Differences between Intelligence and Creativity?

Answer 1

None of the 4 people above me seems to understand what intelligence is, so they are having a hard time distinguishing it from creativity. Whether people follow the older theories of intelligence as being something that is measured with I.Q. tests or the newer theories - first proposed by Howard Gardner - of "Multiple Intelligences," "intelligence" is a term that describes one's POTENTIAL. The older I.Q. concept limited intelligence in terms of one's potential to succeed in school; the newer theories embrace up to 8 intelligences, and thus the potential to succeed in those 8 areas: linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal and naturalist. (Needless so say, many people have doubts that the last one counts as a unique form of intelligence.)

Just so you're clear before I move on, intelligence is NOT learned and it has nothing to do with higher education and grades, as experts can assess 5 year olds on their intelligence (or at least their I.Q.; tests are still being developed for other forms of intelligence).

Creativity, then, is the MANIFESTATION of that potential. It's how one's intelligence shows itself. The general forms that creativity takes is through problem solving and producing original ideas, expressions and contributions to a field of endeavor. Thus, we see creativity manifested through such obvious things as musical compositions and scientific inventions, but also through shrewd business negotiations, marketing strategies and comedy routines (demonstrating forms of interpersonal intelligence).

Another clarification, then: (contrary to what Rit wrote) famous artists are most certainly very intelligent - either spatially (picture smart), linguistically (word smart), musically, or as dancers (bodily-kinesthetic). The only case where you'd get a "non-intelligent" artist is where the artist produces crap and the public still buys it. However one could say that such an artist is truly a comedian who is "people smart" (interpersonal intelligence).

In conclusion, it is possible to be intelligent and then fail to manifest one's full potential. It takes the right kind of education and nurturing for talent to manifest creativity.

Answer 2

I really liked your question. let me first tell you my background. I am a college educated professional from an ivy league college. I think they are very different. But intelligence can't survive without creativity. Creativity doesn't really mean thinking arts or abstracts rather an approach different than other. For instance it was Edison's creativity that he foresaw the idea of making a light bulb. he was no doubt intelligent but his intelligence survived only because he was creative. Discovery is also a form of creativity.

On the flip side I dont believe if you are creative only you necessarily have to be intelligent. Some of the famous artists were very "non-intelligent"

In nutshell I feel it's intelligence and creativity are two different aspects sometimes they co-exist sometimes they dont.

Answer 3

I am going to answer with an example:
Let's say you go to college and learn lots of things. You get the best grades. You are very intelligent.
Now, if you don't go to college but are the kind of person that uses all the available resources to create something, you are creative.
Intelligence has to do with analytical interpretation and Creativity with the best use of available resources.
You can be creative and intelligent or maybe just one of them. My best friend case: she is not intelligent but is very creative (didn't go to college, doesn't know much but has her own business and she does a great job! she knows how to use her resources and when to use them)
Good luck!

Answer 4

I think they go hand-in-hand. You have to have some sort of intelligence to be creative...guess you could call it "creative intelligence"....besides, it can go either way because people use the term "intelligent creation" Lol that's kind of confusing. Does it make me "intelligent" to understand it? :)

Answer 5

intelligence is how much you know, creativity is the ability to see things differently.

Answer 6

Inteligence is learned,
creativity you are born with, its inside you, you can't learn it.