ABSTRACT
In this chapter I discuss the theory and nature of knowledge schemas developed over the course of the 20th century by cognitive psychologists and computer scientists as a way of representing beliefs and knowledge in one’s mind. Schemas have proved to be of great explanatory power in making sense of how minds make meaning out their experiences. In this chapter its particular role in explaining creative phenomena is discussed.
A typology of schemas, ranging from those that are universal and we invoke in our everyday lives throughout culture-specific ones to “intellectual” schemas that are employed in specialized and professional work is established. This leads to a specific schema model that appears most appropriate for understanding creative phenomena. Case study of a religious schema taken from the history of the creative tradition, and the role of schemas in the practice of science are presented in some detail as examples. The problem of representing schemas in cognitive historical explanations, the possibility of schemas as emerging properties of neuronal structures, and the means in which the mind may exploit schemas in unexpected ways are discussed in later sections of the chapter. Finally, the notion of an artificer’s cognitive style as a schema is discussed.
