<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Is it possible to speak of the <italic>compulsion to create</italic>? And if so, what underlies it? In this article, I set out to offer a comprehensive explanation of what may cause the strong desire for creative activity observable in many artistically-inclined individuals. To describe this desire, I use the term <italic>compulsion to create</italic>, and drawing upon examples from both pop-culture and the lives of famous artists on the one hand, and philosophical and scholarly writings on the other, I seek its sources in the individual’s psyche. I discuss how the compulsion to create depends, among other factors, on an individual’s personality and mental state (in the sense of Sigmund Freud’s and Elaine N. Aron’s theories), transcendental circumstances (in the sense of Carl Jung’s theory) and character traits (as defined by Jordan Peterson). Then, I frame the phenomenon studied within the 4Ps Model of Creativity. I point to a significant correlation between the <italic>compulsion to create</italic> and high levels of an individual’s creativity. Additionally, I discriminate between the notions of the <italic>drive</italic> to create and the <italic>compulsion</italic> to create. The article proposes a definition of the <italic>compulsion to create</italic> which allows for a clear understanding of this notion and its popular application in the field of creatology.</p></abstract>

Is it possible to speak of the compulsion to create? And if so, what underlies it? In this article, I set out to offer a comprehensive explanation of what may cause the strong desire for creative activity observable in many artistically-inclined individuals. To describe this desire, I use the term compulsion to create, and drawing upon examples from both pop-culture and the lives of famous artists on the one hand, and philosophical and scholarly writings on the other, I seek its sources in the individual’s psyche. I discuss how the compulsion to create depends, among other factors, on an individual’s personality and mental state (in the sense of Sigmund Freud’s and Elaine N. Aron’s theories), transcendental circumstances (in the sense of Carl Jung’s theory) and character traits (as defined by Jordan Peterson). Then, I frame the phenomenon studied within the 4Ps Model of Creativity. I point to a significant correlation between the compulsion to create and high levels of an individual’s creativity. Additionally, I discriminate between the notions of the drive to create and the compulsion to create. The article proposes a definition of the compulsion to create which allows for a clear understanding of this notion and its popular application in the field of creatology.

The Compulsion to Create: Definition and Genesis of the Phenomenon

Creativity. Theories – Research - Applications

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

{"article-title":"The Compulsion to Create: Definition and Genesis of the Phenomenon"}

Is it possible to speak of the compulsion to create? And if so, what underlies it? In this article, I set out to offer a comprehensive explanation of what may...

The Compulsion to Create: Definition and Genesis of the Phenomenon

Pubblicato online: 09 apr 2020

Pagine: 250 - 263

Ricevuto: 20 mag 2019

Accettato: 29 dic 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ctra-2019-0014

Parole chiave
Compulsion to create, Creative urge, Depth psychology and creativity, Creatology

© 2019 Agnieszka Janiszewska-Szczepanik, published by Sciendo

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

The Compulsion to Create: Definition and Genesis of the Phenomenon

Pubblicato online: 09 apr 2020

Pagine: 250 - 263

Ricevuto: 20 mag 2019

Accettato: 29 dic 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ctra-2019-0014

Parole chiaveCompulsion to create, Creative urge, Depth psychology and creativity, Creatology

© 2019 Agnieszka Janiszewska-Szczepanik, published by Sciendo

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

Parole chiave
Compulsion to create, Creative urge, Depth psychology and creativity, Creatology