Interdisciplinarity, the Psychology of Art, and Creativity: A Special Issue of creativity Research Journal

This special issue introduces the concept of interdisciplinarity within its larger intellectual context--that of the relationship between science and the humanities, as well as its relation to psychology, and in particular, to the psychology of art and creativity. Empirical research on the arts and creativity is in a good position to further interdisciplinarity, but it is argued that such studies are insufficiently reciprocal. Psychology takes more from the arts than it gives back. This special issue argues that if scientific psychology of art were to become fully interdisciplinary, it has to take greater account of artistic sensibilities and expertise. Suggestions for achieving greater reciprocity are also offered. Examples from the author's research on old age, art, and creativity are used to illustrate an interdisciplinary model which proves to be potentially beneficial to other areas of psychology, as well as advancing interdisciplinarity in general. These aspects of interdisciplinarity, among others, are discussed in the articles of this issue, along with empirical and pedagogical illustrations and conceptual extensions.