What is Developmental Potential

The purpose of this chapter was to investigate creativity in adolescents and young adults and its role in psychological development. For this qualitative research, hermeneutic phenomenology/ontology linked with the narrative/biography methodology was chosen. To interpret the data, the pattern models of creativity were generated, by applying the concepts of complexity science, especially self-organization, with the theory of positive disintegration and the psycho-evolutionary theory of emotions. It was discovered that the process of creativity in young people is intertwined with the strong emotions of passion, curiosity, enthusiasm, and delight. These emotions are the driving forces that generate order and complexity not only in the creative process but also in overall psychological development. The presence of these strong emotions often contributes to lesser tension in young people's development, including a greater ability to integrate their experiences, to take their psychological development into their own hands, and to find direction for their future.