The Bias Against Creativity: Why People Desire But Reject Creative Ideas

Other Titles
Abstract
People often reject creative ideas even when espousing creativity as a desired goal. To explain this paradox, we propose that people can hold a bias against creativity that is not necessarily overt, and which is activated when people experience a motivation to reduce uncertainty. In two studies, we measure and manipulate uncertainty using different methods including: discrete uncertainty feelings, and an uncertainty reduction prime. The results of both studies demonstrated a negative bias toward creativity (relative to practicality) when participants experienced uncertainty. Furthermore, the bias against creativity interfered with participants’ ability to recognize a creative idea. These results reveal a concealed barrier that creative actors may face as they attempt to gain acceptance for their novel ideas.
Journal / Series
Volume & Issue
Description
Sponsorship
Date Issued
2010-01-01
Publisher
Keywords
creativity; bias; goals
Location
Effective Date
Expiration Date
Sector
Employer
Union
Union Local
NAICS
Number of Workers
Committee Chair
Committee Co-Chair
Committee Member
Degree Discipline
Degree Name
Degree Level
Related Version
Related DOI
Related To
Related Part
Based on Related Item
Has Other Format(s)
Part of Related Item
Related To
Related Publication(s)
Link(s) to Related Publication(s)
References
Link(s) to Reference(s)
Previously Published As
Government Document
ISBN
ISMN
ISSN
Other Identifiers
Rights
Required Publisher Statement: Copyright held by Sage Publications. Final version forthcoming as: Mueller, J. S., Melwani, S., & Goncalo, J. A. (in press). The bias against creativity: Why people desire but reject creative ideas. Psychological Science. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.
Rights URI
Types
unassigned
Accessibility Feature
Accessibility Hazard
Accessibility Summary
Link(s) to Catalog Record