2. The collective unconscious is a term most commonly associated with the work of Carl Jung, a student of Freud's. Jung posited the existence of a grand database of human thought to which all persons have access. The idea that there is "nothing new under the sun" reflects the widespread belief in a collective unconscious. Common dreams, shared imagery, and similarity among world religions are extensions of the collective unconscious. The collective unconscious also serves as a wellspring of images, thoughts, sounds, and ideas that artists, musicians, and creative thinkers draw from during the creative process.

3. Archetypes are in fact part of the collective unconscious. Universal symbols or proto-ideas like "mother" or "father" are archetypal. Archetypes are what Plato referred to as the Forms. Jung deepened the theory of archetypes by illustrating how cultures around the world and throughout time exhibit the same core elements in their literatures and sacred texts including the classic male hero. Archetypes help ground the creative process...

Artists and thinkers may also draw upon archetypes for inspiration during their process.
4. The modular theory of mind is an evolutionary psychological term referring to the increased specialization of the brain's cognitive processes. The theory suggests that the brain adapts to environmental conditions, developing more honed tools with which to survive and thrive. Applied to the creative process, the modular theory of mind suggests that neurological and cognitive tools are part of the evolutionary process. Artists and other creative individuals will draw upon the brain's tools, causing each generation to be essentially more creative than the next.

References

Nash, J.F. (1994). "Autobiography." NobelPrize.org. Retrieved Aug 1, 2008 at http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/economics/laureates/1994/nash-autobio.html

Watts, T. (1997). "Sublimation." Retrieved Aug 1, 2008 at http://www.hypnosense.com/Sublimation.htm