Journal of Creative Behavior 191 Volume 44 Number 3 Third Quarter 2010 PANAGIOTIS G. KAMPYLIS JURI VALTANEN Redefining Creativity — Analyzing Definitions, Collocations, and Consequences ABSTRACT How holistically is human creativity defined, investigated, and understood? Until recently, most scientific research on creativity has focused on its positive side. However, creativity might not only be a desirable resource but also be a potential threat. In order to redefine creativity we need to analyze and understand defini- tions, collocations, and consequences of creativity. In this paper, we reviewed 42 explicit definitions and 120 collocations. The thematic analysis of our data reveals that the vast majority of creativity definitions do not emphasize the positive/negative aspects of the concept. Neither are the negative aspects of creativity emphasized in its numerous collocations. Thus, we propose a compre- hensive definition of creativity and a three-dimensional analytical framework for investigating its consequences, positive and/or negative. Finally, we highlight the need to move to a new era of conscientious creativity, in which all humans are considered able and wise enough to create something ethical and constructive for everyone in society. INTRODUCTION Can a human being with a creative idea be a fatal combination? This crucial question we attempt to answer in this paper. Nowadays, everyone seems to admire creativity, which is believed to hold the solution to all problems present and future. We can witness this vast interest in creativity in various contexts, such as education, in which creative thinking is considered a key skill for future citizens (e.g. Craft, Gardner, & Claxton, 2008), or in organizations, where corpo- rations strive to dominate international markets through creative ideas and products (e.g. Baucus, Norton, Baucus, & Human, 2008). The noun creativity is not only a relatively new and fashionable but also confusing, even misunderstood, term, which appeared for the first time in printed form in 1875 (“creativity”, 2009). It derives from the Latin creatus (past