Skip to main content

Constructive Creativity in the Context of Singapore

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Palgrave Handbook of Creativity and Culture Research

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Creativity and Culture ((PASCC))

  • 2909 Accesses

Abstract

This chapter outlines constructive creativity in the context of Singapore. Situated above the equator, Singapore is an emerging society and a modernized nation that has adopted a culture of creativity and innovation in her social-cultural advancement and systemic transformation. The chapter begins with social-historical development of Singapore and extends to narrations of Singapore as a multicultural society of growth. The chapter ends with some futuristic views of creating in the Singapore’s society.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 229.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 299.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Alkahtani, K. (2013). Techers’ knowledge and use of assistive technology for students with special educational needs. Journal of Studies in Education, 3, 65–86. doi:10.5296/jse.v3i2.3424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amabile, T. M. (1983). The social psychology of creativity: A componential conceptualization. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 45, 357–377.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bakthin, M. (1984). In C. Emerson (Ed & Trans.), Problems of dostoevsy’s poetics. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baltes, P. B. (1987). Theoretical propositions of life-span developmental psychology: On the dynamics between growth and decline. Developmental Psychology, 23(5), 611–626.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bergson, H. (1911). Creative evolution. New York: Henry Hill and Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buber, M. (1937). I and thou (trans: Smith, R. G.). Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark.

    Google Scholar 

  • Craft, A. (2001). Creativity and early year education. London: Continuum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1988). Society, culture, and person: A system view of creativity. In R. J. Sternberg (Ed.), The nature of creativity (pp. 325–339). New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1996). Creativity: Flow and the psychology of discovery and practice. New York: HarperPernnial.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewey, J. (1938/2002). Experience and education. New York: Touchstone.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finke, R. A., Ward, T. B., & Smith, S. M. (1992). Creative cognition: Theory, research, and applications. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frankl, V. (1984). Man search in meaning. New York: Washington Square Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freire, P. (2002). Pedagogy of the oppressed. New York: Continuum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gadamer, H. (2004). Truth and method (2nd ed., trans: Weinsheimer, J. & Marschall, D. G.). New York: Crossroad.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, H. (1993). Creating minds. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilligan, C. (2015). The listening guide method of psychological inquiry. Qualitative Inquiry, 2(1), 69–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goh, C. T. (1997). Shaping our future: Thinking school and a learning nation. Prime Minister’s speech at the opening of the 7th international conference on thinking (June 2). Speeches, 21(3), 12–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goh, C. T. (1999). Speech by Prime Minister at the official opening of creative resource, headquarters of creative technology, at the international business park, Jurong East (Feb 2). Singaopre: National Archieves Singapore.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goh, C. T. (2015). Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong’s eulogy for the late Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. Downloaded on 1.4.2015, from http://www.pmo.gov.sg/mediacentre/emeritus-senior-minister-goh-chok-tong%E2%80%99s-eulogy-late-mr-lee-kuan-yew

  • Gordon, M. (2011). Listening as embracing the other: Martin Buber’s philosophy of dialogue. Education Theory, 61(2), 207–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guilford, J. (1950). Creativity. American Psychologist, 5(9), 444–454.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heng, S. K. (2012). Keynote Address by Minister for Education, at the Ministry of Education Work Plan Seminar, on Wednesday, 12 September 2012 at 9.20 a.m. at Ngee Ann Polytechnic Convention Centre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heng, S. K. (2013). Student-centric, values-driven education: A broad and deep foundation for a lifelong journey. Keynote of Minister for Education at the Work Plan Seminar, September 25, at Ngee Ann Polytechnics Convention Centre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heng, S. K. (2014). Growing our teachers, building our nation. Keynote address by Minister for Education, at the Ministry of Education Work Plan Seminar, on Tuesday, 23 September 2014 at 9.15 a.m. at Ngee Ann Polytechnic Convention Centre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kast, F. E., & Rosenzweig, J. E. (1972). General system theory: Applications for organization and management. Academy of Management Journal, 15(4), 447–465.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaufman, J., & Beghetto, R. (2009). Beyond big and little: The four C model of creativity. Review of General Psychology, 13(1), 1–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, K. Y. (1969). Interview with the Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, Tuesday, 10th June, 1969 by Hugh D. S. Greenway, Time/Life Bureau Chief, Southeast Asia. http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/lky19690610.pdf. Downloaded on 17th October2014.

  • Lee, H. L. (1997). Developing a shared nationhood. Speeches, 21(3), 41–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, H. L. (2010a). In Singapore University of Technology and Design Signs Formal Agreement with MIT, MOE press released on 25th Jan, 2010. http://www.pmo.gov.sg/mediacentre/eulogy-prime-minister-lee-hsien-loong-state-funeral-service-late-dr-goh-keng-swee. Downloaded on April 8, 2015.

  • Lee, H. L. (2010b). Eulogy by prime minister at the state funeral service for the late Dr. Goh Keng Swee at Singapore Conference Hall, Sunday, 23 May.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, K. Y. (2013). One man’s view of the world. Singapore: SPH.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, H. L. (2014). Prime Minister’s national day rally speech (in English). http://www.pmo.gov.sg/content/pmosite/mediacentre/speechesninterviews/primeminister/2014/August/prime-minister-lee-hsien-loong-s-national-day-rally-2014--speech.html. Downloaded on November 6, 2014.

  • LTA (Land Transport Authority). (2014). Certificate of entitlement. http://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltaweb/en/roads-and-motoring/owning-a-vehicle/vehicle-quota-system/certificate-of-entitlement-coe.html. Downloaded on October 24, 2014.

  • Makhlin, V. (2001). Bakhtin and the paradigm shift in the humanities. Dialogism, 5(6), 88–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • May, R. (1975). The courage to create. New York: W.W. Norton & Co..

    Google Scholar 

  • MEWR & MND (Ministry of Environment and Water Resource and Ministry of National Development. (2008). A lively and livable Singapore: Strategies for sustainable growth. http://app.mewr.gov.sg/web/Contents/ContentsSSS.aspx?ContId=1299. Downloaded on October 24, 2014.

  • MOE. (2014). 21st century competencies. http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/21cc/. Downloaded on November 6, 2014.

  • Ng, A. K. (2001). Why Asians are less creative than Westerners. Singapore: Pearson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ng, A. K., & Smith, I. (2004). The paradox of promoting creativity. Genetic, Social, and General Psychology Monographs, 130(4), 307–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nishida, K. (2012). The unsolved issue of consciousness (trans: Krummel, J. W. M.). Philosophy East & West, 62(1), 44–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ong, T. C. (1978). Speech of acting minister for culture on the occasion of the official opening of the exhibition of contemporary Japanese graphic art (on Friday 7 April, at 7.30 p.m. at the National Museum Art Galley from http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/otc19780407s.pdf. Downloaded on 18 October, 2014.

  • Ow, C. H. (1978). Speech by parliamentary secretary, Ministry of Culture at the official opening of exhibition “Ceramists from schools” at the Young People’s Gallery, National Museum (11th August, 5.30 p.m.).

    Google Scholar 

  • Polanyi, M. (1968). Logic and psychology. American Psychologist, 23(1), 27–43. doi:10.1037/h0037692.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polanyi, M. (1983). The tacit dimension. Gloucester: Peter Smith.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ponomarev, I. A. (2008). Prospects for the development of the psychology of creativity (I). Journal of Russian and East European Psychology, 46(3), 17–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • PUB (Public Utility Board). (2014). Water for all. http://www.pub.gov.sg/water/Pages/default.aspx#sthash.aSa8t83J.dpuf. Downloaded on October 24, 2015.

  • RIEC. (2006, Research innovation, enterprise council). Research, innovation and enterprise council approved plans for three strategic research sectors and a compus for TOP R&D talent. Press released by the Prime Minister Office (6 July).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, C. (1961). On becoming a person: A therapist’s view of psychotherapy. London: Caonstable.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rule, P. (2011). Bakhtin and Freire: Dialogue, dialectic, and boundary learning. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 43(9), 925–941.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schon, D. (1983). The reflective practitioner: How professionals think in action. London: Temple Smith.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seet, A. M. (1999). Speech of minister of state for community development and education, at the Teacher’s art exhibition at Orchard Point Art Gallery on Thursday, 19 Oct, at 4 p.m.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simonton, D. (1999). Origins of genius: Darwinian perspectives on creativity. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smagorinsky, P. (2011). Vytosky’s stage theory: The psychology of art and the actor under the direction of Prezhivanie. Mind, Culture and Activity, 18, 319–341.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smagorinsky, P. (2012). Vygotsky “defectology” and the inclusion of people of difference in the broader cultural stream. Journal of Language and Literacy Education, 8(1), 1–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Soh, K. C. (1999). East-West difference in view of creativity: Is Howard Gardner correct? Yes, and no. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 33(2), 112–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soh, K. C. (2000). Indexing creativity fostering teacher behavior: Preliminary validation study. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 34(2), 118–134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stern, W. (1906). Person and Sache: System der philosophischer Weltanschaunung (Erster Band-Ableitung und Grundlehre). Leipzig: Barth.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sternberg, R. J. (Ed.) (1999). Handbook of creativity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sundararajan, L., & Raina, M. K. (2015). Revolutionary creativity East and West: A critique from indigenous psychology. Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, 35(1), 3–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tamugi, A. (1994). Acting minister for community development and minister of state for the environment at the opening of the creative arts program seminar at the National University of Singapore Theater, May 31. Singapore: National Archives Library.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tan, A. G. (1999). An exploratory study of Singaporean student teachers’ perception of teacher roles that are important in fostering creativity. Education Journal, 27(2), 103–123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tan, A. G. (2000). Psychology of cultivating creativity: Conceptions and competence. Singapore: Lingzi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tan, A. G. (2013). Creativity in cross-disciplinary research. In E. Shiu (Ed.), Creativity research: An interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research handbook (pp. 68–85). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tan, T. (2015). Eulogy by president the state funeral service for the late Mr. Lee Kuan Yew at Singapore Conference Hall, Sunday, 29 March.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tan, A. G., & Law, L. C. (2004). Creativity for teachers. Singapore: Marshall-Cavendish.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teo, C. H. (1997). Opening the frontier in education with information technology. Minister for Education’s speech at the launch of the IT Masterplan in Educaton (April 28). Speeches, 21(2), 92–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Torrance, E. P. (1974). The Torrance tests of creative thinking: Norms-technical manual. Lexington: Personnel/Ginn.

    Google Scholar 

  • Torrance, E. P., Gowan, J. C., Wu, J. J., & Aliotti, N. C. (1970). Creative functioning of monolingual and bilingual children in Singapore. Journal of Educational Psychology, 61(1), 72–75. doi:10.1037/h0028767.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valsiner, J. (1996). Coconstructivism and development: A socio-historic tradition. Anuario de Psicologia, 69, 63–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Valsiner, J. (2008). Open intransitivity cycles in development and education: Pathways to synthesis. European Journal of Psychology of Education, XXIII(2), 131–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vygotsky, L. (1930). The instrumental method in psychology by Vygotsky 1930. Marxists.org . Retrieved 23 Sept 2014, from https://www.marxists.org/archive/vygotsky/works/1930/instrumental.htm

  • Vygotsky, L. (2004). Imagination and creativity in early childhood. Journal of Russian and East European Psychology, 42(1), 7–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wan Hussain Zoohri. (1981). Parliamentary secretary (health and culture) at the exhibition on creativity and the disabled at the National Museum Young People’ Gallery on 4 December, at 5.20 p.m. Singapore: National Archives Library.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wan Hussain Zoohri. (1983). Parliamentary secretary (health and culture) at the Singapore Youth Festival Art and Craft Exhibition at the National Museum Art Gallery on 2 August, at 5.30 p.m. Singapore: National Archives Library.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The author would like to express her words of appreciation to Levan Lim Heng-Fook for his feedback on the earlier draft. The draft was further enriched by the newly released writings of LKY and media coverage of his passing away (March 23–29, 2015).

Note

Names of those mentioned in text remain consistent with their preferred use in the Singapore’s society: (e.g., Lee Kuan-Yew and Wan Hussain Zoohri). A hyphen is added between two characters (for Singaporeans of the Chinese descendants) of the first name for ease of reading of the international readers.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ai-Girl Tan .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Copyright information

© 2016 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Tan, AG. (2016). Constructive Creativity in the Context of Singapore. In: Glăveanu, V. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Creativity and Culture Research. Palgrave Studies in Creativity and Culture. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-46344-9_20

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics