Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention

This institution the Salk Institute for Biological Studies was established with the idea in mind that there would be a crucible for creativity, a center for the study of creativity to explore with individuals who have exhibited that quality in the course of their lives.

Our respondents unanimously agree that it is important to let problems simmer below the threshold of consciousness for a time.

9 elements of flow: 1. There are clear goals every step of the way 2. There is immediate feedback to one's actions 3. There is a balance between challenges and skills 4. Action and awareness are merged 5. Distractions are excluded from consciousness 6. There is no worry of failure 7. Self-consciousness disappears 8. The sense of time becomes distor... See more

Creativity can be observed only in the interrelations of a system made up of three main parts. The first of these is the domain, which consists of a set of symbolic rules and procedures. The second component of creativity is the field, which includes all the individuals who act as gatekeepers to the domain. It is their job to decide whether a new i... See more

While a complex, stimulating environment is useful for providing new insights, a more humdrum setting may be indicated for pursuing the bulk of the creative endeavor—the much longer periods of preparation that must precede the flash of insight, and the equally long periods of evaluation and elaboration that follow... We need a supportive symbolic e... See more

Therefore, creativity does not happen inside people’s heads, but in the interaction between a person’s thoughts and a sociocultural context. It is a systemic rather than an individual phenomenon.