Book chapter
Why does creative self-expression matter?
The Expressive Instinct
07 Dec 2022
Abstract
Why does self-expression matter? What pushes us humans uniquely toward imagination and expression of this instinct? In this chapter I provide an overview of why creative and artistic expression is fundamental to our survival and to our desire to thrive. I introduce evolutionary perspectives on human self-expression and creativity and innate attributes, including how they relate to narrative storytelling and art-making. This chapter provides an overview of the rest of the chapters to come, including the neurobiology of self-expression; the role of narrative; differences between art-making by oneself versus art-making with others; insights from indigenous and traditional art forms; developmental aspects of self-expression; trauma, adversity, and self-expression; contemporary perspectives; and, finally, reflections on the future.
Metrics
71 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Why does creative self-expression matter?
- Creators
- Girija Kaimal
- Publication Details
- The Expressive Instinct
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press; New York
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Creative Arts Therapies
- Other Identifier
- 991019295314604721