The expression of schizotypy in the daily lives of artists.

Abstract

A considerable amount of research suggests that positive schizotypy (cognitive and perceptual aberrations, such as pseudo-hallucinations) is associated with creativity in the arts. In order to better understand how positive schizotypy might be expressed in the creative process, the experience sampling method was used to explore the experiential correlates of schizotypy in a sample of artists. Artists (N = 41) were sampled over a week-long period, answering questions at random intervals that related to mood, cognition, state of consciousness and behaviour, resulting in reports on 2495 experiences. The sample scored significantly higher than normative samples on positive, but not negative, schizotypy, supporting previous research on the role of ‘healthy schizotypy’ in creativity. Multi-level modelling demonstrated that positive schizotypy predicted a particular experiential profile in daily life, characterised by more frequent reports of the flow state, altered experience, internal dialogue, vivid imagery, distractibility, introspection and high self-esteem. Positive schizotypy (but not other dimensions of schizotypy) was also a significant predictor of art-making and inspiration in daily life. Random intercept and slope models suggested that positive schizotypy was associated with greater increases in positive affect and self-esteem during or following art-making, supporting an ‘affective hypothesis’ for the relationship between schizotypy and artistic involvement. This study supports previous research linking positive schizotypy with artistic creativity, and suggests that, in this context, positive schizotypy can be associated with adaptive experiences, including inspiration, flow and self-esteem. Further, art-making may serve a therapeutic function for artists high in positive schizotypy.