CREATIVITY: IDIOGRAPHIC VERSUS NOMOTHETIC APPROACH

Two main approaches exist in the study of personality: idiographic vs. nomothetic. A combination of both is called psychological biography, i.e., an integration of nomothetic objectives and idiographic completeness. This approach was applied by Gardner in analyzing seven creative‐productive personalities. In Gardner's view the development of creating minds is not only dependent on a supportive environment, but also cultural and/or societal acceptance. The mastery of a particular creative direction starts in the early years and mastery needs exercise. Moreover, the examples given by Gardner lead to the conclusion that creativity does not exist as a general trait, but is alway domain specific.