Education and Creativity

Abstract

Abstract J. P. Guilford (1950) asked in his inaugural address to the American Psychological Association why schools were not producing more creative persons. He also asked, "Why is there so little apparent correlation between education and creative productiveness" (p. 444)? This article presents a review of past and current research on the relation of education to creativity in students of preschool age through age 16 in U.S. public schools. Several models of creative thinking are presented (e.g., Guilford, 1985; Renzulli, 1992; Runco & Chand, 1995), as well as techniques for developing creativity (e.g., Davis, 1982; Sternberg & Williams, 1996). Some research presented indicates a relation between creativity and learning (e.g., Karnes et al., 1961; Torrance, 1981). Implications for research and practice also are discussed.