THEORIES

Acting and Current Theories of Creativity
Theories of creativity centered on the individual

Threshold theory predicts that there is a weaker relationship between creativity and intelligence for an IQ
above 120 than for an IQ below 120.
A. INTELLIGENCE THRESHOLD THEORY

 Torrance (1962) argues that intelligence is a necessary but not sufficient condition creativity from
the study of individual traits.
 According to the threshold theory, a certain level of intelligence is required for creativity to emerge.
However, above a certain level, which is usually set at an intelligence quotient (IQ) of 120, no
positive correlation has been found between the two constructs.
 Therefore, genius understood as a high IQ, does not guarantee greater creativity than average
intelligence. A discordant work with this theory is, among others, that of Runco and Albert (1986).
B. EVOLUTIONARY THEORY OF CREATIVITY

• The basic idea of biological evolution is that populations and species of organisms change over time.
Today, when we think of evolution, we are likely to link this idea with one specific person: the British
naturalist Charles Darwin.
• The creativity of human cultures is reminiscent of biological evolution because of the adaptive and open-
ended manner in which change accumulates. (Gabora, 2011)
C. THEORY OF DIVERGENT THINKING

Divergent thinking is cognition that leads in various directions.
Some of these are conventional, and some original.
Because some of the resulting ideas are original, divergent thinking represents the potential for creative
thinking and problem solving
D. THEORY OF MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES

Theory of Multiple Intelligences
• When you hear the word intelligence, the concept of IQ testing may immediately come to mind.
• Intelligence is often defined as our intellectual potential; something we are born with, something that can
be measured, and a capacity that is difficult to change.
Howard Gardner
• This theory suggests that traditional psychometric views of intelligence are too limited. Gardner first
outlined his theory in his 1983 book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, where he
suggested that all people have different kinds of "intelligences."
• Gardner proposed that there are eight intelligences, and has suggested the possible addition of a ninth
known as "existentialist intelligence."1
• In order to capture the full range of abilities and talents that people possess, Gardner theorizes that
people do not have just an intellectual capacity, but have many kinds of intelligence, including musical,
interpersonal, spatial-visual, and linguistic intelligences.
• The theory of multiple intelligences enjoys considerable popularity with educators. Many teachers utilize
multiple intelligences in their teaching philosophies and work to integrate Gardner’s theory into the
classroom.
• Gardner has cautioned that multiple intelligences should not be conflated with learning styles. (It is also
important to stress that evidence has found that matching instruction to a learner's perceived style has no
benefits in terms of learning outcomes or educational attainment.)
1. VISUAL-SPATIAL INTELLIGENCE People who are strong in visual-spatial intelligence are good at
visualizing things. These individuals are often good with directions as well as maps, charts, videos,
and pictures.
STRENGTHS
• Visual and spatial judgment
CHARACTERISTICS People with visual-spatial intelligence:
• Read and write for enjoyment
• Are good at putting puzzles together
• Interpret pictures, graphs, and charts well
• Enjoy drawing, painting, and the visual arts
• Recognize patterns easily
POTENTIAL CAREER CHOICES
•Architect
•Artist
•Engineer
2. LINGUISTIC-VERBAL INTELLIGENCE People who are strong in linguistic-verbal intelligence are
able to use words well, both when writing and speaking. These individuals are typically very good at
writing stories, memorizing information, and reading.
STRENGTHS
• Words, language, and writing
CHARACTERISTICS
•Remember written and spoken information
•Enjoy reading and writing
•Debate or give persuasive speeches
•Are able to explain things well
•Use humor when telling stories
•Writer/journalist
•Lawyer
•Teacher
3. LOGICAL-MATHEMATICAL INTELLIGENCE People who are strong in logicalmathematical

intelligence are good at reasoning, recognizing patterns, and logically analyzing problems. These
individuals tend to think conceptually about numbers, relationships, and patterns.
STRENGTHS
• Analyzing problems and mathematical operations
CHARACTERISTICS
•Have excellent problem-solving skills
•Enjoy thinking about abstract ideas
•Like conducting scientific experiments
•Can solve complex computations
•Scientist
•Mathematician
•Computer programmer
•Engineer
•Accountant
4. BODILY-KINESTHETIC INTELLIGENCE Those who have high bodilykinesthetic intelligence are

said to be good at body movement, performing actions, and physical control. People who are strong
in this area tend to have excellent hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
STRENGTHS
• Physical movement, motor control
CHARACTERISTICS People with bodily-kinesthetic intelligence:
•Are skilled at dancing and sports
•Enjoy creating things with his or her hands
•Have excellent physical coordination
•Remember by doing, rather than hearing or seeing
•Craftsperson
•Dancer
•Builder
•Surgeon
•Sculptor
•Actor
5. MUSICAL INTELLIGENCE People who have strong musical intelligence are good at thinking in
patterns, rhythms, and sounds. They have a strong appreciation for music and are often good at
musical composition and performance.
STRENGTHS
• Rhythm and music
CHARACTERISTICS
•Enjoy singing and playing musical instruments
•Recognize musical patterns and tones easily
•Remember songs and melodies
•Have a rich understanding of musical structure, rhythm, and notes
•Musician
•Composer
•Singer
•Music teacher
•Conductor
6. INTERPERSONAL INTELLIGENCE Those who have strong interpersonal intelligence are good at
understanding and interacting with other people. These individuals are skilled at assessing the
emotions, motivations, desires, and intentions of those around them.
STRENGTHS
• Understanding and relating to other people CHARACTERISTICS People with interpersonal intelligence:
•Communicate well verbally
•Are skilled at nonverbal communication
•See situations from different perspectives
•Create positive relationships with others
•Resolve conflicts in group settings
POTENTIAL CAREER CHOICES If you're strong in interpersonal intelligence, good career choices for you
are: •Psychologist
•Philosopher
•Counselor
•Salesperson
•Politician
7. INTRAPERSONAL INTELLIGENCE Individuals who are strong in intrapersonal intelligence are

good at being aware of their own emotional states, feelings, and motivations. They tend to enjoy
self-reflection and analysis, including daydreaming, exploring relationships with others, and
assessing their personal strengths.
STRENGTHS
• Introspection and self-reflection Characteristics
•Analyze their strengths and weaknesses well
•Enjoy analyzing theories and ideas
•Have excellent self-awareness
•Understand the basis for his or her own motivations and feelings
•Philosopher
•Writer
•Theorist
•Scientist
8. NATURALISTIC INTELLIGENCE Naturalistic is the most recent addition to Gardner’s theory and
has been met with more resistance than his original seven intelligences. According to Gardner,
individuals who are high in this type of intelligence are more in tune with nature and are often
interested in nurturing, exploring the environment, and learning about other species. These
individuals are said to be highly aware of even subtle changes to their environments.
STRENGTHS
• Finding patterns and relationships to nature
CHARACTERISTICS
•Are interested in subjects such as botany, biology, and zoology
•Categorize and catalog information easily
•Enjoy camping, gardening, hiking, and exploring the outdoors
•Dislikes learning unfamiliar topics that have no connection to nature
•Biologist
•Conservationist
• Gardener
 Farmer
9. EXISTENTIAL INTELLIGENCE Existential intelligence is the ninth type of intelligence suggested as

an addition to Gardner's original theory. He described existential intelligence as an ability to delve
into deeper questions about life and existence. People with this type of intelligence contemplate the
"big" questions about topics such as the meaning of life and how actions can serve larger goals.
STRENGTHS
• An ability to see the big picture
CHARACTERISTICS
•Have a long-term outlook
•Consider how current actions influence future outcomes
•Interest in questions about the meaning of life and death
•Strong interest and concern for others
•The ability to see situations from an outside perspective
•Philosopher
•Theologian
•Pastoral counselor
•Pastor
E. INVESTMENT THEORY
• Our investment theory (Sternberg & Lubart, 1991, 1995) concerns the decision to be creative.
• Investment theory, is based on the notion that creative people decide to buy low and sell high in the world
of ideas – that is, they generate ideas that tend to “defy the crowd” (buy low), and then, when they have
persuaded many people, they sell high, meaning they move on to the next unpopular idea (see also
Rubenson & Runco, 1992).

THEORIES

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Acting and Current Theories of Creativity

Theories of creativity centered on the individual

A. INTELLIGENCE THRESHOLD THEORY

B. EVOLUTIONARY THEORY OF CREATIVITY

C. THEORY OF DIVERGENT THINKING

D. THEORY OF MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES

3. LOGICAL-MATHEMATICAL INTELLIGENCE People who are strong in logicalmathematical

4. BODILY-KINESTHETIC INTELLIGENCE Those who have high bodilykinesthetic intelligence are

7. INTRAPERSONAL INTELLIGENCE Individuals who are strong in intrapersonal intelligence are

9. EXISTENTIAL INTELLIGENCE Existential intelligence is the ninth type of intelligence suggested as

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