Final answer:
University students focusing on intrinsic aspects of learning, like interest and challenge, are more likely to exhibit creativity. This inclination correlates with studies showing grit and perseverance as key predictors of academic success, surpassing talent or IQ.
Step-by-step explanation:
University students who focus on the interest and challenge of their school work rather than on simply meeting deadlines and securing good grades are especially likely to demonstrate creativity. This connection is grounded in the idea that intrinsic motivation, which is driven by personal interest and the inherent satisfaction of engaging with the material, is a powerful catalyst for creative thinking. Such students are less focused on external rewards like grades, and more on the process of learning, which fosters imagination and innovative problem-solving.
A study has indicated that grit and perseverance are better predictors of academic success and achievement than talent or IQ. Grit entails working steadfastly towards challenges, maintaining effort and interest over years despite failure, adversity, and plateaus in progress. Students who possess grit are more likely to engage deeply with their work out of genuine curiosity and determination, which can lead to increased creativity as they explore concepts more thoroughly and persistently.