4.4 Personality Traits of the Creative Individuals

Numerous studies have been conducted on personality traits that tend to help or hinder creative output. Among those traits most commonly identified as helpful toward one's creative productivity are:

Openness to experience

Independence

Self‑confidence

Willingness to risk

Sense of humour or playfulness

Enjoyment of experimentation

Sensitivity

Lack of a feeling of being threatened

Personal courage

Unconventionality

Flexibility

Preference for complexity

Goal orientation

Internal control

Originality

Self‑reliance

Persistence

Curiosity

Vision

Acceptance of disorder

Tolerance for ambiguity

Motivation

Inclination to the off‑beat

Personality traits that have been identified as characterizing creative individuals are often thought of in the light of Thoreau's person who hears a different drummer. The person is generally a nonconformist but not necessarily in an abrasive way. In fact, timidity is often a trait attributed to a creative person. A number of the characteristics seem to be juxtaposed to others. Are these traits innate, or are they acquired? If they can be acquired, the question for educators, then, is how can these traits be developed?

That question leads directly to the influence of one's environment on his or her ability to perform creatively. Most often we think of the environment that will nurture creative behavior as one that is supportive of the individual. Support here is not false praise, but rather honest support that dignifies the individual. Environmental support allows mistakes and encourages experimentation, openness, and risk taking. It provides a climate for one to explore his or her potential.

Is it always the warm nest, though, that evokes creative behavior? In initial exposure, perhaps it is. But extreme human suffering, which necessitates the need for expression into a creative product, is often grist for the mill for later on. Some of the world's greatest literature evolved in times of human crisis. And the saying "Necessity is the mother of invention" is not goes through in creating is the same for all people, while others think there are as many creative processes as there are individuals. With respect to personality traits, some insist creative people are born, not made; others feel strongly that creative thinking can be taught. Advocates of environmental factors that nurture creative behavior are strong in their beliefs; their adversaries feel the creative person will perform regardless of the environment he or she is placed in.