The present article is concerned with certain conceptual issues embodied in the description and understanding of creative behavior. Initially, we argue that although creativity has been defined in many way, the ultimate concern in studies of creativity is the production of novel, socially valued products. Subsequently, we review the literature pertaining to the development of innovative occupational achievement. We suggest that the integration and reorganization of cognitive structures is likely to underlie major creative contributions and that the application of existing cognitive structures is likely to underlie minor contributions. We then extend this interpretation to the processes traditionally held to underlie individual differences in creativity and note that both the major and minor forms of creativity will require a number of different knowledges, skills, and abilities. Further, we suggest that the effective translation of ideas into action will depend on a variety of individual and situational attributes. On the basis of these observations, we concluded that enhanced understanding and prediction will require a more sophisticated multivariate approach.