Concerted Efforts: Toward a Theory of Reciprocal Influence in Collaborative Circles

• In Event: 228 - Section on Sociology of Culture Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 100min: Table 02. Creativity and Collaboration

Abstract

This paper identifies the cognitive and emotional processes that emerge out of circle interaction and contribute to creative advances in a field. Relying on historical data, building on Farrell and Collins, and arguing that interactional processes within creative groups are understudied, I formulate a theory of reciprocal influence and provide accounts of how that reciprocal influence shaped the development of creative advances in a group of innovative skateboarders named the Bones Brigade. While both Collins’ and Farrell’ work is useful to understand how interaction in circles leads to creativity, neither has fully developed a theory of how the day-to-day interaction in circles leads to creativity. Findings are also relevant to creativity in any field in which creative work is done in circles. I conclude by elaborating how the study of interactional dynamics within creative groups should be further investigated.

Author

• Ugo Corte, Uppsala University