On the relationship between cultural diversity and creativity in education: The moderating role of communal versus divisional mindset. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vezzali, Loris; Gocłowska, Małgorzata A.; Crisp, Richard J.; Stathi, Sofia
• Is Part Of: Thinking skills and creativity. Volume 21(2016)
• Page Start: 152
• Page End: 157
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Flexible thinking -- Creativity -- Cultural diversity -- Intergroup contact -- Intergroup processes -- Diversity climate -- Diversity in education; Thought and thinking -- Periodicals; Critical thinking -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Creative thinking -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Thinking -- Periodicals; Creativeness -- Periodicals; Teaching -- Periodicals; Pensée -- Étude et enseignement -- Périodiques; Créativité (Éducation) -- Étude et enseignement -- Périodiques; 370.15205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tsc.2016.07.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1871-1871

Abstract

Highlights: Diversity increases creativity among schoolchildren. Creativity effects are moderated by salient mindset. Diversity increases creativity when a communal mindset is salient. Diversity does not increase creativity when a divisional mindset is salient. Abstract: We conducted an experimental study with the aim of testing certain conditions under which engaging with cultural diversity increases creativity among schoolchildren. Results obtained from a sample of 149 Italian elementary schoolchildren revealed that engaging with cultural diversity, operationalized by asking Italian children to work with immigrant children on a cooperative task, led to an increase in creativity. Furthermore, we found that this effect was only present when a communal but not a divisional mindset (emphasizing group distinctions) was present. We discuss theoretical and practical implications of findings.