Faculty Publications

The Early Lives Of Highly Creative Persons: The Influence Of The Complex Family

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Creativity Research Journal

Volume

20

Issue

4

First Page

343

Last Page

357

Abstract

Over the last 50 years, theoretical, speculative, and empirical scholarship has examined the influence of early family context on subsequent accomplishments in children of high ability. Building upon 40 years of creativity literature focusing on optimal experience, this exploratory study applied the Complex Family Framework in a systematic analysis of creative adults' recollections of their early family lives. The study identifies evidence of the interplay of Integration and Differentiation, a catalyst for individual optimal experience, in the families of 9 creative exemplars who have made significant contributions to contemporary culture. Five participants represented the Arts and Humanities, three the Social Sciences, and one the Physical Sciences. The study demonstrates the utility of the Complex Family Framework in understanding families' contributions to children's later creative achievement. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Department

Department of Design, Textiles, Gerontology, and Family Studies

Original Publication Date

10-1-2008

DOI of published version

10.1080/10400410802391207

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