Learning to relax versus learning to ideate: Relaxation-focused creativity training benefits introverts more than extraverts
Author(s)
O'Connor, Peter J
Gardiner, Elliroma
Watson, Chloe
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2016
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This study compared the short-term effectiveness of two creativity training programs (ideational skills vs relaxation), and assessed whether training effectiveness in each program was dependent on participant personality. Participants comprised 163 volunteers who were allocated to one of three experimental conditions (ideation training, relaxation training, and no training control). All participants completed several self-report questionnaires, as well as tests of creative performance both before and after training. Consistent with previous research, results indicated that Extraversion and Openness were predictors of creative ...
View more >This study compared the short-term effectiveness of two creativity training programs (ideational skills vs relaxation), and assessed whether training effectiveness in each program was dependent on participant personality. Participants comprised 163 volunteers who were allocated to one of three experimental conditions (ideation training, relaxation training, and no training control). All participants completed several self-report questionnaires, as well as tests of creative performance both before and after training. Consistent with previous research, results indicated that Extraversion and Openness were predictors of creative performance overall. More interestingly, however, results revealed a three-way interaction between Extraversion (introverts vs. extraverts), training type (ideation skills training vs. relaxation training), and time (pre- vs. post-training), suggesting that relaxation training is particularly beneficial for introverts whereas ideation skills training is more effective for extraverts. Our results offer new evidence that the expected utility of creativity training program-types may vary according the personality of trainees. On a practical note, our research has implications for organizations looking to tailor creativity-training programs in order to maximize the benefit of such programs on individual performance.
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View more >This study compared the short-term effectiveness of two creativity training programs (ideational skills vs relaxation), and assessed whether training effectiveness in each program was dependent on participant personality. Participants comprised 163 volunteers who were allocated to one of three experimental conditions (ideation training, relaxation training, and no training control). All participants completed several self-report questionnaires, as well as tests of creative performance both before and after training. Consistent with previous research, results indicated that Extraversion and Openness were predictors of creative performance overall. More interestingly, however, results revealed a three-way interaction between Extraversion (introverts vs. extraverts), training type (ideation skills training vs. relaxation training), and time (pre- vs. post-training), suggesting that relaxation training is particularly beneficial for introverts whereas ideation skills training is more effective for extraverts. Our results offer new evidence that the expected utility of creativity training program-types may vary according the personality of trainees. On a practical note, our research has implications for organizations looking to tailor creativity-training programs in order to maximize the benefit of such programs on individual performance.
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Journal Title
Thinking Skills and Creativity
Volume
21
Subject
Education
Other psychology not elsewhere classified