Psihologija (Jan 2009)

IMPLICITE THEORIES OF CREATIVITY: CROSS-CULTURAL STUDY

  • Milos Kankaras

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 42, no. 2
pp. 187 – 202

Abstract

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In this work we analyzed laypersons’ implicit theories of creativity in twodifferent national cultures: Serbia (N=257) and the United States of America(N=255). Relying on previous works in this field, we have constructed aquestionnaire comprised of 52 indicative and 36 contra-indicative personalcharacteristic which were rated by respondents on a 5-point scale on criteria of theircreativity and desirability. Results show that both groups have similar conceptionsof a creative person, which they see as an energetic, self-confident individual, giftedwith creative talents and exceptional intellectual abilities, with profoundemotionality and brightness. The main difference between the two groups is thatrespondents from Serbia, contrary to their American counterparts, do not perceivecharacteristics which reflect obedience to social norms as a contra-indication tocreativity. Respondents have mostly seen creative attributes as desirable, althoughthere is a number of characteristics that are rated differently in terms of theircreativity and desirability. These results confirm that creativity and desirability aretwo distinct concepts and indicate positive view of creativity as a phenomenon andcreative person as such.

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