Chapter 6 - Social, Attributional, and Organizational Perspectives

Abstract

This chapter discusses social, attributional, and organizational perspectives of creativity. The social perspective on creativity posits that social factors can support, undermine, or neither support nor undermine each other's creativity. Social influences are both interpersonal and environmental. The social perspective on creativity suggests that interpersonal judgments are involved in all creative work. While some creative efforts are improved when the individual considers the audience, often social judgment inhibits creativity Evidence for social influences on creative efforts can be found in the various investigations of collaboration. Competition, like so many social and environmental influences on creative work, influences individuals only after it is interpreted by the individual. Social influences are a major concern within organizations that target innovation and creativity. One way to operationalize the social supports and inhibitions within a business is in terms of an organizational climate. The idea of psychic costs implies that there may be a benefit to working in virtual teams, or that electronic brainstorming might be more effective than face-to-face brainstorming.