Introduction The concept of affective states influencing creativity can be found documented as far back as the writings of Aristotle, in his words, “No great mind every existed without a touch of madness.” Exploration of this concept can be found in early studies conducted by Andreasen (1988), Jamison (1995), and Ludwig (1988). These researchers indicate high levels of affect disorders in persons who have achieved literary eminence. A multitude of studies comparing the role of affective states to genetics, cognition, personality, and intelligence, propose affective disorders consistently contribute to higher rates of creativity (Do I need to list all the studies or can this be stated in a broad context without citations?) Glazer (2009) believes the differences in personality, cognition, and behavior are nonlinear fluctuations and that creativity can exist on a continuum (2009). This view complicates the comparison of creativity to Bipolar Disorder which also exists on a continuum. According to Ludwig (1988), creativity in eminent persons many not transfer to non-eminent persons. Rather, everyday creativity, found in real life activities, among a diverse group of people, more realistically describes creativity of non-eminence (Richards, Kinney, Benet, Merzel, 1988). Considering, creativity lacks a clear definition, a common questions exists, “how does one define and how does one measure creativity?” What was once referred to as the mad genius, manic-depressant, or melancholic, is now classified within a spectrum of affective or mood disorders as listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). (Is this common knowledge or do I need to cite?). Bipolar disorder is a continuum of moods ranging from states of manic hi... ... middle of paper ... ...ychological Reports, 77, 3, 907-910. Strong, C. M., Nowakowska, C., Santosa, C. M., Wang, P. W., Kraemer, H. C., & Ketter, T. A. (2007). Temperament–creativity relationships in mood disorder patients, healthy controls and highly creative individuals. Journal of Affective Disorders. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2006.10.015 Soeiro-de-Souza, M. G., Dias, V. V., Bio, D. S., Post, R. M., & Moreno, R. A. (2011). Creativity and executive function across manic, mixed and depressive episodes in bipolar I disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2011.06.024 Srivasta, S., Childers, M. E., Hyun Baek, J. H., Strong, C. M., Hill, S. J., Warsett, K. S., & Ketter, T. A. (2010). Toward interaction of affective and cognitive contributors to creativity in bipolar disorder: A controlled study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 125, 27-34. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2009.12.018
Shaughnessy, M. F., & Wakefield, J. F. (2003). Creativity: Assessment. In N. Piotrowski & T. Irons-Georges (Eds.), Magill's encyclopedia of social science:Psychology (pp. 459-463). Pasadena, CA: Salem Press.
In DSM-V, bipolar 1 disorder is defined as meeting the following criteria for a manic episode, which may or may not be followed by a hypomanic or major depressive episode: There must be a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irri...
In this study 491 twelve-year-old children were asked to complete surveys that would allow researchers to measure variations in creativity. Of these 491 students, 53% were female, 34% were African American, and 66% were Caucasian American. Due to this variation in population researchers were testing they were able to get an ov...
A person suffering from bipolar disorder alternates from manic states to those of depression. These emotional states can alternate cyclically or one mood may dominate over the other. It is also possible for the two to be mixed or combined with each other.
Is bipolar disorder the cause of great madness or great genius? The symptoms of this mental illness may also be considered as the driving forces behind some of the most gifted and talented people to grace our society. Although individuals with this illness may have some obstacles to overcome, it can be accomplished. With all of the treatment programs that are widely available, people have many options and methods to turn to for help.
Bipolar Disorder can be classified by the occurrence of manic episodes followed by hypomanic or major depressive episodes. A manic episode is a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, extensive, or irritable mood and abnormally and persistently increased goal-directed activity or energy, lasting at least 1 week and present most of the day, nearly every day. During the specific period of mood disturbance and increased energy or activity, many symptoms are present. Some examples of these symptoms can include: -Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, and are more talkative than usual (“Bipolar and Related Disorders, “n.d.). There is a 10- 15% risk of completed suicide associated with Bipolar Disorder (“Bipolar Depression”, 2)
Chatterjee, A., Farrah, M., Haimm, C., Sankoorikal, G (2010). When we enhance cognition with Adderrall, do we sacrifice creativity? Psychopharmacology, 202, 541-547. Doi:10.1007/s00213-1369-3
Centuries of literature and innumerable studies have supported strong cases relating creativity--particularly in the arts, music and literature--to bipolar disorder. Both creativity and bipolar disorder can be attributed to a genetic predisposition and environmental influences. Biographical studies, diagnostic and psychological studies and family studies provide different aspects for examining this relationship.
I have a habit of noticing redundancies in other people. Their personalities and their thoughts just seem so similar: daughters trying to be like mothers, or sons trying to be like fathers, or friends trying to be like each other. In my mind the sense of "self" that we as human beings have is more of a delusion than a reality, where we are nothing but the products of a multitude of influences throughout our lives. Did I ever have an original thought in my life? Or is it always someone else's idea that I am only repeating? What does it mean to be a human being without original thought and creativity? I talk like my friends do. I learned body language from my parents, stories from movies and books, perspectives on life from parents or philosophers or friends or teachers. Despite the myriad of thoughts that make up my personality, I feel as if I only absorbed my surroundings with no real personal creation. My parents keep asking me: "Who have you been hanging out with? Why do you act like this?" as if they already know that the comments I make, or the movies I enjoy or any of my other sudden preferences and mannerisms are not my own. When we are young, the adults tell us that "everyone is `special,' but how could I believe in this idea of personal creativity and uniqueness when there are so many influences that I copy in my life?
Lish, J.D., Dime-Meenan, S., Whybrow, P.C., Price, R.A. and Hirschfeld, R.M. (1994). The National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association (DMDA) Survey of Bipolar Members. Affective Disorders. 31: pp.281-294.
Shaughnessy, M. F., & Wakefield, J. F. (2003). Creativity: Assessment. In N. Piotrowski & T. Irons-Georges (Eds.), Magill's encyclopedia of social science:Psychology (pp. 459-463). Pasadena, CA: Salem Press.
Creativity is a complex process to be studied, however a lot of recent researchers in Neuroscience and Education have worked in this topic and have established interesting finding. Involving a great amount of the brain in networks, it is not totally clear the biologic process. However, it seems that the problem in the educative field is not the neurobiology but the neuromythology of creativity. In a first part, creativity will be defined following educative and neuroscientific point of views and limitations in experimentation. In a second part, the neurobiology of creativity will be presented and associated with its cognitive meaning.
Weisberg, Robert W. “GENIUS AND MADNESS? A Quasi-Experimental Test of the Hypothesis That Manic-Depression Increases Creativity.” Psychological Science (Wiley-Blackwell) 5.6 (1994): 361-367. Academic Search Premier. Web. 20 Mar. 2014.
Lowenfeld, V. and Brittain, W. L. (1987). Creative and Mental Growth. (eighth edition). New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc.
Creativity can be caused by certain states of mind or situations. One state of mind that can promote creativity is happiness or a positive mood. As said by PBS, “Creativity is less likely to be present with negative emotions such as fear, anger, sadness and anxiety; it is positively associated with positive emotions such as joy, love, and curiosity” (Creativity). This shows that with a positive attitude you can promote creativity. Along with promoting creativity, this link can also make us interested in the world around us and create even more happiness. To create happiness, you must pursue what you 're interested in and have a passion in that subject. This is agreed-upon in a TED talk where the speaker said, “So I always say to people, forget it. Like, if you don 't have an obvious passion, forget about it. Follow your curiosity because passion is sort of a tower of flame that is not always accessible” (Where Does Creativity Come From?). So in summary if you pursue your passion you can create happiness which in turn can create