Abstract :
Innovation motivation is a social learning model of originality
comprising two variables: the need to be different and innovation
expectancy. This study examined their contribution to
artistic creativity in a sample of undergraduates. Participants
completed measures of both innovation motivation variables
as well as intelligence, adjustment, and artistic training. Participants
completed three drawings using colored pencils: a
human artifact, a non-human life form, and a person. Choice
of main subject and details were tabulated for each drawing
and originality scores were derived based on the infrequency
of each thematic element. The drawings were also evaluated
for technical proficiency and creativity by two master’s level
art therapists. The need to be different and innovation expectancy
each predicted the originality of each drawing; together,
they predicted 42% of the variance in the composite originality
score. The need to be different and innovation expectancy
also predicted proficiency and creativity ratings, especially the
latter. The other variables yielded weaker, less consistent predictions.
In general, both innovation motivation variables still
predicted significant proportions of the variance in originality
scores and creativity ratings even after controlling for other
variables
