Date of Award

12-1973

Degree Type

Master's Essay - Restricted

Degree Name

Master of Education (MEd)

Department

Education

First Advisor

Edward DeRoche

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether two men who define creativity differently see differing characteristics in the creative persons they study.

The writings of these two men, Donald MacKinnon, who defines creativity as a product, and Abraham Maslow, who defines it as an inspired moment, were examined to determine what characteristics they found in creative persons.

The characteristics of creative persons were divided into four groups: intellectual, motivational, and personality characteristics, and environmental influences. Of the intellectual characteristics, both MacKinnon and Maslow found creative persons were open to experience, were less inhibited, less repressed, had less self-criticism, and less fear of criticism than less creative people. Of the motivational characteristics, MacKinnon and Maslow found that creative persons think well of themselves. Of personality characteristics, both MacKinnon and Maslow found creative persons were courageous and independent . There were no points in the environmental influences on which both men concurred.

In studying the characteristics of creative persons, there were no points on which MacKinnon and Maslow disagreed. There were many points on which they did agree, some strongly. Each made some observations not made by the other. It was concluded that these two men, who define creativity differently, do not see differing characteristics in creative persons but rather, markedly similar ones. The suggestion was made that further research be done on other men who define creativity in still other ways.

Download

Share

COinS