Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

The classic study of the creative process from the bestselling author of Flow

Creativity is about capturing those moments that make life worth living. Legendary psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (The leading researcher into 'flow states.' -- Newsweek) reveals what leads to these moments--be it the excitement of the artist at the easel or the scientist in the lab--so that this knowledge can be used to enrich people's lives. Drawing on nearly one hundred interviews with exceptional people, from biologists and physicists, to politicians and business leaders, to poets and artists, as well as his thirty years of research on the subject, Csikszentmihalyi uses his famous flow theory to explore the creative process. He discusses such ideas as why creative individuals are often seen as selfish and arrogant, and why the tortured genius is largely a myth. Most important, he explains why creativity needs to be cultivated and is necessary for the future of our country, if not the world.

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is a Claremont Graduate University professor and former chair of the University of Chicago's Department of Psychology. The Developing Self and the national bestseller Flow are two of his past novels.