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Formal Education, Eminence and Dogmatism: The Curvilinear Relationship
Author(s) -
SIMONTON DEAN KEITH
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
the journal of creative behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.896
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 2162-6057
pISSN - 0022-0175
DOI - 10.1002/j.2162-6057.1983.tb00348.x
Subject(s) - psychology , curvilinear coordinates , psychoanalysis , mathematics , geometry
41.9STBACT The relationship between'formal education and cr,Ativity was investigated in two studies. A reanalysis of (120: 301 geniuses-indicated that achieved eminence of creators is a curvilinear. inverted-V,function of.formal education. Secondly, a . study. of 3'3 .American presidents found that dogmatism (i.e., idealistid'inflexibility) is a curvilinear U-shaped function. of formal -education4,Since creativity and.dogmatism are negatively associated, and liar'-represent Opposite points on a single bipolar persOnality.Aimeheion, these findings imply _that the optimal -amount Of ,t9rmaledticatiOn for maximal creative potential is a college eXperienceAhat:falIt-just short. of, attaining baccalaureate degreep to the,; year formal education has a positive effect, prObabltf:thrOdghthe.acquitition Of general _knowledge and skills, but thereafter; the' ;increased SpeCialisation required for graduate and proteasa:omal training, seems to reVersc-preatiVeArowth. Tt is puggestedthatthiSresult:leads. to several questionSfor further .research, 4nclddingpOsisible.j0pliCations'forthe-design'of TOstgradiateOrpgramsOtherAdestions for additional research includethe:f011OVidg: the tagtitddvrbUeducatiOnes effect upon creatiVedeve4:opotent4:atetherthe curvilinearrelationship holds equally; veil, across disciplines,° and Oiethetdifferences is native ability or: scholastic'. affect the funCtional relationship betVeenformal.education and creativity. (Author /Sid)