Universität zu Köln

Leung, Angela K. -Y., Liou, Shyhnan, Miron-Spektor, Ella, Koh, Brandon ORCID: 0000-0002-6250-8307, Chan, David, Eisenberg, Roni and Schneider, Iris K. ORCID: 0000-0003-0915-0809 (2018). Middle Ground Approach to Paradox: Within-and Between-Culture Examination of the Creative Benefits of Paradoxical Frames. J. Pers. Soc. Psychol., 114 (3). S. 443 - 465. WASHINGTON: AMER PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC. ISSN 1939-1315

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Abstract

Thriving in increasingly complex and ambiguous environments requires creativity and the capability to reconcile conflicting demands. Recent evidence with Western samples has suggested that paradoxical frames, or mental templates that encourage individuals to recognize and embrace contradictions, could produce creative benefits. We extended the timely, but understudied, topic by studying the nuances of for whom and why creative advantages of paradoxical frames emerge. We suggest that people endorsing a middle ground approach are less likely to scrutinize conflict and reconcile with integrative solutions, thus receiving less creative benefits of paradoxical frames. Five studies that examined individual and cultural differences in middle ground endorsement support our theory. Study 1 found that paradoxical frames increased creativity, but failed to replicate that experienced conflict mediated the relationship in a Taiwanese sample. In both within-and between-culture analysis, we showed that the creative advantages of thinking paradoxically and experiencing conflict emerged among individuals who endorse lower (vs. higher) levels of middle ground (Study 2) and among Israelis whose culture predominantly endorses middle ground strategy less, but not among Singaporeans whose culture predominantly endorses middle ground more (Study 3). Study 4 further demonstrated the causal role of middle ground in the paradox-conflict-creativity link. To answer why, Study 5 situationally induced integrative complex thinking that sets distinctions and forms syntheses among contradictory elements, and found that low endorsers of middle ground performed more creatively when they engaged integrative complex thinking to cope with paradoxes. This program of studies offers important insights on harnessing paradoxical experiences to catalyze creativity.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Leung, Angela K. -Y. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Liou, Shyhnan UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Miron-Spektor, Ella UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Koh, Brandon UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0002-6250-8307 UNSPECIFIED Chan, David UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Eisenberg, Roni UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Schneider, Iris K. UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0003-0915-0809 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-195128
DOI:	10.1037/pspp0000160
Journal or Publication Title:	J. Pers. Soc. Psychol.
Volume:	114
Number:	3
Page Range:	S. 443 - 465
Date:	2018
Publisher:	AMER PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC
Place of Publication:	WASHINGTON
ISSN:	1939-1315
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Human Sciences Faculty of Management, Economy and Social Sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Human Sciences > Department Psychologie Center of Excellence C-SEB
Subjects:	Psychology
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language MULTICULTURAL EXPERIENCE; MANAGERIAL SENSEMAKING; INTEGRATIVE COMPLEXITY; RELATIONSHIP CONFLICT; DIALECTICAL THINKING; PERSPECTIVE-TAKING; IMPLICIT THEORIES; DUAL PATHWAY; INNOVATION; MODEL Multiple languages Psychology, Social Multiple languages
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/19512