%0 Journal Article
%T Stimulating creativity in the classroom: examining the impact of sense of place on students' creativity and the mediating effect of classmate relationships.
%A Zhang J
%A Yang Y
%A Ge J
%A Liang X
%A An Z
%J BMC Psychol
%V 11
%N 1
%D 2023 Dec 7
%M 38062494
%F 2.588
%R 10.1186/s40359-023-01479-7
%X BACKGROUND: Although previous studies have found a close relationship between sense of place and creativity, few studies have been conducted considering the micro-environment of the classroom. The mediating role of classmate relationships in the association between students' sense of place and creativity remains unclear.
METHODS: This study explores classmate relationships as a mediating factor in the relationship between sense of place and creativity. Therefore, we considered a sample of 1555 Chinese high-school students and used a paper-based questionnaire survey. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 24.0, PROCESS 3.2 plugin, and AMOS.
RESULTS: Sense of place in the micro-environment of the classroom has a significant positive predictive effect on creativity. Sense of place also has a significant positive predictive effect on peer relationships. The mediation analysis reveals that peer relationships play a mediating role in the relationship between the sense of place and creativity.
CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed the associations between sense of place, classmate relationships, and creativity. Creativity is better expressed in students with a strong sense of place in the classroom. Moreover, a student's sense of place can enhance their creativity by influencing their peer relationships. These findings enrich the research in educational psychology within the classroom, providing new insights for fostering creativity.