Cross-Cultural Studies of Implicit Theories of Creativity: A Comparative Analysis Between the United States and the Main Ethnic Groups in Singapore

Abstract

This article explores the extent of influence of culture on implicit theories of creativity among laypeople from the United States and Singapore, as well as the ethnic groups in Singapore. Adaptive and innovative styles of creativity were examined, as well as their own conceptions of creativity. Laypersons from the United States and Singapore were asked to rate the creativity level for the descriptors of the adaptor and innovator explicit theory of creativity. The laypersons were also asked to give words they believed associated with creativity. Data indicated that there was an implicit belief that high creativity was associated with the innovative style of creativity. Further, the words that were associated with creativity seemed to have an innovator bias.

Acknowledgments

This article is adapted from my Master's Thesis and I thank my Chair, Gerard J. Puccio, for his guidance and support in this research.