Is There A Link Between Psychopathy And Creativity?
I have always been very creative and able to think outside the box.
According to the latest research there is a link between psychopathy and creativeness:
Galang et al. Personality and Individual Differences 2016 in a study that involved 503 participants, who were surveyed in order to detect traits of narcissism, psychopathy and Machiavellianism:
We find that emotional disinhibition, in the form of psychopathic boldness, is integral to some creative personalities and functionally related to the creative process.” Galang et al, PID 2016
Just a little reminder for my readers. If I write about something it is always because I had a hypothesis first.
Often, I accidentally (or perhaps my subconsciousness helps me) find studies in line with my hypotheses.
I always taught there was a link between psychopathy and creativity, but as in this post I use a study to validate my point.
One important psychopathic trait:
- A disregard for laws and social norms
If you want a more thorough post about psychopathy and traits, I wrote a post some time ago What Is The Difference Between a Psychopath And a Sociopath?
✒ Creativity involves divergent thinking, where you form a wide range of thoughts instead of the tried and tested, i.e. thinking outside the box.
✒ The creative person, like the psychopath, is less emotionally inhibited (disinhibited) than others by social conventions. Psychopaths love to break social rules.
✒ Creativity also involves a kind of brain storming where you get new ideas, and you have to love taking risks.
As we all know, psychopaths love the risky.
Picasso is one of the most important painter through all time had several psychopathic traits, and he broke the rules of art when he went cubist.
Pablo Picasso, 1939 Tête de femme au chapeau bleu à ruban rouge
As a creative individual I am always looking for news solutions, to cut corners and to change the current paradigm.
Alas, Norway is among the countries with the strictest social norms, along with Pakistan, India, Malaysia and South Korea NHH.
You have the Scandinavian implicit code of conduct known as the Law of Jante (named for a small Danish town in a novel):
- You're not to think you are anything special.
- You're not to think you are as good as us.
- You're not to think you are smarter than us.
- You're not to convince yourself that you are better than us.
- You're not to think you know more than us.
- You're not to think you are more important than us.
- You're not to think you are good at anything.
- You're not to laugh at us.
- You're not to think anyone cares about you.
- You're not to think you can teach us anything.
Wikipedia
As you can imagine: Norway is not a great country for a creative person!
Thus, my creativity has just been a personal burden for me so far.
On one hand it is difficult to use your creativity here because the current mantra is : That’s the way we do it here. End of discussion!
Also, I get extremely bored with doing things the normal way (which are cumbersome by default).
Even though I am creative, I do not consider myself a psychopath.
Thus, I do not think that all creative people are psychopaths, but I am pretty sure that most psychopaths are creative.
I am also kind of sceptical to the word ‘psychopath’, because of all the false mental images associated with it. People with psychopathic tendencies are important leaders in every field imaginable; they rule the world. So if normal people just think psychopaths are rapist and killers, they kind of missed the point.
Are you creative?
Have you managed to utilise the power of your creativity?
Very disturbing these Laws of Jante. I would have never associated Denmark with Pakistan!
But I do think there's a link between being creative and being a psychopath, at least as far as disregarding social norms. I don't know about you, but personally I don't think I'm enough of a psychopath to be really creative!
Well, the similarity is the conformity. In Pakistan it is sharia and probably local traditions that punishes people that act without the social norms. In Scandinavia it is more subtle. I do think that you can be creative without being a psychopath. I guess you are probably really creative already @ladyrebecca!
Great post! Nice read. But just looking at the Picaso paintings, looks like a total psychopath drew that! Thanks for stopping by my post about Cuenca Ecuador, and complimenting me with your powerful up-vote. You've got a 100% of my up-vote too....unfortunatly it's only worth four cents :(....lol
But I'll be following you and I enjoy what you write about. Keep on steemin!
-Dan "World Travel Pro!"
Thanks, Dan "World Travel Pro!"! I am looking for an expat destination which is 1. safe 2. good infrastructure 3. affordable 4. rich culture 5. spanish talking. I had Ecuador on my mind, and then I found your post about Cuenca! There are many considerations to take before relocating. Do you perhaps have a perfect relation spot for a 'conservative' European:)? Have a nice day!
I'm thinking I should have done a video at my beach front office first thing tmr. Let me know more about your interest, prefer beach, mountains, hot, cold, city, small town. Social life, visa, temporary, long term, retirment situation, single, married, looking for friends.......More details better your answer.
Thanks for a thorough comment. I am going to look into Thailand. Heard many positive think about T as an expat destination.
Your very welcome, I would take SE Asia over Latin America any day. To really take a deep step back and look at these regions of the world. SE Asia is safer, better weather, much better culture, more stable governments, and they all speak English or at least try to, where in Latin American not so much, it's more affordable too, and closer to your home of Norway? Correct? Thailand is like the crown jewel of this part of the world. Have you been to SE Asia before? Thailand?
I can follow you yes. Sometimes we have to think a little psychiapath for some matters haha :)
on point ride on more more
I think that creativity is bred from us being psychopaths. To unlock true uncanny pieces of art you have to break free on conforming to the rules that society places on us and I think that enables people to be able create something like Picasso's work.
That rush of freedom you get as you hectically brush away creating a beast of beauty. I think like many things there is a scale between being creative and a psychopath.
Maybe creative on the far left where you are tame and gentle where as on the other side of the spectrum you could be a psychopath where you are at one with your painting and every brush and stroke has deep meaning, zeal and power to you.
A really enthralling post @janusface
Thanks @arckrai! Agreed. Imo psychopathy is neurobiological in nature. So either you are psychopath or not. I guess most creative persons are not psychopaths, but if you dig deep into the life of many artists...
Sounds logical to think that most unnoticable and with top positions in the chain of command, are very creative as well. Not thinking all of them are though, especially those that don't hide it well. So the better one is at hiding it, the more creative that person is.
(btw your "source" link below the Law of Jante lines isn't working)
Agreed. Thanks: Link is working now:)
Enjoyed it. Tip!
" A disregard for social norms and laws" This one is interesting I think. It can be used to label everyone who are against government, welfare states and redistribution of money and force - as psychopats :)
hmm pretty interesting ,the monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.
@janusface,
Well detailed the psychopathy and creativity! Sometimes I might be a creative person! Thaks for this post I could understood it! Really appreciate your effort and thanks for sharing!
Cheers~