Creativity in groups is an emergent process that results in novel and relevant ideas, responses, processes, or products. This definition of creativity weds process and outcome—which will be
addressed later in this entry. Although creativity in groups has a long history of being studied in disciplines such as business and psychology, only recently have communication scholars paid systematic attention to how group communication and creativity are related. This entry explores the concept of creativity in a group context, examining how creativity differs from related concepts such as learning and innovation, the different factors that seem to hinder as well as facilitate creativity, and theoretical developments in the group communication field.

The term creativity is sometimes used interchangeably with related concepts such as learning and innovation. Careful examination, however, reveals that creativity is related to, yet distinct from, these processes. Learning may be considered to be the increased capacity of a group to adapt and change on the basis of newly acquired information, skills, or understanding. So while creativity generally indicates learning has taken place, not all learning results in creativity. While a group may increase knowledge, skills, and understanding of information, for example, it is when that knowledge, skill, or understanding is applied in ways that serve to yield novel products, processes, or ideas that are directly relevant to the task at hand that members engage in creativity. Thus learning paves the way for creativity and creative activity.

In addition to the production of novel and relevant ideas, responses, processes, or products, innovation adds the criterion of implementation. The main difference between creativity and innovation is that the latter requires a plan for how the group’s creative product will be put into effect as well as the actual enactment of that plan. Creativity is part of the innovation process.

Littlejohn, Stephen W and Karen A.Floss. (2009). Encyclopedia of Communication Theory.USA:SAGE.654

Penanggungjawab naskah :

Gayes Mahestu
Edwina Ayu Kustiawan