Creativity and the aspects of neuroticism

Abstract

The personality trait neuroticism has two aspects, withdrawal and volatility, that are both associated with different forms of psychopathology. Specific psychopathological disorders have also been associated with increased creativity, implying that certain traits that make one more vulnerable to mental illness may also play a role in creative innovation. However, few studies have looked at the relation between the specific aspects of neuroticism and creativity. This study looked at creative achievement (measured by the Creative Achievement Questionnaire) and the aspects of neuroticism in three separate samples (total N = 720), after controlling for age, gender, intelligence, and openness. It found that volatility positively predicted creative achievement, especially in the arts, whereas withdrawal negatively predicted creative achievement. This suggests that the trait of volatility may account for some of the relationship between psychopathology and creativity.