ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to explore whether Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVEs) improve the creativity of users regardless of their creative potential profile. The study involved brainstorming sessions in two settings: a real meeting room (RE) and a similar meeting room in a virtual environment (VE). Twenty groups of three users of public transport were randomly assigned to one of the two conditions and performed a brainstorming task on how to improve mobility in Paris. The results indicated that, at the team level, fluency and originality were significantly improved by working in VE compared to RE. However, at the individual level, the results suggested that VE did not favour everyone. Participants in VE with high risk-taking propensity were significantly more creative (fluency and originality) than the other participants (e.g., those with a similar profile in RE as well as participants with low scores in risk taking in VE). A similar trend was observed for divergent thinking and mental flexibility but to a lesser extent. The results suggest that VE offered a “freeing” atmosphere that disinhibited the participants with high risk-taking propensity, divergent thinking, and mental flexibility abilities.
