Have you heard someone say, “Oh, John—he’s so creative! I wish I was creative like
that.” It makes it sound as if creativity is a natural skill or talent, like the ability to sing or
paint. Other times people say, “I’m going to a seminar to learn how to be more creative.”
That makes it sound as if creativity is a skill that anyone can learn. So, which is it? Well,
both and neither.
Arne Dietrich (2004) wrote a paper on creativity from a brain and neuroscience point
of view. Dietrich identifies four types of creativity with corresponding brain activities:
Deliberate and cognitive creativity
Deliberate and emotional creativity
Spontaneous and cognitive creativity
Spontaneous and emotional creativity
Think of it like a matrix, as shown in Figure 37.1.