The influence of critical thinking on creativity: A moderated mediation analysis

Abstract

We constructed and tested a moderated mediation model to explore the influence of critical thinking on creativity by examining the mediating role of creative self-efficacy (CSE) and the moderating role of perceived school support for creativity (PSSC) in this relationship. The sample comprised 413 Chinese college students who completed a survey at two time points. The empirical analysis results showed that college students' critical thinking was positively related to their creativity. Further, the CSE of college students partially mediated the positive relationship between critical thinking and creativity. In addition, PSSC positively moderated the relationships between critical thinking, CSE, and creativity, that is, when the PSSC of college students was higher, the promotion effect of critical thinking on CSE was enhanced, ultimately promoting creativity. These conclusions enrich the relevant literature on critical thinking, CSE, PSSC, and creativity, and also provide suggestions for the higher education field on how to improve the creativity of college students.