Differential Effects of Personality Traits and Environmental Predictors on Reproductive and Creative Imagination

Abstract

The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to analyze the effects of both personality and environmental variables on the imagination of video/film major university students; and (2) to test the mediator effect resulting from the variable of social climate. The results of this study supported both indicators of imaginative capabilities and environmental influences. The hypothesis of the study—that the variable of social climate mediates the effects of personality/environmental predictors and both types of imagination—was partially supported. The structural model also showed that most personality traits have direct effects on imagination, whereas most environmental predictors have indirect effects. Practical applications of this study were suggested, future inquiries were discussed, and limitations were acknowledged.

Curvilinear effects of openness and agreeableness on the imaginative capability of student designers

“…The primary influence of openness on initiating imagination is a linear effect that agrees with recent research on the personality of creative designers (Kichuk & Wiesner, 1997;Liang et al, 2013). We observed that in addition to a limited range of scores near the negative pole of openness, a curvilinear effect, although minor, influences the initiating imagination.…”

“…Kichuk and Wiesner (1997) stated that successful designers are characterized by a high cognitive ability, which is closely associated with the openness trait. Liang et al (2013) studied media design majors and observed that openness reliably predicted creative and reproductive imaginations.…”

“…Research to date has examined only the linear relationships between design imagination and designer personality (Liang, Chang, & Hsu, 2013;Lin et al, 2013). However, overlooking the existence of curvilinearity can lead to erroneous conclusions regarding the characteristics and magnitude of associations (Iversen, Malchow-Moller, & Sorensen, 2010), which includes associations between personality and its outcomes (Vasilopoulos, Cucina, & Hunter, 2007).…”

Social Networks and Individual Creativity: The Role of Individual Differences

“…Other scholars assume a causal path lies between individual characteristics and social ties or creativity (e.g., Cho, Chung, Choi, Suh, & Seo, ; Liang, Chang, & Hsu, ; Shalley & Perry‐Smith, ). Thus, future research into alternative causal relationships using well‐designed panel data instead of cross‐sectional data may be called for.…”

The Multi-level Homologous Logic and Prospective Research Concept on the Effects of Creativity and Ambidextrous Leadership on Innovative Performance

“…Similarly, imagination on one hand constitutes a facilitator of linear thinking (reproductive imagination) and on the other hand, it is focused on mental processes within an inner world (creative imagination) (e.g. Liang, Chang & Hsu, 2014). Additionally, imaginative thinking supports flexibility in forming innovative solutions (Groves & Vance, 2014;Ogilvie, 1998).…”