Broadening Perspective on Creative Personality: Surface and Core Characteristics as Predictors of Creative Achievements

While research on creative personality has a long history, most studies have focused on the relationship between traits and creative achievements. In this concise review, I propose broadening our perspective on personality by including creative self-beliefs, malleable self-related schemas, also known as surface characteristics, alongside traditional personality traits, core characteristics that are relatively stable. I present a summary of research, which examines the discriminant and incremental validity of these two types of personality characteristics. I argue that combining individual differences with a socio-cultural perspective on creative personality enables a better understanding of the transition from potential to creative achievements, even when accounting for such established predictors as intelligence and divergent thinking. Finally, I discuss future research directions, including the exploration of interventions supporting creative expression and the further expansion of personality characteristics associated with creative accomplishments.