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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Why do we enjoy creative tasks? Results from a multigroup randomized controlled study

Alexandra Raluca GatejAleksandra BujaczAleksandra BujaczEbba KarlssonVeronica RubertiMarta WrońskaDavid FinkSara Dunne

subject

media_common.quotation_subject05 social sciences050109 social psychologyAbsorption (psychology)CreativityStructural equation modelinglanguage.human_languageEducationlaw.inventionTask (project management)GermanRandomized controlled triallaw0502 economics and businesslanguage0501 psychology and cognitive sciencesPsychologyDivergent thinkingSocial psychology050203 business & managementAutonomymedia_commonCognitive psychology

description

Previous studies have linked positive emotions with creativity, but it remains unknown why creative activities may enhance positive emotions. We tested how creative tasks influence autonomous self-expression and task absorption, and whether this in turn increases positive emotions. Data from 478 participants were divided into four language samples (English, German, Italian, and Polish) and analyzed in a series of multigroup structural equation models. The indirect effects were replicated in all samples. Creative tasks enhanced positive emotions through an increase in autonomy. However, participants who solved creative tasks also reported lower task absorption, and this has hindered their experience of positive emotions. In total, a small increase of positive emotions was recorded for creative tasks in comparison to non-creative ones. We suggest that creative activities may support autonomous functioning and enhance positive emotions, given that participants will stay sufficiently focused on the task.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2016-03-01Thinking Skills and Creativity
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2015.11.002