Creative Self-Beliefs

Abstract

Abstract This chapter explores creative self-beliefs—what people believe about themselves and their own creativity. It discusses the “self,” which distinguishes a person from others as a unique individual, and how people build a sense of meaning about the self—their self-beliefs. Self-beliefs influence how people will act in a given situation, including how they use, or don’t use, their creativity. Creative self-beliefs are an internal sensibility that people often use to help them decide if, when, or how to act creatively. The chapter reviews research on how one’s creative self-beliefs affect creative skills, behaviors, or abilities, looking at creative self-belief concepts like creative self-efficacy, creative personal identity, and creative mindset. The chapter reviews the effects of personality, social, family, cultural, and experiential influences on these different kinds of creative self-beliefs and creative outcomes. It concludes with promising areas and possible tensions in research on creative self-beliefs.