Regional difference in creator identification

The conception of creativity differs between Chinese and Western societies and between different Chinese regions. Characteristic of the Chinese conception is the preference for meritorious contribution to society, attributed to the Chinese collectivist culture. By contrast, the conception of creativity in the West highlights aesthetic or artistic features. Hong Kong also favors aesthetic or artistic features, due to its Westernization, as compared with Mainland China. Such differences transpired in students’ nomination of creators. Accordingly, Mainland Chinese students nominated disproportionately more politicians and philosophers as creators than did Hong Kong and Western students. Conversely, Mainland Chinese students nominated disproportionately fewer artists as creators than students in other places.