Case studies of deviant creative individuals and their major life achievements.
Used with permission of Allison M. (Rusin) O'Dell.
Copyright 2002, Allison M. (Rusin) O'Dell.
Case Studies of Deviant Creative Individuals and Their Major Life Achievements
A Project in Creative Studies
by
Allison M. Rusin
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science
May, 2002
State University of New York College at Buffalo International Center for Studies in Creativity
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ABSTRACT
This project examined three deviant creative individuals, their major life achievements, and how they utilized the CPS process. Case studies were prepared based on the lives of Adolf Hiltler, Al Capone, and Nathan Leopold, Jr. Three questions which guided this study were: (1) Are there significant similarities and differences in terms of biographical and autobiographical data among the three cases (2) Can elements of CPS be identified in deviant cases and (3) What type of relationship, if any, will there be between CPS process and these deviant individuals' achievements Criteria were developed for the selection of the three historical cases. Data was obtained through autobiographical information, where available, in addition to biographical information. Criteria were developed a second time to select one major life achievement from each of the cases. Evidence for each stage of the CPS process was assessed using Creative Approaches to Problem Solving (Isaksen, Dorval, Treffinger, 1994). Evidence of Mess-Finding, Data-Finding, Problem-Finding, Idea-Finding, Solution-Finding, and Acceptance-Finding were analyzed using a Likert scale. Results show numerous similarities among autobiographical and biographical data, as well as identification of specific elements of CPS within deviant life achievements. The general results showed no evidence of Mess-Finding and higher incidences of both Idea-Finding and Acceptance-Finding in all three cases.

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