<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p><xref ref-type="bibr" rid="j_ctra-2018-0017_ref_017_w2aab3b7b9b1b6b1ab1ac17Aa">Kaufman (2018)</xref> calls for a research agenda on outcomes of creativity. Despite its many conceivable positive consequences, we focus on narcissism as a potentially less socially desirable outcome of creative accomplishment in this commentary. Evidence from cross-sectional studies suggests a systematic link between different indicators of creativity and narcissism. We argue that - irrespective of methodological challenges associated with this research - it seems indeed plausible that creativity is associated with narcissism. The link is presumably strongest in individuals who engage in creativity for recognition motives. Narcissistic strivings might ignite creative endeavors, and positive social feedback for creative accomplishments might fuel narcissism. While more research needs to be done to understand the causal nature of the effects, the available evidence points to narcissism as a socially undesirable aspect of creativity which is not commonly discussed.</p></abstract>

Kaufman (2018) calls for a research agenda on outcomes of creativity. Despite its many conceivable positive consequences, we focus on narcissism as a potentially less socially desirable outcome of creative accomplishment in this commentary. Evidence from cross-sectional studies suggests a systematic link between different indicators of creativity and narcissism. We argue that - irrespective of methodological challenges associated with this research - it seems indeed plausible that creativity is associated with narcissism. The link is presumably strongest in individuals who engage in creativity for recognition motives. Narcissistic strivings might ignite creative endeavors, and positive social feedback for creative accomplishments might fuel narcissism. While more research needs to be done to understand the causal nature of the effects, the available evidence points to narcissism as a socially undesirable aspect of creativity which is not commonly discussed.

On Risks and Side Effects: Does Creative Accomplishment Make us Narcissistic?

Creativity. Theories – Research - Applications

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"On Risks and Side Effects: Does Creative Accomplishment Make us Narcissistic?"}

Kaufman (2018) calls for a research agenda on outcomes of creativity. Despite its many conceivable positive consequences, we focus on narcissism as a...

On Risks and Side Effects: Does Creative Accomplishment Make us Narcissistic?

Published Online: Jan 03, 2019

Page range: 182 - 187

Received: Nov 15, 2018

Accepted: Dec 10, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ctra-2018-0017

Keywords
Creativity, Narcissism

© 2018 Emanuel Jauk et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

On Risks and Side Effects: Does Creative Accomplishment Make us Narcissistic?

Published Online: Jan 03, 2019

Page range: 182 - 187

Received: Nov 15, 2018

Accepted: Dec 10, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ctra-2018-0017

KeywordsCreativity, Narcissism

© 2018 Emanuel Jauk et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Creativity, Narcissism