Doktorski studij na FSB: Uvod u znanstveno istraživački rad 2017/2018

Petar Filipović

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL TRAITS OF

CREATIVE PERSON

UDC 159.954

Essay

Summary

In this essay review of literature which deals with creativity and its relationship with

psychological and physical traits of a creative individual is given. The first part of the essay

deals with the psychological traits of a creative person. The second part of the essay deals

with the physical traits of a creative person.

Keywords: creativity; psychological traits; physical traits;

1. Introduction

There are many definitions of creativity. From writers, artists, scientists, and journalist;

they all have their definition of what is creativity. But in general, creativity is the phenomenon

where something new and valuable is formed [1]. Because creativity is a process, something

intangible, the next questions arise, what defines a creative person? Is creativity defined by

genetics or environment has an impact on it? Can creativity be measured? Is there a link

between physical and psychological characteristics of a person and level of the creativity? It is

clear that the phenomenon of creativity is a deep and complex issue. Scientists all over the

world are trying to understand creativity using case studies, experiments, statistics and various

research methods.

This essay aims to provide a review of literature which gives answers to some of the

questions mentioned above, like can creativity be measured? Is creativity defined by genetics

and environment? The final goal is to establish a link between psychological and physical

traits and creativity.

2. Psychological traits of creative person

First attempts to establish a link between psychological characteristics and creativity is

made in the 19th century [2]. By analysing biographies of important creative persons

(scientists, artists, and writers) Galton wanted to find out is there any common personality

trait of these people [2]. A meta-analysis of personality in scientific and artistic creativity is

conducted in [3]. The author established a relationship between creativity and personal traits

among artists and scientists. It is shown that there are certain psychological traits of a person

who is more creative. “Creative people are more autonomous, introverted, open to new

experiences, norm-doubting, self-confident, self-accepting, driven, ambitious, dominant,

hostile, and impulsive” [3]. In this work, it is also shown that creative people in different areas

of work do not share the same personality traits. In [2] is shown that there is a link between

creativity and personal characteristics of an individual. "It is probable that creative individuals

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have a need to take a risk while doing creative activity and to face danger. The certain extent

of unconventionality or even the ‘instability' of personality represents a prerequisite for

opening oneself to creative problem solutions with tendency to take a higher risk” [2].

Openness, neuroticism, agreeableness, and psychoticism and their effect on creativity in

science are studied in [4]. According to [4] and [5], these personality traits are defined as:

Openness – “Openness is the need for variety, change, and novelty”

Neuroticism – “Neuroticism can be described as a tendency to experience

dysphoric affect, especially, sadness, hopelessness, and guilt.”

Agreeableness – “Agreeableness is the willingness to be cooperative and

compassionate during interpersonal conflicts.”

Psychoticism – “The condition or state of being psychotic or of being

predisposed to develop psychosis.”

A positive relationship between creativity in science and openness is found. "Thus,

scientists who have wide imagination, who are curious, and open to new experiences tend to

be more creative than their conventional and down-to-earth colleagues” [4]. Furthermore, it is

shown that openness has a positive impact on every creative measure such as the number of

citations, h-index, and creativity index. The one exception was publications. It is also shown

that openness does not have an impact on the productivity of a scientist. Generally, people

who are more anxious, vulnerable, and emotionally sensitive tend to have a higher level of

creativity. In this study, it is shown that emotionally reactive and sensitive scientists tend to

be more creative. "In short, once its shared variance with other predictors was removed,

emotionally reactive and sensitive scientists were more likely to be creative in science” [4].

The relationship between agreeableness and creativity was not established. “One possible

explanation for this finding may be differences in sample. In studies in which hostility was

associated with scientific creativity, the samples were unusually eminent” [4]. Although,

many researchers reported that symptoms of mild psychopathology are shown among

individuals who are highly creative. In this paper is reported that psychoticism and creativity

are not connected. “In other words, in our sample, creative scientists may be lower on

hostility, impulsivity, and coldness than their less creative peers” [4]. Contradictory results

obtained from different research on the relationship between psychopathology and creativity

may occur due to some researchers tried to link creativity and psychopathology in creative

people in general. "It may be that creative thinking in science requires more focused cognitive

search than creativity in art, literature, and music" [4].

From [6] other characteristics of a creative person can be seen. Intelligence and

creativity are linked. A person with an IQ lower than 120 could have difficulties in doing

creative work, but an IQ higher than 120 does not necessarily mean that person has a higher

level of creativity. Creative people are capable to use two different ways of thinking, the

convergent and the divergent. Simply said, convergent thinking is measured by IQ tests and it

includes solving well-defined, rational problems that have one correct answer. Divergent

thinking is the ability to generate a large number of ideas that do not necessarily have to be

correct. Responsibility and irresponsibility are traits of a creative person. Creative individuals

tend to have a playfully light attitude, but also have a dose of doggedness, endurance, and

perseverance. Alternating between reality and fantasy is another trait of a creative person.

They are able to leap into an imaginary world that is different from the present, but also they

are able to come back from it. In general, people have extroverted or introverted personality

type. A creative person tends to be both extroverted and introverted. A creative person is

humble and proud at the same time because they are aware that they stand "on the shoulders

of giants" as Newton said. A creative individual can escape, in some measure, gender role

Psychological and physical traits of creative person Petar Filipović

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stereotyping. Based on studies among young people it is found out that creative and talented

girls are more dominant and tough than other girls, while creative boys are more sensitive and

less aggressive than other boys. The creative individual is rebellious and conservative at the

same time. At the end, most of the creative individuals are very passionate about their work,

but at the same time, they can be extremely objective about it.

3. Physical traits of creative person

Sometimes, to overcome lack of inspiration or mental blockade people are doing some

kind of physical activity. One example can be found in [7]. “When Hollywood producer

Steven Spielberg was working on his 1977 hit movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind, he

spent long hours puzzling over the artistic texture of the film, trying to get just the right feel.

Late one night, he decided to put his work aside and take a drive to clear his head. He headed

up Hollywood Hill to one of the vistas overlooking Los Angeles and—impulsively, for no

reason at all—he did a hand-stand on the roof of his car. With his perspective on the

illuminated LA cityscape turned topsy-turvy, he “saw” what would become the alien visitors’

spacecraft”. In [8] the impact of physical activity, specifically cycling, on creativity in

divergent and convergent ways of thinking are studied. The positive relationship between

creativity and physical activity is established. It is also found that this benefit depends on the

fitness level of an individual. They suggest taking into account measurement of oxygen

volume during the activity to provide better information on how physical activity affects

creativity. Further, a link between physical activity and creativity among elementary school

children is presented in [9]. The authors determined that level of creativity and level of

physical activity are connected. They also found that there is no difference in creativity

between boys and girls, although boys showed better physical fitness than girls. An

interesting study is conducted in [10]. The authors were trying to establish a relationship

between creativity and hair iron level. It is noted that the level of iron did not show any effect

on creativity level. "Iron levels did not show any significant association with creativity but

displayed significant positive associations with novelty seeking, extraversion, and physical

activity level. These results may be partly congruent with the notion that iron plays a key role

in the dopaminergic system and imply that iron is important for traits and physical activity,

which facilitate creativity” [10].

4. Conclusion

In this essay review of literature which deals with creativity and its relationship with

psychological and physical traits of a creative individual. In the first part of the work, the

definition of creativity is given. Next, the relationship between psychological traits and

creativity is given. It is shown that the creative individual is autonomous, open to new

experiences, intelligent, humble, and proud. They are able to think in the convergent and

divergent way at the same time and also they are extroverted and introverted at the same time.

Researchers also found that creative people in science and arts have different personality

traits. In the last part, the link between physical traits and creativity are given. It is reported

that some kind of level activity can boost the level of creativity. Also, researchers have

investigated if hair iron level has an effect on creativity.

Based on this, it is certain that psychology and physical activity have an effect on the

level of creativity. This research can be used to develop tools and methods to improve

cognitive skills, overall health and success of an individual since childhood.

Petar Filipović Psychological and physical traits of creative person

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REFERENCES

[1] https://www.britannica.com/topic/creativity

[2] Z. Vasasova, Relations between Creativity and the Personal Characteristics of Man, New Educational

Review 24(2) (2011) 57-69.

[3] G. J. Feist, A Meta-Analysis of Personality in Scientific and Artistic Creativity, Personality and Social

Psychology Review (2) (1998) 290-309.

[4] M. Grosul, G.J. Feist, The Creative Person in Science, Psychology of Aesthetics Creativity and the Arts

8(1) (2014) 30-43.

[5] https://en.oxforddictionaries.com

[6] https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/199607/the-creative-personality

[7] http://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/full-frontal-psychology/the-physical-act-of-creativity.html

[8] L.S. Colzato, A. Szapora, J.N. Pannekoek, B. Hommel, The impact of physical exercise on convergent

and divergent thinking, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 7 (2013).

[9] P.A.L. Roman, F.G. Pinillos, A.P. Vallejo, B.B. Aguayo, Creativity and physical fitness in primary

school-aged children, Pediatrics International 59(11) (2017) 1194-1199.

[10] H. Takeuchi, Y. Taki, A. Sekiguchi, R. Nouchi, Y. Kotozaki, S. Nakagawa, C.M. Miyauchi, K. Iizuka, R.

Yokoyama, T. Shinada, Y. Yamamoto, S. Hanawa, T. Araki, H. Hashizume, K. Kunitoki, Y. Sassa, R.

Kawashima, Association of hair iron levels with creativity and psychological variables related to

creativity, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 7 (2013).

Defined: 19.12.2017.

Delivered 11.1.2018.

Supervised by Kalman Žiha

Petar Filipvić, petar.filipovic2806@gmail.com

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture

University of Zagreb Ivana Lučića 5, Croatia