W11: Self-compassion and Kiasu tendencies

Kiasu tendencies and Creativity (no definition)

What is the r/s between multicultural experience and individual creativity?

Positive r/s (higher experience → higher creativity)

What do multicultural experiences include? (4)

• Dual-cultural stimuli (eg. visual, texts, interactions)

• Reading foreign novels

• Listening to foreign music

• Making friends from different cultures

How else can people gain multicultural experiences?

By living abroad

In single, yet diverse cultures like Singapore, NY, Shanghai, what is the impact of diverse groups of people living together?

Breads competition among groups

What is the Singapore Paradox?

Although Singapore is a peaceful multicultural country, there is also a highly competitive culture; Kiasu

How does that influence SG’s creativity levels?

Singaporeans often seen as NOT creative

What is Kiasu?

Fear of losing out; a form of competition that reflects an “obsessive concern with getting the most out of every transaction, and a desire to get ahead of others”

What aspects of attitude does Kiasu influence?

Attitude toward:

• Education

• Work

• Other life aspects

(outcome-focused > process)

Why is that so?

Kiasu is related to a perceived lack of:

• curiosity and

• intellectual pursuit

What is considered the creativity facilitator and inhibitor in Singaporean culture?

• Facilitator: Multiculturalism and multicultural knowledge

• Inhibitor: Kiasu norm and value

Based on study results, what priming boosted Singaporeans’ creativity performance (RAT) the most?

When they are primed with their multi-ethnic cultural identity without kiasu framing

What made it lose the advantage?

By adding the kiasu framing

Why might individuals who more strongly endorse Kiasu values tend to score lower on creative thinking? (2)

• Risk-aversive, prevention-focused

• Competitive hoarding of resources

(which will suppress open, exploratory thinking creativity requires)

What is the mediator as to why kiasu endorsement will hinder creativity thinking?

Kiasu endorsement induces a prevention-focused mindset

What are 5 measures/traits used to test for kiasu?

1. Fear of losing out scale (FoLO)

2. Need for closure

3. Grit

4. Self-esteem

5. School satisfaction

What does need for closure (NFC) mean?

A desire to resolve social ambiguity

What are 3 characteristics of a person who is high on NFC?

• Wants firm, certain answers and dislikes ambiguity

• “Seize” and “freeze” (rely on) on familiar ideas; schemas

• Follow cultural conventions

What type of trait is NFC?

A state trait (not fixed, can be situationally induced)

What is grit?

A positive, non-cognitive trait based on one’s perseverance of effort combined with the passion for a particular LT goal or end state

What 2 things does this perseverance of effort promote?

1. Overcoming of obstacles or challenges that lies on the way

2. Achievement realisation