Hotspots and research trends of the ‘dark side of creativity’ in the last decade

Abstract

Creativity can function as a catalyst for social development; however, it also possesses a destructive potential. In recent years, scholars have discovered that creativity harbors a dark side, counterbalancing its positive aspects. This study aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics surrounding research on the ‘dark side of creativity’, disseminate the findings, and provide a valuable reference for future researchers in the field. To achieve this objective, bibliometric methods were employed to visualize the overall landscape of the literature, identify prevailing topics, significant works, highly cited authors, and forecast future trends. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) Society presently places substantial importance on investigating the ‘dark side of creativity’. (2) Research exploring this facet of creativity spans across multiple disciplines, fields, and geographical locations. (3) The ‘dark side of creativity’ exhibits a close association with psychological states and the social environment. (4) Investigations into the ‘dark side of creativity’ reveal a scientific, diversified, and open research trajectory. (5) Future research is expected to focus on themes such as ‘anxiety’, ‘malevolent creativity’, ‘COVID-19’, ‘trait’, ‘gender’, ‘depression’, ‘strategy’ as emerging trends.