Creativity in Latin America

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511818240.003

3 - Creativity in Latin America

Views from Psychology, Humanities, and the Arts

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012

David D. Preiss and

Katherine Strasser

Edited by

James C. Kaufman and

Robert J. Sternberg

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David D. Preiss: Affiliation:
Center for the Psychology of Abilities, Competencies, and Expertise, Yale University, and Potificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago
Katherine Strasser: Affiliation:
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago
James C. Kaufman: Affiliation:
California State University, San Bernardino
Robert J. Sternberg: Affiliation:
Yale University, Connecticut

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INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this chapter is to discuss how creativity is viewed and practiced in Latin America and the Caribbean. Creativity is a multifaceted phenomenon, so several perspectives should be taken into consideration. We have chosen to focus on two. First, we review how psychologists in the region have studied creativity. Most such contributions have regarded creativity from an applied perspective, with an emphasis on its modification. However, this work is not sufficiently informative regarding what is culturally specific about creativity in the region. So, after discussing the scientific work on creativity, we found it necessary to summarize some of the views about creativity held by creative minds in the region, specifically artists and writers. These innovators not only provide a firsthand account of creativity in Latin America and the Caribbean but also put their creative work in a sociocultural perspective; this is an emphasis that we deem very relevant in a region as diverse as this one. It is worth noting that, whereas the work of psychologists has remained within specialized circles, the literary and artistic production of Latin American and Caribbean artists has reached large audiences. Thus, to the extent possible, we intend to make a more or less exhaustive review of the work of the former to provide an account that is instrumental for other researchers in the field.

Type: Chapter
Information: The International Handbook of Creativity , pp. 39 - 67

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511818240.003 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2006

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