Using dispositions and growth mindsets to predict self-efficacy: Changes after an intervention of creativity instruction
Abstract: This study aimed to develop the “Creativity Disposition Inventory” (CDI) for measuring college students’ dispositions of creativity and to examine the relationship between growth mindsets, dispositions, and self-efficacy of creativity before and after experimental instruction focused on the training of creativity. Two hundred and sixty-two college students were included in the development of CDI, and 48 participants were included in the experimental instruction. The 12-week experimental instruction emphasized the learning and practice of creativity growth mindsets, creative dispositions, creativity skills, and visible thinking; it was conducted through blended learning. The results revealed that the CDI consisted of four factors: Innovation and creation; sensitivity and problem-solving; multi-perspective learning and thinking; and imagination and ideas sharing. Additionally, we found that the four factors of creative dispositions and the two types of creativity growth mindsets (growth-internal control and growth-external control) could better predict creativity self-efficacy after the experimental instruction than before the instruction. The findings suggest that the experimental instruction strengthens the bond between creative dispositions and creativity self-efficacy. Additionally, the constant influence of the growth-external control mindset on self-efficacy suggests the importance of a rich learning environment in the development of creativity self-efficacy.