Chapter 1

Creative Approaches to Problem

Solving
 Creative Approaches to Problem Solving

Our Definition:

Novel ideas that will be

useful.
Creative Approaches to Problem
Solving

Whether it is considered from the

viewpoint of its effect on society, or
as one of the expressions of the
human spirit, creativity stands out
as an activity to be studied,
cherished, and cultivated.

Silvano Arieti
 Why Should You Study
Creativity?

1. Do you need to be intelligent to be

creative?
2. Why do we need to solve problems?
3. Why do organizations need to use
creativity?
4. Why as a society do we need to be
creative?
5. Is it important in mental health?
6. Do you need creativity in all
disciplines?
A print of a cup of
Folgers coffee was
placed on top of
manhole covers in
New York City,
USA. Holes on the
print allows the
steam to come
out. Wording
around the cup
reads Hey, City
That Never
Sleeps. Wake up.
Folgers.
This is an
advertisement found in
Vancouver during the
National Non-Smoking
Week. The car was
placed at the Vancouver
Art Gallery and the
message reads 'Death
from car accidents: 370,
Death from smoking-
related causes: 6,027,
Quit now before it kills
you.'
 Some Characteristics of Being
Creative
Fluency Risk-Taking
Flexibility Curiosity
Originality Complexity
Elaboration Imagination
Openness Independence
Capacity to Make Tolerance of
Order from Chaos Ambiguity
 Five Pitfalls to
Innovation

Working on the wrong problem

Judging ideas too quickly
Stopping with the first good idea
Failure to get a sponsor
Obeying rules that dont exist
 Three Principal Myths about
Creativity

Mystery - some people believe that

creativity is so mysterious it cannot be
studied.

Magical - only a few gifted people really

have it.

Madness - to be creative, you must be

weird, strange, or abnormal.
Elements of Creative
Behavior

MOTIVATION

CREATIVE
BEHAVIOR

ABILITIES SKILLS
4 Ps of Creativity
PRODUCT
(Resultant Outcomes) CONTEXT
(Press)
Climate,
Culture, Press

PERSON PROCESS
(Characteristics
(Operations
of People)
They Perform)
 Personal Blocks to
Creativity
Low self-confidence or Resist using imagination
self-image
Have difficulty selling
Voice of Judgment Ideas

Fear of Failure Lack of discipline

Tendency to conform Apathy

Resistance to change Isolation from others

Avoid uncertainty Too much reliance on

others
 Natural Process
Come up with ideas

Clarify the goal Ideas Try something

Clarity Action Test the solutions

Gather information Trial and error
Put a plan in place
Identify the problem
Wallas Creative Process
(1926)

PREPARATION

INCUBATION

ILLUMINATION

VERIFICATION
Is there something that might
help you to be more creative?

at home?
at work?
in your community?