Measuring teacher behaviours that foster creativity

Abstract

Based on previous research, A. J. Cropley (1997) delineated nine behavioural characteristics of the teacher’s classroom behaviours that are believed to foster student creativity. These form the conceptual framework for the development of a 45-item self-rating scale. Five items were generated for each of the nine behavioural characteristics. The teachers also rated themselves on creativity on a set of adjectives adapted from Domino’s (1970) Creative Scale. When the items for each sub-scale were factor analysed, an unidimensional factor was obtained, explaining sizeable total variance. The nine sub-scales cover creativity fostering behaviours, namely, Independence, Integration, Motivation, Judgement, Flexibility, Evaluation, Question, Opportunities, and Frustration. High reliabilities (Cronbach’s alpha coefficients 0.69 to .86) were found. Low to moderate correlations between sub-scale responses and self-ratings of creativity were found. Differences between sexes and ethnic groups were consistent with previous findings found in the literature. Possible further research is discussed.