Week 13, Questions 2

There are a few cultural barriers to creativity according to Harris.

1) Requirement for conformity
2) Expectations of practicality and efficiency
3) Particular arenas for competition or cooperation
4) Expectations of politeness and following social order
5) A trust in the power of reason and logic

These could cause a couple problems for a group’s creativity. The requirement for conformity might squash the ideas that some members may have. They might feel pressured into thinking like the group rather than outside the box.

I myself have experienced some of these barriers. Particularly with the conformity issue. It happened in high school where conformity tends to be at its highest. I was within my group of friends and we were sitting around thinking of something to do. An idea was thrown out and I wanted to follow up to add onto the idea but refrained because it was out of the norm of the group.