For instance, creativity is positively correlated with psychoticism scores on the EPQ (Eysenck, 1995, 1994). In general, highly creative individuals score above normal level on several dimensions associated with psychopathology (Barron, 1963). The psychometric measures include the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) (Gough, 1953). The sampled creators either vary substantially in creative achievement or else they are compared to a control group of noncreative participants who are otherwise comparable. Here, standard assessment instruments are applied to contemporary creators. Furthermore, the evidence suggests that creativity and mental illness run in the same family lines (Andreasen, 1987 McNeil, 1971 Myerson and Boyle, 1941). Once more, depression, alcoholism and suicide appear to be the most common indicators. In any case, psychiatric studies also seem to find higher rate and intensity of symptoms among distinguished creators, especially those engaged in artistic creativity (Andreasen and Canter, 1974 Jamison, 1989). Hence, the research does not require retrospective analysis as in historiometric research, and the assessment of psychopathology reflects modern standards. This type of evidence depends on the incidence of clinical diagnosis and therapeutic treatment in samples of contemporary creators. Hence, even though there is some evidence that the lifestyle of creative activity can have adverse consequences for mental health (Schaller, 1997), it remains the case that there may be a common genetic component to both creativity and psychopathology (Ludwig, 1995). Thus, according to one study, 87% of famous poets experienced psychopathology whereas only 28% of the eminent scientists did so, a figure close to the population baseline (Ludwig, 1995).įourth, those family lines that produce the most eminent creators also tend to be characterized by a higher rate and intensity of psychopathological symptoms (Jamison, 1993 Juda, 1949 Karlsson, 1970). For example, psychopathology is higher among artistic creators than among scientific creators (Post, 1994 Raskin, 1936). Third, the rate and intensity of symptoms varies according to the specific domain of creativity (Ludwig, 1992 Post, 1994). Second, on average, the more eminent the creator, the higher is the expected rate and intensity of the psychopathological symptoms (Ludwig, 1995). Depression seems to be the most common symptom, along with the correlates of alcoholism and suicide (Goertzel et al., 1978 Ludwig, 1990 Post, 1996). Although the differential depends on the specific definition used, a reasonable estimate is that highly creative individuals are about twice as likely to experience some mental disorder as otherwise comparable noncreative individuals (Ludwig, 1995). Such historiometric inquiries lead to four conclusions.įirst, the rate and intensity of psychopathological symptoms appear to be higher among eminent creators than in the general population (Ellis, 1926 Raskin, 1936). In particular, the biographies of eminent creators are systematically analyzed to discern the presence of symptoms associated with various psychopathological syndromes. In this approach, historical data are subjected to objective and quantitative analyses. Although each source has distinct methodological problems, the findings all converge on the same general conclusions. Scientific data addressing this issue come from three main sources: historiometric, psychiatric and psychometric. Nevertheless, the prevailing view appears to be that psychopathology and creativity are positively associated.īut what is the scientific evidence supporting this hypothesized association? And what does this evidence suggest is the basis for the relationship? On the contrary, humanistic psychologists were inclined to associate creativity with mental health. To be sure, this idea has not gone without challenge. For instance, Cesare Lombroso, M.D., argued toward the end of the 19th century that genius and madness were closely connected manifestations of an underlying degenerative neurological disorder. Centuries later, this belief was developed and expanded by various psychiatrists, psychoanalysts and psychologists. The idea that creativity and psychopathology are somehow linked goes way back to antiquity-to the time of Aristotle.
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