INTERDISCIPLINARITY, THE PSYCHOLOGY OF ART, AND CREATIVITY - AN INTRODUCTION

The concept of interdisciplinarity is introduced within its larger int ellectual context, that of the relation between science and the humani ties, as well as related to psychology and, in particular, the psychol ogy of art and creativity. Empirical research on the arts and creativi ty is in a good position to further interdisciplinarity, but I argue t hat such studies are insufficiently reciprocal. Psychology takes more from the arts (e.g., its materials) than it gives back (i. e., illumin ating scholarly and artistic concerns). I argue that, if the scientifi c psychology of art is to become fully interdisciplinary, it has to ra ke greater account of artistic sensibilities and expertise. Suggestion s for achieving greater reciprocity are offered. Examples from my rese arch on old age, art, and creativity (e.g., the ''old-age style'') are used to illustrate an interdisciplinary model that, if followed, woul d benefit other areas of psychology (e. g., cognitive psychology) as w ell as advance interdisciplinarity in general (i.e., by showing that q uantitative and discursive modes of inquiry can be combined). These as pects of interdisciplinarity, among others, are discussed in the artic les that follow mine in this Special Issue of Creativity Research Jour nal, along with empirical and pedagogical illustrations, and conceptua l extensions.