| dc.description.abstract | This study investigates socio-cultural factors that impact the lives of highly
creative writers, specifically, novelists in a specific socio-cultural context, Turkey.
Research objectives included the investigation of the definition of creativity, creative
processes and products by highly creative Turkish writers, and socio-cultural factors that
influenced the development of their creativity.
The qualitative case study was used and interviews with four participants, or
cases, shed light onto the focus of the study. Four novelists who fit certain criteria were
selected: (a) they have invented, designed, and produced creative work regularly and
their work has influenced Turkish literature; (b) they were Turkish citizens who have
lived 75% of their lives in Turkey and received their education in Turkey; and (c) they
varied in age and gender. The participants were Yaşar Kemal (85, male), Adalet
Ağaoğlu (81, female), Mario Levi (51, male), and Latife Tekin (51, female). Interviews
with the participants were transcribed, translated from Turkish into English, and
analyzed. The constant comparative method (Glaser & Strauss, 1967; Lincoln & Guba, 1985) was used as the method of analysis. Other documents about the participants were
also used as data sources.
Results indicate that participants’ views of creativity resemble both Western and
non-Western views of creativity and their views of creative processes and products are
similar to former research findings on creative individuals and creativity in general.
Overarching themes include (a) environmental catalysts that prompted creativity; (b)
emotional and professional support networks in participants’ lives; and (c) participants’
self-efficacy. Although environmental catalysts include events that cause both positive
and negative emotions, two of the participants emphasize the role of negative feelings,
such as anger and sadness, in the stimulation of creativity. The participants have had
various sources of support from either certain individuals, such as a teacher or a friend,
or groups of individuals, such as their readers. Participants’ self-efficacy emerges from
various personality traits such as determination, persistence, rebelliousness,
outspokenness, and independence. Findings indicate that education is an important
socio-cultural factor that can enhance or hinder creativity and that teachers have a crucial
role in the development of their students. | en |
