Can the reinforcement sensitivity theory help us understand creative mindsets?

Abstract

Abstract The creative mindset conceptualization implies that individuals have beliefs about whether creativity is a malleable or a fixed attribute. Studies on creative mindsets have shown that individuals can possess both growth and fixed mindsets rather than just one. People tend to exhibit distinct profiles, with high levels in one mindset and low levels in the other, as well as profiles with high or low levels in both dimensions. This study aimed to investigate whether variability, adaptability, and coexistence in creative mindsets could be explained within the framework of Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory. A total of 559 (405 self-identified females and 154 self-identified males) university students aged 18 to 48 (M=21.69, SD=3.32) participated in the study. The findings revealed that behavior activation system sensitivity and the growth mindset might be related. However, no connection between the fixed mindset and the behavioral activation or behavior inhibition system sensitivity could be found. Furthermore, those who simultaneously hold high fixed and growth mindsets exhibited the highest behavior activation sensitivity. It can be concluded that the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory can provide a perspective describing how a growth mindset develops.