Cultural differences in creativity: The role of immigration

This study analyses the relationship between creativity and personality in different cultural contexts. A multivariate approach to creativity implies that personal and contextual characteristics influence creative performance. Is the relationship between creativity and personality the same in different cultural contexts? Within education the cultural factor might have more impact than in other environments because of assimilationism of migrant students. This study is carried out in London and the Greater Region of Luxembourg. The sample consists of 243 participants (199 women, 44 men, MAge = 20.35, SD = 1.56, age range: 18-32 years). Whereas the correlation between creativity and openness is positive for non-immigrants (European), it is negative for immigrants (non-European). This highly surprising exploratory result can be related to migration. A possible mediator between creativity and openness might be individual differences linked to migration, i.e. uncertainty avoidance. Implications of results will be discussed.