Psychology Seminar | The Paradox of Constraints in Creativity
| Event | The Paradox of Constraints in Creativity |
|---|---|
| Speaker | Associate Professor Catrinel Haught Tromp Department of Psychology Rider University, USA |
| Date | 16 January 2018, Tuesday |
| Venue | HSS Conference Room (HSS-05-57) |
| Time | 11:45am to 12:45pm |
All are welcome to attend the seminar.
Abstract
Despite their usually negative connotation, constraints can facilitate creativity. This paradox arises from two related processes: decreasing the degree of freedom and increasing the depth of exploration. Constraints act by closing doors and decreasing the number of available options, which promotes meaningful explorations of unexpected, surprising associations within a narrower search space. This model explains why the most enjoyable and creative human activities, including sports and games, are rule-bound, and why Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham, written using only 50 words, was such a creative and commercial success.
Biography
Catrinel Haught Tromp is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Rider University, USA. Her speciality is Cognitive Psychology and her main research interests are creativity, language and organizational behaviour. She was the recipient of the Rider University Distinguished Teaching Award in 2016.