Psychopathology, adversity, and creativity: Diversifying experiences in the development of eminent African Americans.

Abstract

Symptoms associated with mental illness have been hypothesized to relate to creative achievement because they act as diversifying experiences. However, this theory has only been tested on predominantly majority-culture samples. Do tendencies toward mental illness still predict eminent creativity when they coexist with other diversifying experiences, such as early parental death, minority-status, or poverty? These alternative diversifying experiences can be collectively referred to as examples of developmental adversity. This conjecture was tested on a significant sample of 291 eminent African Americans who, by the nature of their status as long-term minorities, would experience more developmental adversity. Replicating majority-culture patterns, African American artists showed higher mental illness rates than African American scientists. Yet the absolute percentages were significantly lower for the African Americans, regardless of profession. Furthermore, mental illness predicted higher eminence levels only for the African American artists, an effect that diminished when controlling for developmental adversity. Because the latter predicted eminence for both artists and scientists, the "madness-to-genius" link probably represents just 1 of several routes by which diversifying experiences can influence eminence. The same developmental ends can be attained by different means. This inference warrants further research using other eminent creators emerging from minority culture populations.

Reverse engineering genius: historiometric studies of superlative talent

“…This possibility was tested in a recent study of 291 eminent African Americans, a group that tended to experience far more developmental adversity than would be expected among eminent achievers in the majority culture. 43 Although the distribution of psychopathology across the domains followed the expected pattern-especially the contrast between artistic and scientific geniuses-the overall level of mental illness was much lower than predicted. Most strikingly, there were no suicides, not even among the literary creators!…”

“…Put differently, diversifying experiences might be split into two categories of variables: psychopathological inclinations and developmental adversity. This possibility was tested in a recent study of 291 eminent African Americans, a group that tended to experience far more developmental adversity than would be expected among eminent achievers in the majority culture . Although the distribution of psychopathology across the domains followed the expected pattern—especially the contrast between artistic and scientific geniuses—the overall level of mental illness was much lower than predicted.…”

“Peaks, Slumps, and Bumps”: Individual Differences in the Development of Creativity in Children and Adolescents

“…They concluded that street children gained “training” in this type of tasks given the nature of their daily‐life experience (perhaps requiring some of the skills engaged by alternative uses tasks). Similarly, Damian and Simonton () make the hypothesis that experiences of developmental adversity (such as early parental death, poverty, or psychopathology) might foster unconventional ideas. Based on an analysis of eminent African Americans, they concluded that “diversifying experiences” push people outside the realm of “normality” and in turn influence the development of creativity.…”

Open Peer Commentary

“…Finally, two additional ways in which research on post‐traumatic growth may broaden its operating model come from a research tradition in creative achievement. According to this research, diversifying experiences are highly unusual and unexpected events or situations that push individuals outside the realm of ‘normality’ (Damian & Simonton, , , in press). Any unusual and unexpected events, positive or negative , may fulfil this role through the ‘strain’ they place on the individual, by providing the experience necessary to break boundaries and see the world in multiple ways, which presumably equips them with the cognitive flexibility necessary for coming up with creative ideas.…”