Product Description

The Encyclopedia of Creativity is the sourcebook for individuals seeking specialized information about creativity and motivation. Subjects include theories of creativity, techniques for enhancing creativity, individuals who have made significant contributions to creativity, physiological aspects of creativity, and virtually any topic that touches upon the subject. Entries are placed in alphabetical order with cross-references to other topics and entries where appropriate. Each entry is written in simple easy-to-understand terms summarizing the most important aspects of creative research and writing relating to the specific topic. A bibliography in the back of each article suggests additional sources for more information. The text is visually enhanced throughout by illustrations and photographs.

Key Features
* A source-book of specialized information about creativity and motivation
* Includes virtually any topic dealing with creativity
* Entries are placed in alphabetical order with cross-references
* Written in easy-to-understand terms
* Illustrations and photographs throughout
* Contains select biographies of internationally renowned creative individuals from throughout history

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1550948 in Books
• Published on: 1999-08-02
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 10.77 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 1663 pages

From Amazon.com
Those wishing to study or provoke the creative process know that it is by nature elusive. Academic Press designed the Encyclopedia of Creativity, edited by Mark Runco and Steven Pritzker, to help pin it down by presenting the state of the art in social-science research and theory in a comprehensive, yet accessible, two-volume set. Nearly 200 entries, including important concepts such as Problem Finding and Serendipity, and biographical sketches of creative geniuses such as Sylvia Plath and Charles Darwin, fill 1,400 pages with insights and ideas for people working on the theory or the practice of creativity.

Be warned: Though it is accessible, it isn't pleasure reading. The biographies are occasionally enlightening (if somewhat arbitrary), but most entries are written with the social-science professional in mind and are consequently rather dry. This is no weakness for the serious researcher, however; in fact, the definitions and bibliographies are very helpful for focusing the reader's thinking about difficult subjects. The serious-minded student will find plenty to play with in the Encyclopedia of Creativity. --Rob Lightner

From Library Journal
This two-volume encyclopedia aims to be "comprehensive, and written for a wide audience. Here everyone from the casual newcomer to the seasoned researcher can find a broad cross section of information and even guidance about creativity." Unfortunately, that is only partly true. On the plus side, the articles (generally ten to 20 pages long) cover a wide variety of topics and contain lively biographical sketches of famous creative individuals whose lives have been studied in relation to theories of creativity. Contributors, predominantly psychologists, also include experts in business, education, and the arts. Each article contains definitions of terms unfamiliar to the general reader and also a bibliography. Unfortunately, as is often the case with collections of articles by many authors, the tone is uneven; some of the articles are inaccessible to nonspecialists. Furthermore, most of the biographical sketches, supposedly included to illustrate certain theories about creativity, do not adequately do so. Finally, the index is incomplete: for example, there are no entries for "bipolar disorder," "manic depression," or "depression," and although the relationship between depressive illness and creativity is discussed in the article "Affective Disorders," the nonspecialist would have a hard time finding the information. For large academic libraries only.
-Mary Ann Hughes, Neill P.L., Pullman, WA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"...an impressive work by any standard. We warmly recommend this tour de force publication... a must for every university library..."
-HIGH ABILITY STUDIES

"The Encyclopedia of Creativity is a highly impressive, collaborative achievement... Unprecedented in breadth and scope... a resounding success..."
-CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOLOGY (2002, Vol. 47, No. 2)

"...this encyclopedia represents a useful effort to bring together research on creativity and will serve undergraduate and graduate students well."
-CHOICE

"...something to catch the interests of nearly any reader with a curious mind...
-PERCEPTUAL AND MOTOR SKILLS