Humanity currently has a broad and undefined understanding of creativity.  It has been around for longer than we can imagine, having been an important part of defining a society’s standing.  Although creativity has this enormous amount of potential, there are very few places where all that is currently known about it can be found.  There are certain types of literature, where an author may try to define it, but the results tend to be bias or too theoretical.  Creating confusion for those who are more analytical.  This was temporarily fixed by the scientific community through their own research.  However, like the theoretical communities it is only taking its specification into consideration.  This is causing a gap in the information that the public receives.  By not having an understanding of both sides, the truth becomes opinion.  This slows, halts or skews development in all areas of study and human potential.  This problem can be solved if specialists from each field come together and research without bias.  In effect pushing humanity to surpass the imagination.   

The potential of creativity can be seen in many ways, even without a full understanding of it.  For example, a recent up and coming research topic in psychology involving creativity is the use of a creative outlet, such as art, to improve mental health.  There are many examples of how the expression of creativity has potential.  According to Sapouna and Elisabeth in “The Transformative Potential of the Arts in Mental Health Recovery – an Irish Research Project”, there have been an increasing number of studies about the effects of art and creativity on the mentally ill.  This is researched mainly on the specific implications of use by the mentally ill and stroke patients.  An example of this type of study is “Theorizing How Art Gallery Interventions Impact People with Dementia and Their Caregivers” by the authors Paul Camic, Erin Baker, and Victoria Tischler.  An example for its potential is in the study “Creative Art Therapy to Enhance Rehabilitation for Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial” in which it was concluded that “Creative art therapy combined with conventional physical therapy can significantly decrease depression, improve physical functions, and increase quality of life compared with physical therapy alone.”  Outside of controlled situations there are also other miraculous stories of art or creativity helping people through mental disorders.  For instance, there is an article about one of these stories by Patricia Brown “She’s Her Own Artist. And a Daughter’s Muse.”  In which the mother of Beth recovered from depression with the help of art.  However, improving mental health is not the only potential art has shown recently.  

The use of more complicated scientific actions in art has become more popular in recent years.  However, the potential of its use in the scientific field can be seen in Yoko Shimizu’s presentation “Integration of Art and Science | Yoko Shimizu | TEDxTokyo.” at TED x Tokyo, the possibilities can be seen as a mix of knowledge from both communities. In the video, she presents examples such as a bottomless container of water.  Also, using science and the materialization of natural forms, she shows how complicated shapes, that are difficult to calculate and create ourselves, can form naturally in an instant.   By doing this, she is presenting examples of how art, science and nature still have more potential that has yet to be discovered.  It also shows that art, creativity, and nature would be a factor that could majorly influence growth in the scientific community.  If this is not taken as a serious potential, then something amazing could be lost.  

There is a lack of availability for finding information on creativity.  This is not about the creativity that Dennis Vilorio speaks of in his article “Careers for Creative People”, he defines the technical definition of creativity “Creativity can be defined as the ability to produce something of value that did not exist before. You could harness creativity to design a product, make a blueprint, or write a script, for example. The outcomes of creative work may be wildly different among individual people or disciplines, but there are often similarities in the process.”  This is about learning more about creativity. When researching creativity, the main points that arise involve the benefits of creative learning in schools.  Yet, there is hardly anything for those who are trying to learn about it.  In Abdulla, Ahmed M’s and Cramond, Bonnie’s article, “After Six Decades of Systematic Study of Creativity: What do Teachers Know about What it is and How it is Measured”, they state “there is not complete agreement on what creativity is.”  It has been Six decades and the disagreement is disturbing enough to mention it and not a general idea.  Since there can not be a consensus about creativity it becomes harder to teach to a varying community.  As many distinguished people have said, “United we stand, divided we fall.”  If the topic is so difficult that six decades, with professional research, cannot reach a semi conclusive analysis then there is an issue.  Have you ever heard of something that was difficult to understand and not important?  In the past, science was not understood, but it turned out to be an important part of progressing the human species.  If working separately is not working, then now is the time to unite our differences and expand what is known.   

There is also the possibility that there are studies that are undisclosed due to a lack of progress.  However, if that is the case, then the studies should be publicized to bring more interest to the topic.  Many people have and are starting to realize creativity’s potential.  Some even devote their lives to understanding it, aside from artists.  The philosopher Stephen Davies speaks of a lot of different questions of art in his book, “The Philosophy of Art”.  Asking questions such as “When and why did art originate?  What kinds of things are art and what makes them art?  What is the purpose of interpreting art and what constraints, if any, govern its interpretation?”  These questions are closely related to questions that could be asked about creativity.  As Davies is a philosopher, having him try to ask questions about art and creativity could be the key to understanding creativity.  There are also those who are trying to explain creativity with physical explanations.  Such as, Semir Zeki in his article “Artistic Creativity and the Brain”.  For example, he says, “Visual art contributes to our understanding of the visual brain because it explores and reveals the brain's perceptual capabilities. As Paul Klee once wrote, "Art does not reproduce the visible; it makes things visible." But visual art also obeys the laws of the visual brain, and thus reveals these laws to us. Of these laws, two stand supreme.”  In this statement, Zeki explains how the brain is related to artistic creativity.  However, not everyone wants to devote their lives to this type of study. Therefore, if the information becomes available for all others then those who are not specialists can contribute.

 There is a technical definition for creativity in the dictionary, but there is still a need for more research on the subject of creativity. Many people know there is potential in this, and yet it is hardly spoken of in common conversations.  The effects of this lack of knowledge or publication are potentially detrimental to the pursuit of knowledge.  Not only affecting this area of study, but others as well.  There may be more that is understood about creativity than is seen.  However, because of the lack of publication, it still hinders research. To change this, more research needs to be done and a properly publicized definition needs to be announced.

 Although, most people have their own idea and state what they believe creativity to be, why are the prominent options not taught in schools?  It is not that creativity has no studies that have been done.  There are several studies that show evidence that creativity can help mental patients.  All of these are but few of the examples of something creativity may be able to do.  So, with so much potential, why is this not one of the most highly researched topic?  Theodore Hill and Erika Rogers note that, “Among the scores of characterizations in the psychology literature, there is no single, authoritative definition of creativity.” in their article “Gender Gaps in Science: The Creative Factor.”   This is true, it is difficult to find any literature of a scientific base to define creativity in a straightforward way.  However, who do we have that could be that authoritative figure?  At best, there are creative specialists who know how to use creativity better than most.  There are many different degrees in using creativity, but few to none on researching creativity itself.  Why would anyone without a degree in this type of area have any say.  This essay is not here to say if defining creativity is possible or proper yet.  The point is to say that the way things are currently is not sufficient and it is causing problems.  At the very least, we need someone who is authoritative on the subject to make the current knowledge of creativity understood.  However since there is no such person, everyone has to come together and learn.  Unless you want to sit and wait for a genius to show up.  Why are the answers to creativity to the current knowledge on so ambiguous?  Although, most people have their own idea and state what they believe creativity to be, why are the prominent options not taught in schools?  It is not that creativity has no studies that have been done.  There are several studies that show evidence that creativity can help mental patients.  All of these are but few of the examples of something creativity may be able to do.  So, with so much potential, why is this not one of the most highly researched topic?

The solution to understanding creativity will need the support of many types of people.  Those who are creative, need to attempt to explain what they understand about creativity with the analytical audience involved.  Scientists and Psychologists need to do more research considering possibilities outside of what is known.  Both types of studies will also need support from the others in funding and encoraging such projects.  

There may be some concerns from people about the cost of financing such research.  However, the benefits far outweigh the costs.  By having a better understanding of creativity and how it is useful in other aspects, interest will grow.  With more people interested in these types of fields innovation and advances in related fields of study will also increase.  The recent amount spent on creative careers is already very high.  According to Dennis Vilorio’s article “Careers for Creative People.” on the Burau of Labor and Statistics website, “Most occupations involve some form of creativity.”  So, if understanding creativity can help productivity even a little bit, it would save a lot.  “Engaging in a creative activity is, for many workers, its own reward. Workers do interesting or unique projects while adding their own style. Producing something that didn’t exist before leads to a sense of accomplishment. “Being creative is really fulfilling,” says wedding photographer Kyle Carnes of Portland, Oregon.”  Also, knowing this, we can infer, that it could be a benefit for everyone who is under stress.  These are several places where you can see the potential behinds understanding creativity.  

A recent up and coming research topic in psychology involving creativity is of the use of a creative outlet, such as art, to improve mental health.  There are many examples of how the expression of creativity has potential.  According to Sapouna and Elisabeth in “The Transformative Potential of the Arts in Mental Health Recovery – an Irish Research Project.”, there have been an increasing number of studies about the effects of art and creativity on the mentally ill.  This is researched mainly on the specific implications of use by the mentally ill and stroke patients.  An example of this type of study is “Theorizing How Art Gallery Interventions Impact People with Dementia and Their Caregivers.” by the authors Paul Camic, Erin Baker, and Victoria Tischler.  An example for its potential is in the study “Creative Art Therapy to Enhance Rehabilitation for Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial” in which it was concluded that “ Creative art therapy combined with conventional physical therapy can significantly decrease depression, improve physical functions and increase quality of life compared with physical therapy alone.”  Outside of controlled situations there are also other miraculous stories of art or creativity helping people through mental disorders.  For instance, there is an article about one of these stories by Patricia Brown “She’s Her Own Artist. And a Daughter’s Muse.”  In which the mother of Beth recovered from depression with the help of art.  However, improving mentality is not the only potential art has shown recently.  

On the opposite side of those who don’t view creativity as important, are those who view creativity as uncontainable therefore undefinable.   However, this is not right either.  At the very least creativity has been partially contained.  There have been scientific studies that have some explanations for creativity.  If this is not convincing then, warning, this is a lot more theoretical, since there are very few analytical arguments on this topic.  

Yes, the lack of sturdy evidence opposing this idea of unobtainability is part of the reason for this thought.  The thought or view of creativity being uncontainable contains it and makes it known. To be viewed as vast and never ending is its container.  Delving deeper, being contained is only from the current perspective of a human. The word creativity, defined by humans are therefore contained by humans.  The idea for something to be uncontainable has to be beyond the word.  Yes, there is the possibility that certain things can or cannot be contained physically.   The moment creativity became a word, any speculation beyond that it loses its meaning.  On a more reasonable level, let’s say creativity is uncontainable.  If that were true, it would still be beneficial to pursue a better understanding of something that cannot be understood.  Without this way of thinking, we would have never made it to the moon.  Just because there is a possibility that the goal cannot be reached does not mean you should not try.  As Carl von Clausewitz said, “Although our intellect always longs for clarity and certainty, our nature often finds uncertainty fascinating.”  Clarity is longed for and the uncertainty of creativity will lead us to pursue it one day.   Humanity has already begun the pursuit of understanding creativity, slowing it down would only be a hindrance to society.

Imagine, all the innovations that could have been a part of our society.  For something that is supposed to be a merging of ideas it seems like it is being divided.  If little to nothing is done this society will slowly or never improve.  As Dr. Seuss wrote in his book “Oh the Thinks you can Think”, “Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try.”  Although this is not what you would expect as a convincing quote, it is something that has a good meaning.  It can represent not only “the thinks you can think”, but also the things you can do.  You must try to do something, or important opportunities could be lost.  Zeki, Semir notes the main benefits and doubts about researching creativity, "Artistic Creativity and the Brain." “Variability confers huge advantages: it enriches our cultures immeasurably and is a key factor in the further evolution of human societies. Yet, as an evolutionary imperative, it also exacts a high price. It is often the cause of serious injustice and marginalizes from society those whose conduct or inclinations are judged to be deviant from the norm. Paradoxically, this may benefit art and hence contribute to cultural evolution.”  However if these thoughts are contemplated too long then we will not progress as a society.  Also being deviant from the norm has been proved to be more desirable later.  As with Albert Einstein, Walt Disney, Madonna, etc., different is not always bad. 

If creativity is as infinitive as some assume, it should be investigated more. That people, whose topic had little to do with creativity, had to note that there was not enough information is not a very good sign of the current knowledge of our most trusted minds.  Creativity has been around longer than there is documentation.  In what is known of the human past, art and creativity has always been one if the more prominent things that are highly valued or important.  The sphinx, hieroglyphs, literature, and clothes are just a few examples of what is viewed as important to this day.  There are many opportunities creativity could be an important part of discovering something that could be beneficial.  However, this cannot be researched as much because of the lack of knowledge for creativity in all fields.  There are studies using art or creative outlets as a healing method for the mentally ill.  This could be an incredible discovery, but one that cannot be fully understood or gained from, until creativity is known.   Does fine art represent the creative prowess of a culture?  Can creativity be measured?  Is there more than science can explain about creativity?  These are some of the many types of questions that are going unanswered.  It will take more than any one subject area to find the answers.  The confusion caused by the current understanding of creativity is hindering humanity’s progression in every way. There is a need for the understanding of creativity.  The best answer to this problem is to have all types of people work together and learn more about creativity.  This lack of knowledge causes a hinderence to our society.  Which costs far more than any expense of attempting to gain a better understanding of creativity.  Creativity needs to be researched for the benefit of society, and to prevent further deterrents.
