The process by which ideas are born and new human products created is one of the most compelling topics within the purview of psychology. Indeed, long before the science of psychology existed the mysteries of the creative act have been the focus of speculation and wonder. A brief summary of recent efforts to understand the sources and vicissitudes of creativity will be attempted here to provide the reader with both a framework for viewing problems and progress in this field and a background for the conception of creativity presented in this paper.