Adaptive creativity refers to thinking that applies existing solutions, techniques, or products to new scenarios or changed conditions. Innovative creativity refers to thinking that results in new (innovative) solutions. Adaptive creative thinkers try to do things better, while innovative creative thinkers try to do things differently. Adaptive creative thinkers create original ideas that are more likely to fit the existing paradigms, whereas innovative creative thinkers create original ideas that are more likely to challenge paradigms. Those who are adaptively creative generally apply a disciplined systematic approach, want to solve (rather than identify) problems, refine current practices, and work well with a group. Those who are innovatively creative approach problems from unusual perspectives, discover problems, uncover and question the status quo, and are often insensitive to others (Kirton 1976). Together, adaptive creativity and innovative creativity describe the processes...
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Kim, K.H., Pierce, R.A. (2013). Adaptive Creativity and Innovative Creativity. In: Carayannis, E.G. (eds) Encyclopedia of Creativity, Invention, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3858-8_21
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