"Creative Synthesis- Exploring the process of extraordinary group creativity" by Sarah Harvey

Summary

This academic article proposes a dialectical model of extraordinary group creativity, suggesting that rather than simply generating a wide variety of ideas, breakthrough creative output arises from the integration of diverse perspectives within a group, which the author terms creative synthesis. This synthesis acts as a dynamic framework guiding the development of radical ideas, or exemplars, which in turn refine the synthesis over time. The author contrasts this with traditional random variation models of creativity, arguing that creative synthesis offers a better explanation for groups that consistently produce groundbreaking results. The article outlines process facilitators of this synthesis, such as collective attention and enacting ideas, and discusses how group resources like cognitive skills and diversity serve as boundary conditions for the model.