Schizotypal and hypomanic traits, creativity, and psychological health

Abstract

There are both theoretical and empirical linkages between the functioning of creative and eminent individuals and a variety of forms of psychopa‐thology, in particular schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder. Thought disorder is conceptually and empirically related to creative Divergent Thinking; schizophrenics and their relatives sometimes show evidence of highly creative adaptations; and psychiatric symptoms, notably manic and impulsive behaviors, are observed in creative and eminent individuals. Recent work has studied both psychopathological and creative functioning as continua rather than as categories or classes. The present study is unique in its use of a population that is both nonclinical and noneminent and examines the relationship between pencil and paper measures of psychotic‐like experiences, creativity, and psychological health. Results indicate that unusual perceptual experiences and beliefs, Hypomanic traits, and Impulsive Nonconformity are associated with creative attitudes and activities. Deficits in experiencing pleasure are negatively correlated with creativity scores. These findings point to the importance of affective, motivational, and behavioral factors in creative functioning especially hypomania and impulsiv‐ity. Subclinical “positive”; symptoms are associated with higher levels of measured creativity; deficit symptoms are associated with lower levels. This research suggests that creativity tests should be included in the assessment of psychological health and personal resourcefulness.