筆者在本文中,嘗試整理與淺論截至公元1999年為止,以英語出版的論文對「創造力」的研究與了解。本文屬於評論類,目的在於以評論的方式,向中文(Mandarin)世界裡,藝術與設計相關領域的教育者,介紹西方在此方面的研究現況,以利教學參考;並提供相關研究者,進一步研究之參照與借鏡。研究的方法包括:論文資料之蒐集翻譯,圖示分析、表格化分類整理,與分項歸納性的初步討論。討論依創造力發揮的實際情境分項進行,內容包括:創造的產品、創造的主體、創造的過程與創造的環境。 結論的觀點是,面對西方學者的研究結果,需以開放的態度保持高度的尊重與質疑。本文綜合其論據摘要為:「創造力」,需要一定智力程度的主體,擁有高度的內在動機;使「全腦活動」整體極致運作;透過一定的生產過程,創造出環境中被認可的具有原創性與價值性的產品;是長期培養而非單純的短期刺激可以產生或發揮的。筆者以為,現實中創造的「環境」會與創造的「主體」、創造的「過程」和「產品」產生交互作用,而形成複雜的連動影響,也因此使得「創造力」的發揮與認定,具有其多變和難以預測的性質,與高度的個別差異性。因此需要未來更審慎的假設,配合周密的研究計劃,才或許有揭開謎底的一天。
The writer intends to discuss the researches concerning the subject of creativity that published on English based papers prior to 1999. The aim of this study is to reveal the current understanding of creativity in the Western academic field to the educators of art & design in Mandarin world to add to their reference for teaching and further researches. The research methods applied in the study are literature review, classification, diagramming, induction, and primary discussion. The discussion follows the 4 facets of creativity including creative product, creative subject, creative process and creative circumstance. The standpoint in the conclusion is that one should bears a great respect and suspicion with an open mind while encountering the results from these Western researches. The synthesized contention is as followed: creativity yields to someone processes certain degree of intelligence; high internal motivation; activates whole brain function at acme; as well as creates original and valuable products through processes of production in approved environments. It is not achieved by a short-term stimulation but a long-term cultivation. The writer argues that, in reality, the facet of creative ”circumstance” is interacted with creative ”subject”, creative ”process” and ”product”. The 4 facets form a connected intricate motion system that makes creativity individual and ever changing, therefore the identification and prediction of it become difficult. Further hypothesizes and carefully designed researches in the field are needed before the possible answers of the riddles are found.