On psychological research of antisocial creativity

Abstract

The paper provides a review of foreign and Russian studies on negative aspects of creativity. We show and analyze the currently available knowledge on anti-social creativity and the factors that contribute to its implementation in deviant behavior. Special attention is paid to the studies that explore the relationship between situations, individual differences and negative or malevolent kinds of antisocial creativity. We list the kinds of creativity and antisocial behaviors in which it manifests itself. The paper describes the approaches to the understanding and study of creativity used to cause harm to other people, according to which the asocial creativity should be considered within the framework of morality and conventionality. We provide and analyze the functional model of creativity and its application for the creation of measures and solutions to counter terrorist acts. We distinguish situational and personal characteristics, knowledge of which makes the prediction and prevention of realization of creative potential in aggressive behavior. We analyze research methods of antisocial creativity and highlight promising areas for further study malevolent creativity implemented in various types of deviant behavior. We conclude on the need to study the interaction of personal and situational characteristics that encourage the use of creative abilities to the detriment of others.