Question

Summarize Cohen's four-stage theory of mid- to late-life creativity and give an example to

illustrate each stage

Answer 1

Cohen’s four-stage theory of mid- to late-life creativity pertains more to individuals whose profession demands creativity or are generally more creative than others. The first phase is the reevaluation phase, wherein individuals reflect on their previous accomplishments and formulates new goals accordingly. The second phase, the liberation phase, is characterized by individuals who have entered into their retirement and become freer to create. The next phase is the summing-up phase in which individuals desire to knit their accomplishments together into a cohesive, meaningful story. The final phase is the encore phase, characterised by a tendency to complete unfinished works or to fulfill desires that have been put aside in the past.