Simonton (2010) presented a combinational model of exceptional creativity based on Campbell's (1960) theory of blind-variation and selective-retention (BVSR). The presentation provided an explanatory and predictive basis for comprehending the phenomenon with respect to individual, domain, and field systems. Although the model inspired future research, such as that regarding the "equal-odds baseline," its formal definition of "blindness" was inadequate. Recently, a new definition has been advanced that puts this essential concept on a stronger basis. Rather than relying on ideas drawn from evolutionary theory, the new definition depends on epistemology, which is more consistent with Campbell's original intentions. The result is a typology of rational, irrational, and blind variations, where only the blind are logically associated with creativity and knowledge production.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.plrev.2024.09.008 | DOI Listing |
Phys Life Rev
December 2024
Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA. Electronic address:
Simonton (2010) presented a combinational model of exceptional creativity based on Campbell's (1960) theory of blind-variation and selective-retention (BVSR). The presentation provided an explanatory and predictive basis for comprehending the phenomenon with respect to individual, domain, and field systems. Although the model inspired future research, such as that regarding the "equal-odds baseline," its formal definition of "blindness" was inadequate.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProg Brain Res
December 2018
Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, London, United Kingdom.
All creative activity brings about change, since it results in the production of something that did not previously exist. The act of creation is itself influenced by changes that have been previously brought about by others, including previous acts of creation. As with any human behavior, creativity has both biological and cultural aspects and is therefore influenced by biological as well as cultural evolution.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurr Opin Psychol
April 2016
Departments of Biology and Anthropology, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA. Electronic address:
As a process of blind variation and selective retention, evolution lacks intentionality. Nevertheless, intentional processes can be a product of evolution and can double back to effect evolution. This article briefly describes how intentional processes evolve, how they figure in human cultural evolution, and how future cultural evolution needs to become more intentional.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Hum Neurosci
July 2013
Department of Neurosurgery, University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM, USA.
Creativity is a vast construct, seemingly intractable to scientific inquiry-perhaps due to the vague concepts applied to the field of research. One attempt to limit the purview of creative cognition formulates the construct in terms of evolutionary constraints, namely that of blind variation and selective retention (BVSR). Behaviorally, one can limit the "blind variation" component to idea generation tests as manifested by measures of divergent thinking.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhys Life Rev
June 2013
University of California Davis, Department of Psychology, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, USA.
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!