Creativity—Innovative Thinking—Tolerance in Uncertainty: Views of Undergraduate Students in Greek Universities Based on the Faculty of Their Studies

Yota Xanthacou, Nektarios A. Stavrou, Thomas Babalis

University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
University of the Aegean, Rhodes, Greece.

DOI: 10.4236/ce.2013.42020                

Abstract

Innovative-creative thinking and tolerance towards uncertain situations concern the field of the present study. Through scenarios and alternative proposals that concern views about the presence (university) or the future as well (professional career after the university), the research focuses on undergraduate students in Greek universities. The research took place in2011 ina sample of 836 students, using the questionnaire as an instrument, in a difficult financially and socially conjuncture for the country, with the unemployment galloping especially in young people and graduates.The present study examines the extent to which the type of student’s studies (social science and science) differentiates innovative-creative thinking and tolerance towards the uncertainty of subjects. Results showed that undergraduates of Social Science Faculties make more “conservative” choices, both during their studies as well as during the selection of professional perspectives. On the other hand, students of Sciences show higher tolerance in uncertainty, pursuing more challenging working conditions, as well as assessment conditions during their studies, in comparison to students of Social Science Faculties.

Keywords

Creativity; Innovative Thinking

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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