What do fictional characters like Hannibal Lecter, Norman Bates, and the Joker have in common? Answer: they all seem to display psychopathic behavior, and we’re somehow fascinated by their stories and how cunning they are. And based on a recent study, this behavior may be what fuels their creativity—and yes, this also includes others with artistic talents.
We recently stumbled upon an article on Nylon which featured a study done by psychologists from De La Salle University on the psychopathic behavior of creative individuals. However, it seems this study is more than just the possibility of creatives to have scary and demented traits that we usually see in the media.
Psychologist and head of the study Adrianne John Galang explains that the study aimed to find out why characteristics like dishonesty, arrogance, and other antisocial traits are always associated to these people using the prosocial psychopath model he developed in 2010.
In simpler terms, prosocial psychopaths are those who still have difficulty empathisizing, with others, but remains in a socially-accepted boundary. That said, AJ and his colleagues found that creativity and some antisocial traits are rooted from here.
Meanwhile, AJ also wants to clarify that the study does not aim to create monsters out of these individuals. “Most of the reporting is hype and misrepresents the study,” he tells us. “Other reports are all about ‘artists are psychopaths, OMG!’ That is definitely not the conclusion we reached from the data—not to mention that we were also interested in scientific creativity. I guess people love to romanticize the genius-arts-monster stereotype.”
When asked on why the study is getting attention from pop culture outlets, he simply attributes it to people’s fascination with fictional psychopaths. “I don’t really know why they like it, but I’m guessing it’s the connection with psychopathy that got people interested in our study, ” he says.
Further, they also want their findings to cultivate the different kinds of boldness associated with creativity and psychopathic tendencies, as well as pinpoint and remedy emotional disinhibition.
So, no, psychopaths are not default serial killers, and not all people who possess these traits can definitely channel and utilize it to their creative advantage.
Screengrab from Girl, Interrupted