1. Psychoticism Scores Derived from Sentence Completions Correlate with Creativity
Stephen P. Joy, Ph.D. Emili Dubar, B.A.
Albertus Magnus College
Abstract
Results
Personality traits (Extraversion, Neuroticism, and Psychoticism) can be measured reliably using the Rotter Incomplete Sentences Blank (RISB). Self-reported Psychoticism has often been associated with creativity. We examined whether this holds true for RISB-derived scores in an undergraduate sample (N = 45) who completed a series of drawings in colored pencil. RISB Psychoticism correlated with both originality and judged creativity. Neither Extraversion nor Neuroticism did so. Results support the validity of the RISB-derived scores and the association between Psychoticism and creativity.
As shown in Table 1, RISB-rated Psychoticism correlated significantly with an unusual choice of a human-made artifact and with the originality composite, though not with unusual life form or human renderings. Extraversion actually displayed a negative relationship with some originality measures. Neuroticism was essentially unrelated to originality or creativity..
RISB-rated Psychoticism also correlated significantly with the judged creativity of the drawings (with a strong trend in the same direction on proficiency). Extraversion correlated negatively with judged proficiency but was unrelated to creativity. Neuroticism was not correlated with either judgment.
Table 1
Correlations between RISB Personality Trait Scores and Originality/Creativity Measures
RISB Trait Scales
Art Rating Psychoticism Extraversion Neuroticism
Unusual Artifact .56** -.42** .24
Unusual Life Form
Unusual Human
Originality Composite .35* -.38* .26+
Judged Proficiency * .21
Judged Creativity .29*
 + = p<.10; * p<.05; ** p<.01
Introduction
The Rotter Incomplete Sentences Blank (RISB; Rotter, Lah, & Rafferty, 1992) is a popular semi-projective personality measure. We have previously introduced new scoring systems by which the “Big 3” personality traits in Hans J. Eysenck’s P-E-N model can be measured using RISB protocols.
Psychoticism (“P”) involves a cold, callous, impersonal approach to life, competitiveness, aggression, antisocial attitudes, and sometimes thought disorder or psychotic-like experiences. It also has been linked with creativity. Eysenck (1995) developed a theoretical framework emphasizing overinclusive thinking to explain this finding. Meta-analyses confirm that artists and scientists tend to be high in P (Feist, 1998) and that P correlates with some creativity measures (mean r = .16, but higher when uniqueness is the criterion; Acar & Runco, 2012).
We wanted to establish whether RISB ratings of trait Psychoticism also correlate with creativity. This is a test of the construct validity of the new scoring system.
Method
A sample of undergraduates (n = 45) completed the RISB, which consists of 40 stems to which test-takers are instructed to write completions expressing their true feelings.
They also completed a series of 3 drawings rendered on 9x12 inch drawing paper using sets of 12 colored pencils. The first drawing was to be “something made by people;” the second, “something living, other than a human being;” the third, “a person – a whole person, just not a stick figure.”
The RISB protocols were scored by independent judges using the author’s Manual. The reliabilities (intraclass correlation coefficients) of the averaged ratings were .92 (P), .94 (E), and .94 (N).
The drawings were evaluated in two ways. First, an originality score was derived based on unusual (vs. common) features. For example, cars and houses were common choices for the artifact drawing; bridges and computers, less so; only one student drew a plow. Second, two graduate students in art therapy rated the drawings for (a) technical proficiency (ICC = .84) and (b) creativity (ICC = 77) using 7-point likert-type scales.
Sample RISB Protocol: Male, Age 35
I like… occasional moments of solitude I suffer… from addiction to leisure
The happiest time… is alone with my son I failed… at not enjoying myself as I should of
I want to know… why people are so selfish Reading… relaxes me
and thoughtless My mind… is at its best when blank
Back home… I can relax without consequences The future… is for losers
I regret… nothing I need… more time at home
At bedtime… I like it dark and cool Marriage… finally feels good
Men… tend not to hold grudges I am best when… I have to be
The best… vacations aren’t time restricted Sometimes… I get lost in the moment
What annoys me… is stupidity What pains me… is not seeing my son every day
People… tend to think with their mouths open I hate… seeing what others see
A mother… is always a mother This school… has been a positive experience
I feel… I’m too much in demand I am very… content with my life
My greatest fear… is retiring too late The only trouble… is finding work interesting
In high school… I was very misunderstood I wish… things came easier
I can’t… find a lot of things I’ve put away My father… is a son-of-a-bitch
Sports… make me way too competitive I secretly… smoke cigars in the house
When I was a child… I wouldn’t shut up I… never thought I’d be this relaxed in life
My nerves… don’t exist Dancing… for me is comedy
Other people… often don’t understand me My greatest worry is… not enjoying the moment
Most women… confuse me
RISB Trait Scores Art Ratings
Psychoticism: 7 (High Average*) Originality: z = (above average)
Extraversion: -2 (Low) Technical Proficiency: 5.50 (High)
Neuroticism: 2 (Average) Creativity: 6.00 (High)
* “P” scores tend to decline with age; this man is older than most in our samples
Discussion
Trait Psychoticism rated based on RISB protocols correlated significantly with both the objectively scored originality and the judged creativity of student artwork. The originality finding is typical in this literature. The judged creativity finding is stronger than that usually found when self-report measures of P are used. This supports the construct validity of the RISB system for scoring P. More, it suggests that the sentence completion method may do a better job than the self-report method of measuring the aspect of P that links with creativity. Although self-report inventories dominate personality research at the present time, there are situations in which performance-based (or “projective”) tests are preferable. This may be one of them.
Sample Chromatic Drawings by Two Male Participants
The drawings on the left were produced
by the man who wrote the RISB protocol
on the left-side column of this poster.
It illustrates “High Psychoticism”
characteristics: originality, crudity,
humor, defiance, and unconventionality.
The drawings on the right,
which are much more conventional,
were produced by a “low P” participant.
STICIM
Min
Max M SD
Interdependence
2.29
6.00
4.57
0.93
Sexual Intimacy
3.40
4.93
0.95
Comfort Intimacy
1.43
5.86
4.16
1.23
Trust
3.25
4.53
0.92
Warmth Motivation
2.50
1.00
Sexual Desire
3.20
5.21
0.91
Trust Motivation
3.75
5.18
0.64
IC Overall
3.08
5.84
4.55
0.77
IM Overall
3.70
4.99
0.70
Graphic Indicators M SD
Colors
4.70
2.34
Warm Colors
2.45
1.59
DYR Overall
19.33
8.49
References
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