The impact of watching science fiction on the creativity of individuals: The role of STEM background
This paper delves into the intersection of science fiction, creativity, and individuals' backgrounds, with a special emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education. We investigate if individuals with a STEM background show a more pronounced creative impact from watch...
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Published in | Technovation Vol. 132; p. 102994 |
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Main Authors | , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Elsevier Ltd
01.04.2024
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | This paper delves into the intersection of science fiction, creativity, and individuals' backgrounds, with a special emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education. We investigate if individuals with a STEM background show a more pronounced creative impact from watching science fiction compared to their non-STEM counterparts. We conducted an experimental study involving 204 university students from various disciplines, both STEM and non-STEM, randomly assigned to one of two conditions—watching a science fiction TV episode or a non-science fiction episode—followed by a creative task. The solutions proposed by the students were assessed for their level of creativity. Our findings reveal that the students with a STEM background were more creatively impacted by the exposure to science fiction. These insights hold significant implications for educators, policy-makers, and professionals interested in fostering creativity, suggesting the need for tailored approaches based on an individual's background and a potential role for science fiction in stimulating creative thinking.
•Different individuals' backgrounds may change the effects of sci-fi exposure on creativity.•Individuals with a STEM background were more creatively impacted by the exposure to sci-fi.•Sci-fi exposure may activate and engage individuals' existing STEM knowledge, skills, and professional experiences.•Sci-fi exposure may provide a new context in which STEM skills can be emphasized, thus leading to increased creativity. |
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ISSN: | 0166-4972 1879-2383 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.technovation.2024.102994 |