Reviews the autobiography of Fritz Heider and discusses it in light of current knowledge about creativity and adult development. Suggests that the field of human development and life-span psychology should study the poetics of human development. (Author/BE)

Evaluated novels written in old age by two contemporary British novelists, Barbara Pym and Penelope Mortimer, which revealed their late style was related to lifelong methods of adapting to changes in their situation. Found strength and direction of their creativity in old age fluctuated in response to their aging bodies and their new roles in…

We are delighted to welcome you to the International Psychological Applications Conference and Trends (InPACT) 2017, taking place in Budapest, Hungary, from 29 of April to 1 of May, 2017. Modern psychology offers a large range of scientific fields where it can be applied. The goal of understanding individuals and groups (mental functions and…

Members of an elders writing workshop reveal what the workshop meant to them. (FL)

Increases in life expectancy and living conditions are changing perceptions of traditional adult development. The Long Careers Study of 150 adults revealed three patterns of change: homesteaders who stayed in one career, transformers who made one major change, and explorers who changed careers frequently. (SK)

Sets forth some essential facts about the aging process and discusses issues of concern to those who teach art workshops to older adults. (FL)

Explains how to use the techniques of interviewing to motivate older adults in a writing workshop. (FL)

This paper proposes that, contrary to the idea that creativity declines during the second half of life, observed changes may actually reflect qualitative changes in the creative process. Life span developmental theory is used to examine empirical and theoretical ideas about mature forms of thinking in relation to creativity. (DB)

This literature review produces six generalizations: (1) creative career trajectories differ; (2) productivity declines in differing degrees; (3) creative production varies across disciplines; (4) ratios of quality to quantity do not change with age; (5) individuals vary greatly in terms of creative potential; and (6) creative productivity often…

The article reviews the literature on two questions: what is the normal course of creative development, and do peak periods exist during which people are most open to efforts to foster creative abilities. Six specific periods are identified as peak periods of creative growth. (DB)

Adult play develops curiosity and self-determination, builds knowledge of self and social relationships, builds self-esteem and a sense of personal power, develops powers of concentration, provides foundations for success and competence, and helps one value differences. (AC)

Explored the relationship between divergent thinking and self-esteem across the adult lifespan. Subjects from 18 to 84 years of age responded to a self-esteem inventory and an exercise in divergent thinking. Self-esteem predicted divergent thinking across age groups, whereas age differences accounted for little variance in divergent thinking.…

Examines a variety of personal qualities usually found in creative people. Discusses many theories of creativity representing a variety of intellectual traditions, most of which predict aging decrements of some sort. Suggests that the creativity decline may vary, or that creativity may change rather than decline with age, with differing stylistic…

This study evaluated effects on creativity of a Quality of Life Program for 55 older adults. Subjects participated in a variety of creative activities. An increase in scores (particularly in fluency and flexibility) by the experimental group supported a growth theory of lifelong creativity. (DB)

Popular misconceptions about creativity include the following: it is limited to a few unique individuals, it declines seriously with age, and it is associated with uniqueness or innovation. As the focus of creativity research has shifted from examination of the personality traits of creative individuals to examination of the social and…