The eureka process: A structure for the creative experience in science and engineering

Abstract: There is little in the literature that focuses on both the thoughts and feelings of scientists and engineers when they are in the throes of scientific creation or invention. This investigation was performed to address the question: What is the experience of modeling natural phenomena? Special emphasis was placed on mathematical modeling. A formal heuristic procedure was used to gather data from 12 scientists and engineers. The interviews were tape recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for general themes and points of view. The data, represented primarily in the form of a structural flow diagram, emphasize both the cognitive and emotional features of the process. The major features that emerged include the existence of creative feedback loops, unipolar‐positive phases of both illumination and acceptance, and unipolar negative phases of blockages to the attainment of the positive poles. Implications and applications emerged in the areas of creativity, validation, education, and motivation. It was concluded that far too little emphasis has been placed on the role that feelings play in the creative process, and it was suggested that it is important to understand, teach, and recognize emotions in order to learn to trust our own natural abilities and intuition.