Abstract

Through a cultural dynamics lens, what are the promises and pitfalls of having a life purpose to make a creative contribution to one's culture? Purpose is self-regulation that focuses on a personally meaningful intention to accomplish something prosocial. Although previously studied among older adults reflecting on their lives, a more recent perspective on purpose studies youth prospectively planning their lives. Creativity is the introduction of a novel yet appropriate meaning into a situation that, over time if it is adopted by enough others, can become a new cultural norm. Purpose is a stabilizing personal beacon for understanding and enacting one's role within a culture, whereas creativity initiates and amplifies a ripple effect on the culture's dynamics. A creativity-driven life purpose aims to change, redirect, or augment some aspect of culture. It brings the promise of deepening and elaborating cultural resources and the common good. Yet, creativity often requires that the creator provides most of the momentum to proceed. The uncertainty of creativity can lead to fewer social and institutional supports plus more challenges and resistance. Creators need to find tolerant early adopters to demonstrate and educate their novel contributions to others. Despite these challenges, many creators describe their purposes in strongly moral terms: they consider their aim a personal responsibility to share with other minds something "beloved" in their cultural domain as a way to enlarge cultural opportunities for all. Educators can support or thwart creativity-driven purposes in youth; practical suggestions for helping such purpose development are discussed.