by Michelle Powers

Created on: December 01, 2008

"Other mind bases like the senses, memory, language, and feelings-operate as conditions of creativity. As those bases grow in firmness, flexibility, and interrelatedness, our creative potential rises" (Kirby & Goodpaster, 2007, pg. 129 6). Creative thinking is the style of decision making Michelle's office makes use of on a daily basis. An idea will present itself to Michelle in an unorthodox way. For example; one of Michelle's responsibilities at her place of employment is to create art activities that correlate with children's stories. Michelle needed an art activity idea that correlated with a book titled "Who Hops" and the new 'Fit WIC' program the state of New Hampshire is piloting. While Michelle was looking around the office, she saw a tennis racket, and thought to herself "We could make rackets for the children to use, a movement activity that would be indoor friendly. I could attach a large popsicle stick to a paper plate, allow the children to decorate the racket, and paddle balloons back and forth." This example clearly demonstrates how the senses operate as conditions of creativity.

Creativity comes easier to some than others but amazingly children are often creative without thinking about it. Being creative in the workplace can show employers that you can solve problems and think outside the box. Creativity in the workplace may also demonstrate to the employer that you are able to work with limited resources. Teachers are a good example of being creative to get around budget constraints.

Creative thinking is only one of the numerous thinking styles used in the world. Analytical and logical thinking styles are other decision making styles that are commonly used. Analytical, logical, and creative decision making are similar in a few aspects. Creative, analytical, and logical decision making methods are based on knowledge already known. A person does not have to create knowledge or research knowledge when using creative, analytical, and logical decision making methods.

Creative, analytical, and logical decision making styles all require a person to have a clear understanding of what the problem is. A person needs to be able to name the problem, list the characteristics of the problem, and how the problem presented itself. When a person does not have a clear understanding of the problem he or she can cause the problem to worsen. "The opposite of clear thinking is confusion, and it can lead to costly conclusions" (KIrby & Goodpaster, 2007, p. 10).

References -
Kirby, G., & Goodpaster, J. (2007). Thinking: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Critical and
Creative Through, 4e. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

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