A QUALITATIVE CASE STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS ON PROMINENT TURKISH WRITERS A Dissertation by ADALET BARIŞ GÜNERSEL Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY August 2008 Major Subject: Educational Psychology A QUALITATIVE CASE STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS ON PROMINENT TURKISH WRITERS A Dissertation by ADALET BARIŞ GÜNERSEL Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Approved by: Chair of Committee, Stephanie Knight Committee Members, Rodney Hill Joyce Juntune William Nash Head of Department, Michael Benz August 2008 Major Subject: Educational Psychology iii ABSTRACT A Qualitative Case Study of the Impact of Socio-Cultural Factors on Prominent Turkish Writers. (August 2008) Adalet Barış Günersel, B.A., Oberlin College Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Stephanie Knight This study investigates socio-cultural factors that impact the lives of highly creative writers, specifically, novelists in a specific socio-cultural context, Turkey. Research objectives included the investigation of the definition of creativity, creative processes and products by highly creative Turkish writers, and socio-cultural factors that influenced the development of their creativity. The qualitative case study was used and interviews with four participants, or cases, shed light onto the focus of the study. Four novelists who fit certain criteria were selected: (a) they have invented, designed, and produced creative work regularly and their work has influenced Turkish literature; (b) they were Turkish citizens who have lived 75% of their lives in Turkey and received their education in Turkey; and (c) they varied in age and gender. The participants were Yaşar Kemal (85, male), Adalet Ağaoğlu (81, female), Mario Levi (51, male), and Latife Tekin (51, female). Interviews with the participants were transcribed, translated from Turkish into English, and analyzed. The constant comparative method (Glaser & Strauss, 1967; Lincoln & Guba, iv 1985) was used as the method of analysis. Other documents about the participants were also used as data sources. Results indicate that participants’ views of creativity resemble both Western and non-Western views of creativity and their views of creative processes and products are similar to former research findings on creative individuals and creativity in general. Overarching themes include (a) environmental catalysts that prompted creativity; (b) emotional and professional support networks in participants’ lives; and (c) participants’ self-efficacy. Although environmental catalysts include events that cause both positive and negative emotions, two of the participants emphasize the role of negative feelings, such as anger and sadness, in the stimulation of creativity. The participants have had various sources of support from either certain individuals, such as a teacher or a friend, or groups of individuals, such as their readers. Participants’ self-efficacy emerges from various personality traits such as determination, persistence, rebelliousness, outspokenness, and independence. Findings indicate that education is an important socio-cultural factor that can enhance or hinder creativity and that teachers have a crucial role in the development of their students. v DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my wonderful mother, Füsun Günersel, and father, Tarık Günersel, who have helped me become the person I am today. vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to acknowledge and thank the members of my committee and the members of Center for Teaching Excellence for their support. Dr. Stephanie Knight’s advice and guidance, Dr. Joyce Juntune’s enthusiasm, positive energy, and suggestions, and Dr. Prudence Merton’s help during the peer review process have been vital throughout the course of this research. I would also like to thank Dr. Nancy Simpson for her continuous support and for letting me become a part of the Center for Teaching Excellence. Thanks to my friends at Texas A&M University for being there for me and special thanks to my boyfriend, Philipp Karl Illeditsch, and my parents who have helped me through these years. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................. iii DEDICATION .......................................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................................... vi TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................... vii LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION………………………………………………….1 The Research Gap ................................................................. 2 Purpose of the Study ............................................................. 5 The Research Questions ........................................................ 5 Definition of Terms ............................................................... 6 Research Design .................................................................... 7 Significance of the Study ...................................................... 9 Summary ............................................................................... 10 II REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE……………………………….. 12 Definitions of Creativity and Giftedness ............................... 13 History of Creativity Research .............................................. 14 Approaches to Creativity Research ....................................... 16 Common Research Methods in Creativity Research ............. 34 Western and Non-Western Cultures and Views of Creativity. .............................................................................. 35 The Turkish Context .............................................................. 44 Summary ............................................................................... 76 III METHODOLOGY………………………………………………… 78 Research Design .................................................................... 78 Participants (Cases) ............................................................... 79 Data Sources .......................................................................... 85 Procedures ............................................................................. 87 viii CHAPTER Page Data Analysis ........................................................................ 88 Data Presentation ................................................................... 92 Validation .............................................................................. 92 Research Orientation ............................................................. 95 Summary ............................................................................... 96 IV RESULTS: WITHIN-CASE ANALYSIS………………………… 98 Section 1: Yaşar Kemal ......................................................... 99 Section 2: Adalet Ağaoğlu .................................................... 134 Section 3: Mario Levi ............................................................ 179 Section 4: Latife Tekin .......................................................... 203 V CROSS-CASE ANALYSIS AND COMPARISON TO FORMER RESEARCH…………………………………………...……………245 Research Question One ......................................................... 246 Research Question Two ........................................................ 250 Research Question Three ...................................................... 258 Summary ............................................................................... 283 VI CONCLUSIONS……………………………………………….…...286 Overarching Themes ............................................................. 286 Summary and Conclusions .................................................... 290 Suggestions for Future Research ........................................... 295 REFERENCES .......................................................................................................... 296 APPENDIX A ........................................................................................................... 327 APPENDIX B ........................................................................................................... 328 APPENDIX C ........................................................................................................... 332 APPENDIX D ........................................................................................................... 333 APPENDIX E ............................................................................................................ 338 VITA ......................................................................................................................... 340 ix LIST OF TABLES TABLE Page 1 The Kemalist Reforms ..................................................................................... 55 2 Participants/Cases ............................................................................................. 84 3 Interview Guide ................................................................................................ 87 4 Follow-Up Interview Information .................................................................... 87 5 Peer Review Meetings .....................................................................................