ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book seeks to challenge some common beliefs regarding the nature of creativity, seen as an innate ability, relevant only to the arts and threatened or stifled by education. It presents an image of creativity as psychology sees it: a set of cognitive processes, accessible to all and applicable to almost any problem or question, from profound issues whose impact is society-wide to personal concerns and challenges people all face in our day-to-day lives. The book considers the central role of language within the context of literacy development and instruction programmes in school. It evaluates the common belief that there are fundamental differences between the two genders in terms of abilities, personality and behaviour. The book presents the socio-cultural viewpoint on learning, beginning with one of the best known theorists in the area, Lev Vygotsky.
