Before the Gates of Excellence The Determinants of Creative Genius [Paperback]

Before the Gates of Excellence is an exceptionally well-written and lively account of the nature of productive creativity or 'genius'.Before the Gates of Excellence is an exceptionally well-written and lively account of the nature of productive creativity or genius. It is a comprehensive survey of knowledge about productive creativity: it explores the theoretical concepts of creativity and the creative process, and attempts to explain the determining factors.Before the Gates of Excellence is an exceptionally well-written and lively account of the nature of productive creativity or genius. It is a comprehensive survey of knowledge about productive creativity: it explores the theoretical concepts of creativity and the creative process, and attempts to explain the determining factors.Before the Gates of Excellence is an exceptionally well-written and lively account of the nature of productive creativity or 'genius'. It is a comprehensive survey of knowledge about productive creativity: it explores the theoretical concepts of creativity and the creative process, and attempts to explain the determining factors. Almost all schools of thought and methodological approaches are represented. The facts and ideas discussed are drawn not only from the findings of psychological research but also from biographical studies, autobiographical accounts and personal documents, illustrating the interacting influences of social environments, personality, life experiences, etc. This clear and comprehensive account of the determinants and processes of creativity will appeal to undergraduates and graduate students of psychology and is readily accessible to the general reader.Prologue; Modern conceptions of creativity; The focus of this book; Part I. Perspective: 1. Genius and creativity: historical perspective of theory and research; 2. Methods used in research on productive creators; Part II. The Creative Person: 3. Social background; 4. The home environment; 5. Education and career; 6l,