Self-Reported Drug Use and Creativity: (Re)Establishing Layperson Myths. (October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Humphrey, Danielle E.; McKay, Alexander S.; Primi, Ricardo; Kaufman, James C.
• Is Part Of: Imagination, cognition and personality. Volume 34:Number 2(2014:Oct.)
• Page Start: 179
• Page End: 201
• Publication Date: 2014-10
• Subjects: Consciousness -- Periodicals; Imagination -- Periodicals; Personality -- Periodicals; 153
• DOI: 10.2190/IC.34.2.f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0276-2366

Abstract

This study examined self-reported drug use (legal, illegal, and psychotropic) and creativity (using self-assessments, behavioral checklists, and a photo caption task). Drug usage was first analyzed using EFA and CFA; these factors were then entered into SEM analyses in order to predict creativity on each of the four measures while controlling for openness to experience. Although openness to experience was the strongest predictor of creativity on all scales, self-reported drug use did provide some incremental effects beyond personality on the creativity measures. Results are explained in terms of possible expectancy/placebo effects.