Imaginary companions, creativity, and self-image in middle childhood
(2005) In Creativity Research Journal 17(2-3). p.167-180- Abstract
- This study investigates four questions: First, whether there is a relationship between imaginary companions and creative potential; second, whether children with negative self-images are more likely to have imaginary companions; third, whether there are gender differences among those children who have imaginary companions; and, finally, what aspects of imaginary companions and what characteristics of those who invent them are related to creativity. The measurements used were a questionnaire about imaginary companions, 3 estimates of creative potential, and a self-image inventory. Among the 69 participating 4th graders, 52% reported having (had) imaginary companions. The children with imaginary companions were more creative on 2 of 3... (More)
- This study investigates four questions: First, whether there is a relationship between imaginary companions and creative potential; second, whether children with negative self-images are more likely to have imaginary companions; third, whether there are gender differences among those children who have imaginary companions; and, finally, what aspects of imaginary companions and what characteristics of those who invent them are related to creativity. The measurements used were a questionnaire about imaginary companions, 3 estimates of creative potential, and a self-image inventory. Among the 69 participating 4th graders, 52% reported having (had) imaginary companions. The children with imaginary companions were more creative on 2 of 3 estimates of creativity and had lower self-image scores. The self-image differences were greatest on the subscales measuring psychological well-being and peer relations. It was more common for girls to have imaginary companions. Aspects associated with creativity among the children with imaginary companions were, for example, elaboration of the companion's character and number of imaginary companions. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/895148
- author
- Hoff, Eva LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2005
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Imaginary companions, pretend playmates, make-believe friends
- in
- Creativity Research Journal
- volume
- 17
- issue
- 2-3
- pages
- 167 - 180
- publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- external identifiers
-
- wos:000230130200004
- scopus:23844462212
- ISSN
- 1040-0419
- DOI
- 10.1207/s15326934crj1702&3_4
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Division of Occupational Therapy (Closed 2012) (013025000), Department of Psychology (012010000)
- id
- bc4bfecd-c209-4394-9538-8ac371e714bd (old id 895148)
- date added to LUP
- 2016-04-01 11:43:04
- date last changed
- 2022-03-20 17:49:54
@article{bc4bfecd-c209-4394-9538-8ac371e714bd,
abstract = {{This study investigates four questions: First, whether there is a relationship between imaginary companions and creative potential; second, whether children with negative self-images are more likely to have imaginary companions; third, whether there are gender differences among those children who have imaginary companions; and, finally, what aspects of imaginary companions and what characteristics of those who invent them are related to creativity. The measurements used were a questionnaire about imaginary companions, 3 estimates of creative potential, and a self-image inventory. Among the 69 participating 4th graders, 52% reported having (had) imaginary companions. The children with imaginary companions were more creative on 2 of 3 estimates of creativity and had lower self-image scores. The self-image differences were greatest on the subscales measuring psychological well-being and peer relations. It was more common for girls to have imaginary companions. Aspects associated with creativity among the children with imaginary companions were, for example, elaboration of the companion's character and number of imaginary companions.}},
author = {{Hoff, Eva}},
issn = {{1040-0419}},
keywords = {{Imaginary companions; pretend playmates; make-believe friends}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{2-3}},
pages = {{167--180}},
publisher = {{Taylor & Francis}},
series = {{Creativity Research Journal}},
title = {{Imaginary companions, creativity, and self-image in middle childhood}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/s15326934crj1702&3_4}},
doi = {{10.1207/s15326934crj1702&3_4}},
volume = {{17}},
year = {{2005}},
}