Affective Influences on Creativity in Teams: A Multilevel and Regulatory Focus Perspective

Both affect and creativity have been recognized as constructs operating at multiple levels. This chapter addresses the complicated relationship of affect to creativity at three levels: within-person over time, in dyads, and in groups. First, it provides an integrative review of affect-creativity relationships at each level, concluding that the different thinking styles triggered by positive and negative affect may both be helpful for creativity. It suggests that effects may depend on stage in the creative process as well as diversity in affect within a dyad or group. Second, it draws on regulatory focus theory to provide a more task-specific typology of affect and explore likely effects on creativity. Specifically, it develops propositions to explain why and how promotion-focused affect (e.g., excitement) and prevention-focused affect (e.g., worry) may come together to foster creativity in different stages of the creative process at the within-person, dyad, and group levels. It concludes with questions for future research at each level.