Cross-Domain Influences on Creative Innovation: Preliminary Investigations

Abstract

This paper takes a two-pronged approach to investigate cross-domain influence on creativity. We present a study in which creative individuals were asked to list influences on their creative work. More than half the listed influences were unrelated to their creative domain, thus demonstrating empirically that cross-domain influence is widespread. We then present a preliminary model of exaptation, a form of cross-domain influence on creativity in which a different context suggests a new use for an existing item, using as an example waste recycling of petroleum byproducts.