs such as food, water, shelter etc, we have no capacity for creative activity. I would argue however that this is only one half of the equation, since artistic inspiration and struggle or hardship have been frequently linked:
Importantly, the concepts of the "Creative Leap," the "Eureka Moment" and sudden "flashes of inspiration" which are all too often cited, are typically exaggerated and simplified forms of more systematic creative practice and/or design thinking. In fact, some would suggest that individuals need something like a decade of immersion in their field of expertise before the most creative work can emerge (Csikszentmihalyi, 2004; Robinson, 2010).
Csikszentmihalyi's work is about exploring the areas of human happiness, creativity and the state of 'flow:'
- Focused attention on the task
- Working with a specific, clear, and achievable goal in mind
- Receiving constant feedback
- In control of your actions
- Time changes
- The self does not feel threatened
- The flow state is personal
- The flow state crosses cultures
- The flow state is pleasurable
- The pre-frontal cortex is involved
- Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly (1990). Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. New York: Harper and Row.
- Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1996). Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention. New York: Harper Perennial.
- Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2004) TED California. https://www.ted.com/talks/mihaly_csikszentmihalyi_on_flow
- Hocevar, D. “Intelligence, divergent thinking, and creativity.” Intelligence 4, no. 1 (1980): 25-40.
- Huxley, A. (1923) Antic Hay. Chatto & Windus.
- Jones, T. & Gilliam, T. (Dir) (1983). The Meaning of Life. Celandine Films.
- Maslow, AH. (1943) A Theory of Human Motivation. Psychological Review, 50, 370-396.
- Robinson, A. Sudden genius? The gradual path to creative breakthroughs. Oxford University Press,
2010. - Robinson, K. (2006) Do Schools Kill Creativity? TED California. https://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity
Great to see that you are really analysing the topic Stuart, but I am concerned that you are the only member of your group doing so! hint hint....
ReplyDelete