On the relationship between cultural diversity and creativity in education: The moderating role of communal versus divisional mindset

•Diversity increases creativity among schoolchildren.•Creativity effects are moderated by salient mindset.•Diversity increases creativity when a communal mindset is salient.•Diversity does not increase creativity when a divisional mindset is salient.

We conducted an experimental study with the aim of testing certain conditions under which engaging with cultural diversity increases creativity among schoolchildren. Results obtained from a sample of 149 Italian elementary schoolchildren revealed that engaging with cultural diversity, operationalized by asking Italian children to work with immigrant children on a cooperative task, led to an increase in creativity. Furthermore, we found that this effect was only present when a communal but not a divisional mindset (emphasizing group distinctions) was present. We discuss theoretical and practical implications of findings.