Vigilance of the Heart
Other Works
BOOK CHAPTERS – CREATIVITY
Horan, R. (2011). Serendipity. In Steven R. Pritzker and Mark A. Runco (eds.) Encyclopedia of Creativity, 2nd Edition, Vol.2, Oxford: Elsevier.
Horan, R. (2011). Spirituality. In Steven R. Pritzker and Mark A. Runco (eds.) Encyclopedia of Creativity, 2nd Edition, Vol.2, Oxford: Elsevier.
JOURNAL PAPERS – CREATIVITY
Horan, R. (2009). The neuropsychological connection between creativity and meditation. Creativity Research Journal 21, (2-3), 199-222.
Abstract
Prior investigations into a creativity-meditation connection involving diverse meditation strategies, proficiency levels and creativity measurement instruments presented mixed results. These results are explained through evidence (primarily from EEG studies) supporting the hypothesis that meditation training variously enhances creative incubation and illumination via transcendence and integration, neuropsychological mechanisms common to both processes. Transcendence surpasses informational limits while integration transforms informational boundaries. In this respect, increased low-alpha power reflects reduced cortical activity and detached witnessing of multimodal information processing; theta indicates an implicit affect-based orientation toward satisfaction and encoding of new information; delta reflects neural silence, signal matching and surprise while gamma indicates heightened awareness, temporal-spatial binding and salience. Cortical intra-interhemispheric synchronization, within these EEG spectral bands, is essential to effective creativity and meditation. The relative impact on creativity of various meditation strategies (mindfulness, concentrative and combined) is discussed. Sanyama, an ancient yogic attentional technique embodying both transcendence and integration, provides a unique neuropsychological explanation for extraordinary creativity.
Horan, R. (2007). The relationship between creativity and intelligence: A combined yogic-scientific approach. Creativity Research Journal. 19, (2–3), 179–202.
Abstract
Three ancient yogic philosophies, describing the evolution of cognitive–affective phenomena toward the nondual state of yoga, or union, (e.g., dissolution of the subject–object dichotomy) couple with empirical studies to redefine, and expand, existing constructs for, and relationship between, creativity and intelligence. The Ocean Model addresses the integration of novelty, appropriateness, and authenticity in creative endeavor with intelligence: the intrinsic factors being recognition, informational limitation, choice, and selective adaptation to the environment. Creativity and intelligence are described in three increasingly subtle states, crystallized, fluid, and vacuous, which are influenced by the psychological interplay of dispassion (vairagya) and discrimination (viveka) at variegated levels. It is argued that the key difference between intelligence and creativity lies in the nature of intention: whether limited or, transcendent. A 9-module matrix is developed to map variations in the expanded creativity–intelligence relationship. Suggestions for empirically testing the Ocean Model are further supported by studies of empathy and wisdom. A unique method to test dispassion, involving ambivalent character traits and their relationship to psychological integration, is presented.
OTHER PAPERS – CREATIVITY
Horan, R. (2011). Measuring Creative Contribution: The Creative Momentum Assessment Model. http://polyu.academia.edu/RoyHoran
Abstract
The Creative Momentum Assessment Model (CMAM) is a criterion-based assessment system which applies the phenomenon of psychological momentum to creative ideas, products and expressions. It embodies, and extends, previous theoretical and experimental approaches to measuring creative contributions. It implements accountable self-grading, critical reflection, expert assessment, and timely feedback in conjunction with a criterion-baseline comprised of paradigm-related creative movements, novelty, problem resolution, elaboration and synthesis. Multiple creative contributions, completed by seventy-seven undergraduates participating in a general education creative thinking class, were both self-graded and assessed by a group of design experts using the Consensual Assessment Technique (CAT) plus by a small panel of tutors with access to criteria definitions, rubrics, critical reflection reports and self-grades. CAT assessors exhibited much higher inter-rater reliabilities and creativity grade alignment with the subjects than did tutors, highlighting the diversifying influence of conceptual versus perceptual activity, and novelty detection. More general criteria exhibited higher reliabilities than specific ones. Subjects tended to over-grade themselves at first, followed by more realistic assessments. Assessors’ reliabilities and creativity grade alignment increased with CMAM usage, even in combination with subjects’ self-grades. CMAM criteria factored according to the nature of contribution and assessment methodology uncovering four basic types of criterion dependencies.
JOURNAL PAPERS – INTEGRAL PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE
Leclerc, R. & Horan, R. (2017), ‘Fit’ for change: Measuring designer competence, International Journal of Design Creativity and Innovation, Taylor & Francis, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21650349.2017.1302363
Abstract
A deeper understanding of designers’ core competencies and psychological traits supports both design education and more effective integration of design into industries seeking innovation. The Integral Psychological Profile, an instrumental breakthrough in psychometric testing, measured a group of young designers for core competence and trait ‘fit’, or ‘compatibility’, to various design curricula. Psychological ‘fit’ was significantly associated with better academic performance. Creativity, exploration, and proactivity emerged as gatekeepers to design proficiency with additional competency alignment reinforcing success. IPsP traits, found in high performers, closely matched previous attempts at defining designer attributes. A more comprehensive model of designer competence was developed. Findings also illumined some key psychological guidelines for advancing design in business.
OTHER PAPERS – INTEGRAL PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE
Horan, R. (2017) The Integral Psychological Profile, A psychometric anomaly based on ancient Chinese wisdom. http://polyu.academia.edu/RoyHoran
Abstract
The Integral Psychological Profile (IPsP) is an innovative self-report psychometric tool based on eight fundamental properties of living organisms hypothesized to manifest epiphenomenally in human psychology as eight core competencies. It measures aptitude, application and proactivity-reactivity within the competencies and across fifty-six psychological traits. IPsP also measures the degree of balance, or integration, between its psychological constructs. IPsP is an unusual diagnostic and developmental tool that challenges present psychometric tradition. It represents nonlinear natural processes in the context of the eight competencies by adopting, in its design, the mathematical, binary-coding system and wisdom of an ancient Chinese oracle, the I-Ching, which has been employed, over centuries, in many fields of endeavor as a tool for prediction, reflection and innovation. The design, development and empirical validation of the instrument is discussed.
ACCESS to some of the full papers, listed above, can be found on the author’s research website: http://polyu.academia.edu/RoyHoran