Creative Explorations

Infidelity

The Creative Process in the Writing of "The Iceman Cometh"

Albert Rothenberg, M.D. on January 1, 2023

Eugene O'Neill was preoccupied with feelings of committing infidelity and used the janusian process to deal with these feelings and concerns.

Eugene O'Neill was preoccupied with feelings of committing infidelity and used the janusian process to deal with these feelings and concerns.

Creativity

The Janusian Process in Creativity

Albert Rothenberg, M.D. on November 18, 2022

The Janusian process, consisting of the conception of two or more simultaneous, yet contradictory ideas, has been the creative basis of valuable literary works.

The Janusian process, consisting of the conception of two or more simultaneous, yet contradictory ideas, has been the creative basis of valuable literary works.

Anxiety

The Difference Between Insight and Inspiration

Albert Rothenberg, M.D. on October 14, 2022

In the creation of literature, inspiration and insight are markedly distinct.

In the creation of literature, inspiration and insight are markedly distinct.

Creativity

Creativity and Mental Illness

Albert Rothenberg, M.D. on September 27, 2022

Despite the overt and sometimes extreme mental illness in some great creative people throughout history, there is no necessary causal connection between the two.

Despite the overt and sometimes extreme mental illness in some great creative people throughout history, there is no necessary causal connection between the two.

Depression

Depression, Physical Illness, and the Faces of Rembrandt

Albert Rothenberg, M.D. on September 1, 2022

Rembrandt's self-portrait masterpieces unified the costume contours with his face, portraying the artist as a universal man.

Rembrandt's self-portrait masterpieces unified the costume contours with his face, portraying the artist as a universal man.

Intelligence

The Background of Scientific Genius

Albert Rothenberg, M.D. on August 24, 2022

Although it is often thought that geniuses are born and not made, the evidence presented here for all 20th and 21st-century scientific Nobel laureates indicates psychological factors.

Although it is often thought that geniuses are born and not made, the evidence presented here for all 20th and 21st-century scientific Nobel laureates indicates psychological factors.

Alcoholism

Alcoholism and Creativity: The Case of John Cheever

Albert Rothenberg, M.D. on March 14, 2022

John Cheever's writing of his most outstanding work, the novel "Falconer," was interrupted by a bout of severe alcoholism. After treatment, his creativity powerfully returned.

John Cheever's writing of his most outstanding work, the novel "Falconer," was interrupted by a bout of severe alcoholism. After treatment, his creativity powerfully returned.

Empathy

Empathy in Art and Psychotherapy

Albert Rothenberg, M.D. on February 20, 2022

Empathy is a crucial factor in creating art and is meaningfully effective in psychodynamic psychotherapy. Examples from the therapies of a woman and a male are described.

Empathy is a crucial factor in creating art and is meaningfully effective in psychodynamic psychotherapy. Examples from the therapies of a woman and a male are described.

OCD

The Link Between OCD and Eating Disorders in Adolescence

Albert Rothenberg, M.D. on January 17, 2022

Although anorexia has long been considered to be a manifestation of depression, it may be more helpful to view it as a kind of OCD.

Although anorexia has long been considered to be a manifestation of depression, it may be more helpful to view it as a kind of OCD.

Fantasies

The Homospatial Process in Visual Art

Albert Rothenberg, M.D. on January 14, 2022

The homospatial process is a key element in the production of metaphors both visual and verbal. Entire works of art and literature may function as aesthetic metaphors.

The homospatial process is a key element in the production of metaphors both visual and verbal. Entire works of art and literature may function as aesthetic metaphors.

Child Development

Creative Process in Poetry

Albert Rothenberg, M.D. on May 12, 2021

James Merrill used the sep-con articulation process to create the central metaphor of his poem about making bombs in the basement of his childhood home.

James Merrill used the sep-con articulation process to create the central metaphor of his poem about making bombs in the basement of his childhood home.

Fear

A Mutual Creative Process in Psychotherapy

Albert Rothenberg, M.D. on April 26, 2021

In the mutual creative process of effective psychotherapy, a patient and therapist engage in the sep-con
articulation process.

In the mutual creative process of effective psychotherapy, a patient and therapist engage in the sep-con
articulation process.

Anxiety

Poetry and Psychotherapy: Kinships and Contrasts

Albert Rothenberg, M.D. on April 9, 2021

Poetry writing and psychotherapy share significant psychological features, but are different with respect to resolving conflict. Psychological freedom is engendered by both.

Poetry writing and psychotherapy share significant psychological features, but are different with respect to resolving conflict. Psychological freedom is engendered by both.

Creativity

Creativity in Architecture: The Case of Louis Kahn

Albert Rothenberg, M.D. on March 31, 2021

Creative architect Louis Kahn regularly used the homospatial process in architectural design and in the design of the Congress Hall in Venice.

Creative architect Louis Kahn regularly used the homospatial process in architectural design and in the design of the Congress Hall in Venice.

Creativity

Creativity: Glistening and Attainable

Albert Rothenberg, M.D. on January 15, 2021

The terms "creative," "creativity," and "creation" are often used to apply to making something different, unusual, and pleasant—rather than meaningful art, literature, and science.

The terms "creative," "creativity," and "creation" are often used to apply to making something different, unusual, and pleasant—rather than meaningful art, literature, and science.

Creativity

What Is the Motivation for High-Level Creativity?

Albert Rothenberg, M.D. on December 16, 2020

The emotional basis of creativity in science, art, and other fields involves strong motivation to create—to produce an entity, theory, or perspective that is both new and valuable.

The emotional basis of creativity in science, art, and other fields involves strong motivation to create—to produce an entity, theory, or perspective that is both new and valuable.

Creativity

Artistic Creation of a Self-Portrait Masterpiece

Albert Rothenberg, M.D. on December 1, 2020

Rembrandt created a genre of self-portraiture, which are masterful works of creativity.

Rembrandt created a genre of self-portraiture, which are masterful works of creativity.

Environment

The Story of Evolution

Albert Rothenberg, M.D. on November 27, 2020

The theory of natural selection was proposed by Wallace and Darwin, influenced by divergent social attitudes. A new theory is based on the genome.

The theory of natural selection was proposed by Wallace and Darwin, influenced by divergent social attitudes. A new theory is based on the genome.

Creativity

Creativity and Psychotherapy

Albert Rothenberg, M.D. on October 27, 2020

Both patients and therapists are oriented to, and engaged in, facilitating creation.

Both patients and therapists are oriented to, and engaged in, facilitating creation.

Creativity

The Mutual Creative Process of Psychotherapy

Albert Rothenberg, M.D. on July 4, 2020

Psychotherapy is a mutual creative process involving both therapist and patient that produces beneficial change in the patient.

Psychotherapy is a mutual creative process involving both therapist and patient that produces beneficial change in the patient.