The present paper reviews creativity research within the cognitive and personological investigative orientations on five parameters of creativity as they affect the individual: (a) intellectual factors and cognitive styles associated with creativity, (b) creativity as related/unrelated to intelligence, (c) personality aspects of creativity, (d) the potential creative, and (e) motivational characteristics associated with creativity. Despite differences in age, cultural background, area of operation or eminence, a particular consistent constellation of psychological traits emerges. These persons also appear distinguished more by interests, attitudes, and drives, rather than by intellectual abilities. The assessment of creative potential should include not only singular intellectual characteristics but also cognitive styles and personality variables. Creativity research pursued on the basis of compound criteria from disparate psychological levels holds promise for more valid findings which may, in addition, contribute toward the resolution of conceptual dilemmas.
Using male/female high school seniors and college students (freshman through seniors), a 40-item, forced-choice, easily scored, group-administered, objective instrument (DISI-O) was developed, corresponding to Marcia's (1964) interview procedure, to assess five levels of occupation identity status in terms of crisis and commitment. Item and factor analyses demonstrated the construct validity of the status scales and discriminant analyses the predictive power. Showing acceptable reliability estimates, the DISI-O related satisfactorily to other methods of assessing occupation identity status—a Likert procedure and Marcia's interview. Chi-square analyses among the identity statuses and sex, grade and age reflected a pattern of psychosocial growth consistent with Erikson's (1963) proposals. Uses of the DISI-O by researchers and counselors were discussed.
The characteristics involved in ego identity formation in the areas of occupation, religion and politics, and existing gender differences were examined using 144 undergraduates (59 males) and (85 females). The Dellas Identity Status Inventory-Occupation, -Religious Beliefs, and -Political Ideology (three objective scales) assessed identity statuses, and the Omnibus Personality Inventory (OPI) assessed personality characteristics. Different characteristics discriminated among the statuses in each area: impulse expression and religious orientation in occupation; autonomy, anxiety, and religious orientation in religion; and thinking introversion in politics. The OPI masculinity-femininity scale did not differentiate among the statuses in any area, and no area demonstrated significant Gender x Status interaction effects for the personality variables.
Assuming that particular personality configurations would encounter particular situations and problems which affect their approach to and resolution of the identity task, this article considers the relationship of the concept of identity proposed by Erikson to those characteristics that distinguish highly creative individuals. Several hypotheses are advanced regarding the conditions encountered by these individuals in the process of identity formation as a function of their characteristics. On the basis of these conditions, it is suggested that their sense of identity is tentative and tenuous, involving a series of configurations, each more complex and comprehensive and reflecting a deeper penetration of their constituent elements. It is also suggested that this is a functional state compatible with their creative orientation.
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