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Nineteenth century science neglected creativity, and the limited twentieth century approach (to 1950) was largely anecdotal. Recently, research has multiplied, although it has involved little experimental hypothesis testing. Creativity comprises many discrete abilities which often do not correlate very much with each other, and creativity and IQ correlate substantially only at lower IQ levels. Much work has been done in developing evaluative criteria for creative scientific production, and on teaching and learning creativity. Future basic research should concern transfer recall, transformations, reclassification, elaboration, incubation, environmental conditions, and motivation. The social consequences of releasing creative abilities are potentially enormous.

Before anything else, I should like to express my deep appreciation to Mrs. Walter V. Bingham for making this lecture possible and also to the committee of the American Psychological Association for inviting me to be the 1959 lecturer. I shall attempt as much as possible to make the lecture a suitable tribute to the distinguished psychologist whom we commemorate of this occasion. Appreciation is also due to those at Stanford University who have made the local arrangements. The selection of Stanford University for the scene of the lecture is a most natural one, in view of the lectureship's aim to honor institutions that have made outstanding contributions to the furtherance of methods for the recognition of talent. It is very noteworthy that twice before this university has been indirectly honored by the selection of Lewis M. Terman as the first Walter V. Bingham lecturer and the selection of Edward K. Strong, Jr. as the lecturer in 19S8. M Y subject is in the area of human intelligence, in connection with which the names of Terman and Stanford have become known the world over. The Stanford Revision of the Binet intelligence scale has been the standard against which all other instruments for the measurement of intelligence have been compared. The term IQ or intelligence quotient has become a household word in this country. This is illustrated by two brief stories.