The dissertation analyzes the main approaches and methodologies of solving the assigned tasks on the issue of the creative process dynamics. Since the paper is aimed to research on the creative activity of outstanding artists, the selection of the methodological basis for scientific investigation is carried out according to the following conditions: retrospective and phenomenological nature of analysis. Thus, a group of methods related to qualitative research is selected.
The scientific novelty of the study provides the application of the author's strategy for qualitative research. It is implemented through information from the source base being divided into objective and subjective (with different degrees of subjectivity). The following facts are considered as objective: cultural and historical conditions of life and work of the subjects, biographical information containing data on micro events and other external factors that influenced the artists’ personality and creativity. Data that include a personal interpretation of events by the subjects themselves (autobiographical facts) or by their biographers, relatives or acquaintances, and that reveal qualitative features of creativity, personality, and significance of the events – are considered as subjective. This group also includes analysis and interpretation of the creative process and its results.
Furthermore, a theoretical contribution is made due to the author's own concepts and terms being formulated and defined, among which the following are considered: abilities; temporary and persistent interest; intuition; functions of intuition in the creative process; subconscious element of creativity; creativity; work of art; catharsis; insight and inspiration.
In the paper, a theoretical analysis of the categories “creativity” and “creative process” is also carried out; the central concepts and theories of creativity are reviewed; the classification of creativity as an activity based on the criterion of professionalism is presented.
The thesis presents the results of a study on personality traits and general psychological characteristics of the creative process of outstanding artists based on a comprehensive analysis of information of an objective and subjective nature. As a result of research, the relationship between the internal structures of the personality and the form, as well as the content of the creative act and works of art, is studied.
The general features of the psychological profile of the analysed creative people are identified, namely: high emotional sensitivity and traumatic childhood experience; special sensitivity of perception modalities that corresponded to the artists’ abilities; perfectionism in creativity; signs of bipolar disorder (manic depressive illness); no interest in fame, and others.
In addition, the main psychological mechanisms of the creative process are established. Among such mechanisms the following should be emphasized: the artists’ choice of the narrow genre of art is determined by their interests at young age or childhood impressions; intense and often traumatic childhood experience become the central theme of artists' creativity, their original and individual style; the content of creative works is often autobiographical; the phenomenon of being candid in artistic expression is established; intense emotions (experience) are the basis of the creative process and its products; via certain psychological mechanisms, the emotion embedded in the work of art exerts a corresponding influence on the recipient.
Understanding of the deep processes that are inherent in the phenomenon of creativity make it possible to further enhance the programs and strategies of teaching the gifted youth. Certain theoretical aspects of psychological mechanisms of creativity contribute to the development of training programmes for increasing motivation and encouraging deeper disclosure of people's creative abilities. The results of the study could be implemented in the following disciplines: personality psychology, psychology of creativity, general psychology, mental hygiene (psychohygiene). Furthermore, the findings of the study can be used in providing psychological counselling to creative artists who are in a state of creativity crisis or experiencing writer’s block.
