Personal factors of creativity: A second order meta-analysis

Abstract

This article integrates seven meta-analyses of individual factors associated with creativity and innovation and reports effects based on one (r) or two or more (r¯) meta-analyses. Emotional intelligence (r =.31), divergent thinking (r¯ =.27), openness to experience (r¯ =.22), creative personality (r¯ =.21), intrinsic motivation (r¯ =.20), positive affect (r¯ =.19), and androgyny (r =.19) are related to creativity. Age (r =.17), intelligence (r¯ =.17), extraversion (r¯ =.13), self-efficacy (r¯ =.13), and extrinsic motivation (r =.11) were also moderately associated with innovation. Pro-risk attitudes (r =.08) and being female (r =.07) were weakly associated with creativity. Results are discussed, explanatory processes described, and practical implications for organizations examined.