Creativity is to construct new self identity:The creative life story of G. L. MacKay

• Main Author: 徐柏蓉
• Other Authors: 陳昭儀
• Format: Others
• Published: 2008
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/57187438588447112411

碩士 === 國立臺灣師範大學 === 創造力發展碩士在職專班 === 96 === The purpose of this study was to use a psychobiographical method to narrate the creative life stories of Dr. George Leslie MacKay, and to analyze his creativity in life by using a creativity theory called confluence approaches. “From Far Formosa”, the diary of MacKay, supplemented with past literature and biographies written by others were used in this study in order to interpret his personality and life. According to “Creativity in Context” of Amabile, MacKay had three characteristics: a strong motivation to pursue self-fulfillment in religion, specialized knowledge in education and medicine, and a “legislative” cognitive and working style, which was good for creativity and learning across different disciplines. The combination of these three characteristics resulted in the creativity of MacKay and his creativity was shown in the missionary model that he created in Taiwan. In addition, according to the systems approach of Csikszentmihalyi, MacKay was born in the nineteenth century, a century for oversea missionary work in the Christian history, and was born in a religious family who believed in missionary work. With his indefatigable efforts, he successfully became the gatekeeper in the system and further influenced the discipline and culture in northern Taiwan and Canada. MacKay was devoted himself to going beyond boundaries and to integrating resources for missionary work. In the process of expanding his life, his creativity was shown in how he determined his will, and constructed his new self identify. It also interpreted why creativity was courage. Implications for current situations of Taiwan’s society and for future research in studying the careers of indigenous outstanding figures in religion conscience were addressed in the end of this research. Through applying creativity theories to or developing new theories in studying the careers of outstanding figures, it would enrich the literature and methods in psychobiographical research and the study of creativity.