Investigating the effect of critical thinking on creative self-concept with the mediating role of openness to diversity and challenge (case study: employees of Payam Noor University, Isfahan province)

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of critical thinking on creative self-concept with the mediating role of openness to diversity and challenge at Payam Noor University in Isfahan province.

The research method was descriptive-survey and applied. The statistical population of the research was made up of all the employees of Payam Noor University of Isfahan province, and at the time of the research (year 1401), their number was 900. The sample size was 270 people using the Karjesi and Morgan table and was selected completely randomly. The tools used were Bravo et al.'s critical thinking tendency scale, Kaufman and Bauer's creative self-concept questionnaire, and Bowman's openness to challenge and diversity scale. Data analysis was done using SPSS and Smart PLS software.

The results obtained from this research showed that critical thinking has a positive and significant effect on both creative self-concept and openness to diversity and challenge. Also, the mediating role of openness to diversity and challenge among the influence of critical thinking on creative self-concept was proven. Therefore, the final results indicated a positive and significant effect of critical thinking on creative self-concept with the mediating role of openness to diversity and challenges in the employees of Payam Noor University, Isfahan province.