A Theoretical and Critical Examination on the Relationship between Creativity and Morality

The relationship between creativity and morality is not only a key theme in creative psychology and moral psychology but also a central issue regarding individual differences in creativity. Based on our well-described definitions of morality and creativity, the current work systemically assesses three main viewpoints on this issue, namely that there is a positive correlation between the two constructs, that there is no correlation between the two constructs, and that there is a negative correlation between the two constructs, through reviewing studies scattered across multiple disciplines. We then draw an evidence-based conclusion that a positive association exists between creativity and morality by critically examining and integrating relevant empirical studies. We also discuss the potential implications of these findings for integrative training and for the fostering of creativity and morality in conjunction with several future research directions.