A study of young artists: The development of artistic talent and creativity

Journal/Book: Creativity Res J. 1997; 10: 10 Industrial Ave, Mahwah, NJ 07430-2262. Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc Inc. 175-192.

Abstract: This study explored the development of talent and creativity in a population of 60 children (kindergarten through 5th grade) enrolled in a private art-enrichment program. The population of highly motivated and highly reinforced children offered an opportunity to explore the relations among the following hypothesized components of creativity: motivation knowledge, problem finding, ideation, evaluation, age, and context. The children were videotaped while they created solutions to 2 artistic and 3 puzzle-like activities; the observed behavior provided scores on problem finding, evaluation, and ideation. In addition, 3 artists scored the 2 drawing task on knowledge and ideation. Age was correlated significantly with knowledge in both drawing situations, but the relations between age and problem finding, ideation, and evaluation depended on the variable used, the problem situation, or both. In one drawing situation, controlling for technical expertise resulted in a curvilinear relation between novelty and age. The pattern of relationships among the components also differed with the drawing situation. The context, or problem situation, also interacted with the contributions of age, evaluation, and problem finding in the prediction of novelty. Multiple linear regressions of assessments of knowledge and ideation on the assessed novelty of both drawings revealed the significance of expressivity and composition in predicting novelty. The findings are discussed within the context of a developmental theory.

Note: Article Rostan SM, 29 Pine Dr, Woodbury,NY 11797 USA

Keyword(s): SCHOOL YEARS; MIDDLE

Zurück | Weiter