Date of Award
8-2024
Access Control
Open Access
Degree Name
Creativity and Change Leadership, Graduate Certificate Program
Department
Creative Studies
Advisor
Gerard Puccio
Department Home page
https://suny.buffalostate.edu/programs/creative-studies
First Reader
Gerard Puccio
Second Reader
Molly Holinger
Abstract
Research has illuminated the differences between implicit and explicit theories of creativity—though scientific theories have been tested and can be theoretically sound, implicit beliefs among the general population can run contrary to academic theory. As important as it is for researchers to know and understand creativity from an empirically founded perspective, it is equally as important for them to understand creativity theories that come from the general understanding and perspectives of those who aren’t associated with academic research. By replicating Glăveanu’s 2011 study Is the lightbulb still on?: Social Representations of creativity in a western context, the current study examines perceptions of creativity among laypeople. Extending this work by separating the general sample into the six domains of Holland’s Theory of Vocational Choice (as exemplified by undergraduate degree program) delves into the influence of domain on perceptions of the concept of creativity. Analysis showed that laypeople most commonly associate creativity with the visual arts, no matter the domain. This universal understanding of creativity has been a part of our society for thousands of years—though the results also show that there is growing acceptance of creativity in scientific domains, implying more opportunities for interdisciplinary work in the field of creativity studies in the future. These, and other findings, are examined in this report.
Recommended Citation
Rollins, Nahdira, "Is the Lightbulb Still-Still on?: Social Representations among Undergraduates, a Replication and Extension" (2024). Creative Studies Graduate Student Master's Theses. 31.
https://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/creativetheses/31
