Beyond individual creativity: The superadditive benefits of multicultural experience for collective creativity in culturally diverse teams

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Abstract

Although recent research has consistently demonstrated the benefits of multicultural experience for individual-level creativity, its potential advantages for collective creativity in culturally diverse teams have yet to be explored. We predicted that multicultural experience among members of a collective would enhance joint creativity in a superadditive fashion. Using a two-step methodology that included both individual and dyadic brainstorming sessions, we found that even after controlling for individual creativity, multicultural experience had a superadditive effect on dyadic creativity. Specifically, dyads performed best on a creative task in terms of fluency, flexibility, and novelty—three classic dimensions of creativity—when both dyad partners had high levels of multicultural experience. These results show that when it comes to multicultural experience, the creative whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Implications for diversity research are discussed.

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

What are the effects of multiculturalism in the PK–12 classroom?

Evidence suggests that multicultural student teams and friend groups are better problem-solvers and produce better academic outcomes inside the classroom. Multicultural student teams may yield more creative solutions to problems they face in the classroom. Students who engage with people who are different from them may be more likely to have higher grades and better […]

About this study

AGE: Children

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: Positive impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Paid

GENDER: All

HOST COUNTRY: United States

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

INTERVENTION DURATION: NA

INTERVENTION: None Tested

POPULATION: Immigrants

REGION OF ORIGIN OF PARTICIPANT(S): Multiple Regions

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Suggestive

TYPE OF STUDY: Suggestive evidence

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2012

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