| Abstract: | Many people believe that the “mad genius” notion, which has been a favorite cultural fixture for centuries, is based on established scientific fact. Much of the evidence for the connection between great creativity and great pathology, particularly affective disorder, comes from the writings of psychiatrists Nancy Andreasen and Arnold K. Ludwig and psychologist Kay Redfield Jamison. For two decades, their studies and books have been widely referenced in both the popular and professional press without critique or comment and often without much detail, suggesting that few people have spent much time with the originals. This article examines their most influential works, encouraging readers to evaluate this evidence for themselves, because the author believes that many of their claims have had unfortunate implications for the perception of creativity and the credibility of psychological research in general. The author considers the inherent difficulties of generating any scientific findings in this area, and concludes by discussing the signs of a hopeful trend to celebrate, rather than pathologize, people with exceptional gifts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
