College students’ creative attributes as a predictor of cognitive risk tolerance.

Abstract

Previous research has focused on risky decision making rather than calculated risk taking. Cognitive risk tolerance is sensible risk taking based on an individual's ability to formulate and express one's ideas despite potential opposition or negative assessment in regard to reputation, integrity, and honor which we propose is needed for creativity, innovation, and global competitiveness. The goal of this study was to investigate procreative and countercreative attributes and their association with cognitive risk tolerance for different college majors. Social Science (Psychology/History/Political Science) and Arts (Art/ Architecture) majors reported significantly higher cognitive risk tolerance than Fngineering, Education, Health Professions, Music, Business, and Undecided students. Procreative attributes (unconventional, insightful, confident, inventive, reflective, and interests wide) were associated with higher cognitive risk tolerance while countercreative attributes (mannerly, conservative, interests narrow, and cautiou.s) were negatively associated with cognitive risk tolerance. Implications are that creative attributes and cognitive risk tolerance share qualities that are conducive toward creativity and innovation in higher education.

Character strengths and sustainable technology adoption by smallholder farmers

“… Zenasni et al., (2008) show empirically that tolerance for ambiguity interrelates with creativity moderately and positively. Similarly, higher levels of general creativity empirically predict higher levels of cognitive tolerance to risk ( Charyton et al., 2013 ).…”

Food for Hope: The Role of Personal Resources in Farmers’ Adoption of Green Technology

“…More recently, Zenasni et al [63] showed empirically that tolerance for ambiguity and creativity are interrelated moderately and positively. Similarly, higher levels of general creativity empirically predict higher levels of cognitive risk tolerance [64]. Furthermore, based on the definitions of creativity, which includes tolerance for uncertainty and constantly seeking innovations as solutions and improvements, we hypothesize that faced with the challenges of climate change [2] or food security [1], creative farmers are more likely to adopt innovative green technologies.…”

Scientific Productivity and Idea Acceptance in Nobel Laureates

“…Based on Sternberg and Lubart's (, ) investment theory we speculated that Nobel laureates often are interested in ideas that indicate a less popular idea that then gains popularity and requires greater risk, greater risk tolerance toward opposition and the ability to tolerate uncertainty (Charyton et al., ,b; Kahneman, ,b). We hypothesized that Nobel laureates, being earlier in their careers would need to establish themselves more as well as their ideas.…”

“…The rationale is similar to Sternberg and Lubart's (, ) investment theory in that we speculate that Nobel laureates often are interested in ideas that are less popular that then gain popularity. Cognitive skills needed include greater risk tolerance and the ability to overcome opposition as well as tolerate uncertainty (Charyton, Snelbecker, Elliott & Rahman, ,b; Kahneman, ,b).…”