Genius
The Natural History of Creativity

Examines how genius and creativity arise and the factors which affect them.

H. J. Eysenck (Author)

9780521485081, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 11 May 1995

356 pages, 24 b/w illus. 17 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.52 kg

"...[Eysenck] expertly weaves together a vast array of research, and proposes a theory which, although as yet not fully tested, suggests a creative and viable synthesis of the research on creativity to date." Shari Tishman, Applied Cognitive Psychology

Genius: The Natural History of Creativity presents a novel theory of genius and creativity, based on the personality characteristics of creative persons and geniuses. Starting with the fact that genius and creativity are related to psychopathology, it uses modern research into the causes of cognitive over-inclusiveness to suggest possible applications of these theories to creativity. Professor Eysenck reports experimental research to support these theories in their application to creativity, as well as considering the role of intelligence, social status, gender and many other factors that have been linked with genius and creativity. The theory traces creativity from DNA through personality to special cognitive processes to genius.

Introduction
1. The nature of genius
2. Genius and intelligence
3. Creativity: measurement and personality correlates
4. Intuition and the unconscious
5. Conditions for excellence
6. The nature of psychopathology: psychotism
7. The roots of creativity
8. From DNA to creativity and genius
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Cognition & cognitive psychology [JMR]