ABSTRACT
This chapter describes contemporary understanding of the personal characteristics associated with creativity and innovation, defines each of the four main categories, and gives examples of characteristics in each category. For more than a hundred years, people have been studying highly creative individuals and making lists of their personality characteristics. Humerous lists, checklists, and rating scales have been used, encompassing literally hundreds of characteristics. Among the characteristics that influence an individual's ability to be creatively productive are knowledge, intelligence, and metacognitive skills. Knowledge and intelligence can also become blocks or barriers to creativity if the individual is closed to new information or situations that do not conform to previous understandings. Many personal characteristicis associated with creativity and innovation can be enhanced through instruction and training and can be sharpened through self-analysis and understanding.
