IDHOL, a Holistic Model for the Analysis of Individual Differences in the Creative Process

This paper introduces a new dynamic theoretical framework for understanding the role of indivi- dual differences (IDs) as necessary mechanisms in the creative process: the Individual Differences HOListic (IDHOL) model. First, through a series of questions, some micro- and macro dynamics in which IDs participate as organizers of the creative process are explained. The IDHOL model essentially explains where and when IDs can influence the creative process by considering three layers of influence, each of them representing a possible level of analysis for the study of IDs in creativity research: the psycho-biological layer, the context layer, and the creative states layer. This model is intentionally used to show that individuals can only be considered central to the study of a creative process if they are viewed as holistic entities, and that their idiosyncratic influences in the process can only emerge because of the interactive dynamics with the various places (contexts) and moments (states) necessary to the process. Finally, based on the structure of the IDHOL model, some research guidelines are given for structuring the study of variation in creative dynamics by outlining selected experimental examples from the author’s work of how the study of IDs can be included in the creativity research agenda.