W5P1: Burdens of Creativity

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331210839_In_Pursuit_of_Polymaths_Understanding_Renaissance_Persons_of_the_21st_Century

Polymaths are driven by curiosity; curiosity defines what it is polymaths do. In fact, in more recent times, the idea of “CQ,” has emerged which stands for curiosity quotient, similar to IQ (intelligence quotient) (White, 2009)

These types of people are more likely to have high levels of knowledge acquisition over their lifetimes and that level of expertise means they may interpret complex situations into familiar ones. So, individuals with high CQs are often very adept at producing simple solutions to complex problems (Chamorro-Premuzic, 2014)

Curiosity is associated with higher academic performance (Von Stumm, Hell, and Chamorro-Premuzic, 2011). People who are highly curious engage in deep learning and may be intrinsically motivated (have an internal locus of control) to study subjects beyond what is even required—beyond simple compliance; this intrinsic motivation may come from the values they hold, their upbringing, culture, etc

Self Actualization: “the full use and exploitation of [one’s] talents, capacities, potentialities, etc.” (Maslow, 1970, p. 150)

 there are drawbacks to being a multi-disciplinary expert. Obviously, one drawback is the amount of time and resources it takes to become expert in multiple fields (Terjesen and Politis, 2015)

multi-disciplinary experts tend to publish less and be less visible (Leahey, 2007). As a result, multi-disciplinary scholars may have a harder time gaining legitimacy (Terjesen and Politis, 2015).

Another downside is the difficulty involved in learning vast amounts of disparate information (Jones, 2009). “If knowledge accumulates as technology advances, then successive generations of innovators may face an increasing educational burden."  (Jones, 2009, p. 283). It is significantly more difficult to master multiple fields today than it was in the past due to the increased amount of information known by mankind.

Polymaths may be viewed negatively as well, given the society we live in tends to value single-discipline expertise (Terjesen and Politis, 2015)

polymathy “may be a vice as much as a virtue in this age of specialization” (Robinson, 2006, p. 409).

People with high creativity can become dissatisfied and frustrated if jobs are mechanical or unchallenging

Creativity is important to consider when studying polymaths because it relates to the ability to do divergent thinking (Gibson, Folley, and Park, 2009)

in recent years, efforts have been underway to understand how to develop capabilities to be innovative so that such educational interventions can be implemented for gifted children so that they will grow into adult innovators (Shavinina, 2013)

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