| Course ID: | EPSY 8620. 3 hours. |
| Course Title: | The Creative Brain |
Course
Description: | Creativity refers to the human capacity to generate original and valuable ideas. Following a detailed exploration of the theoretical and empirical underpinnings of the psychology of creative thought, the physiological approach to creativity will be examined through a critical lens to reveal unique promises (and limitations) of this exciting approach. |
| Oasis Title: | The Creative Brain |
| Duplicate Credit: | Not open to students with credit in EPSY 8620E |
Semester Course
Offered: | Offered spring and summer semester every year. |
| Grading System: | A-F (Traditional) |
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| Course Objectives: | Students will be able to:
1. Recognize the issues of significance associated with the empirical study of creativity in terms of definitions, approaches, and measures.
2. Identify and examine the core mental operations of relevance to understanding the creative mind.
3. Develop a critical understanding of the theories of relevance in relation to the creative brain.
4. Compare and contrast the similarities and differences in the information processing mechanisms of the major domains of creative enterprise, including artistic (visual, musical, kinesthetic, literary) and scientific forms.
5. Critically reflect on controversial issues central to the study of the creative thinking.
6. Identify the unique insights and problems afforded by taking on a physiological approach in the study of creativity. |
| Topical Outline: | 1. Defining creativity and measuring creativity
2. The cognitive approach: Processes and theories
3. The neuroscientific approach: Indices and theories
4. Physiological methods in the study of creativity
5. Major Types: Visual artistic creativity
6. Major Types: Musical creativity
7. Major Types: Kinesthetic creativity
8. Major Types: Literary creativity
9. Major Types: Scientific creativity
10. Domain-general versus domain-specific creativity: What is missing?
11. Critical Issues: Personality and intelligence
12. Critical Issues: Mental illness and wellbeing
13. Critical Issues: Boosting creativity (efficacy of alcohol, drugs, and training)
14. Evaluating the utility of applying a physiological lens in the study of creativity |