Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

1-2024

Abstract

Introduction: Research on the link between affect and creativity rests on the assumption that creativity unfolds as a stimulus-driven response to affective states. We challenge this assumption and examine whether personality dynamics moderate the relationship of positive and negative mood with creativity.Theoretical Model: According to our model, personality dynamics that generate and maintain positive affect and down-regulate negative affect energize creativity. Based on this model, we expect high creativity in response to negative mood if people engage in self-motivation and achieve a reduction in negative mood. We further derive that individual differences in action versus state orientation moderate the within-person relationship between mood and creativity.Method: We conducted an experience-sampling study and examined the relationship between mood and creativity in everyday work-life. Two-hundred-and-ten participants indicated their action-state orientation and reported their mood three times a day over five consecutive workdays. At noon of each day, we assessed self-motivation and in the evening the extent to which participants had generated novel and useful ideas during the day.Results: We observed high creativity when negative mood declined and self-motivation was high. Action-state orientation moderated the within-person relationships of positive and negative mood with creativity.Conclusion: Personality dynamics determine whether positive and negative mood result in creativity.

Keywords

action-state orientation, affect, creativity, mood, motivation, PSI theory

Discipline

Applied Behavior Analysis | Cognition and Perception | Organizational Behavior and Theory

Research Areas

Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources

Publication

Journal of Personality

First Page

1

Last Page

15

ISSN

0022-3506

Identifier

10.1111/jopy.12913

Publisher

Wiley

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12913

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