1
MA student on General Psychology at University of Tarbiat Modares
2
(PhD), University of Tarbiat Modares
Abstract
The present study was conducted to assess and compare creative thinking in monolingual and early equal bilingual children, while taking into account the gender differences. It was a research with causal-comparative design. The research sample consisted of 200 female and male students (100 Turk-Fars bilingual students and 100 Fars monolingual students) which were selected using convenience sampling method from elementary schools in 2nd educational district of the city of Qom. Early equal bilinguals were diagnosed with semi-structured interview consisting of demographic information in both languages, Turkish and Farsi. Also, the data was collected using Torrance Creative Thinking Test (figural version of form B) and the results were analyzed using independent samples t-test by SPSS software. The results showed that bilinguals and monolinguals and females and males have significant differences according to creative thinking. Among these groups, male bilinguals have performed better than female monolinguals. In addition to the total score of creativity, subscales of creative thinking were also significantly different between the groups, indicating a difference in how they think and act creatively. Superior performance of bilinguals can be mainly attributed to the type of bilingualism, i.e., early equal bilingualism. This finding is consistent with previous findings, showing that this type of bilinguals have greater level of mental flexibility in conducting cognitive tasks. The figural format of the test is the main reason for better performance of males compared to females.
Bayānlou, A., Āzād Fallāh, P., & Rasoul Zādeye Tabātabāyi, K. (2014). Assessment and comparison of creative thinking in monolingual and early equal bilingual children. Journal of Educational Innovations, 13(1), 92-107.
MLA
A’zam Bayānlou; Parviz Āzād Fallāh; Kāzem Rasoul Zādeye Tabātabāyi. "Assessment and comparison of creative thinking in monolingual and early equal bilingual children". Journal of Educational Innovations, 13, 1, 2014, 92-107.
HARVARD
Bayānlou, A., Āzād Fallāh, P., Rasoul Zādeye Tabātabāyi, K. (2014). 'Assessment and comparison of creative thinking in monolingual and early equal bilingual children', Journal of Educational Innovations, 13(1), pp. 92-107.
VANCOUVER
Bayānlou, A., Āzād Fallāh, P., Rasoul Zādeye Tabātabāyi, K. Assessment and comparison of creative thinking in monolingual and early equal bilingual children. Journal of Educational Innovations, 2014; 13(1): 92-107.
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