The Janusian process: actively conceiving multiple opposites simultaneously as a mechanism of creativity¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The Janusian process is defined in the article as "actively conceiving multiple opposites or antitheses simultaneously", named for the Roman god Janus whose faces looked in multiple opposite directions. The article describes four phases: motivation to create, deviation or separation, simultaneous opposition, and construction. Its aim is to develop opposite ideas for a given concept and construct new ideas by putting previous and new concepts together simultaneously; CREACT operationalizes this process for classroom use.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• A concept or theory is needed as the object of the process, with thematic elements that can be identified and opposed

Constraints¶

• In this study the process was examined only via opposite and paradoxical conceptions in concepts, paintings and drawings

Target Learners¶

• primary school students
• students in any domain where concepts can be opposed

Target Learning Objectives¶

• creative thinking
• generating original conceptions from opposites

Claims¶

Related Theories¶

• Creact Teaching Tool
• Janusian thinking: holding contradictory thoughts simultaneously underlies creative breakthroughs and cognitive flexibility

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Akar, İ., & Şengil-Akar, Ş. (2013). The effectiveness of the Creative Reversal Act (CREACT) on students' creative thinking: Further evidence from Turkey. TOJET: The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 12(4). https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1272859