title: Predicting creativity: the role of psychometric schizotypy and cannabis use in divergent thinking.
abstract: Evidence suggests that divergent thinking (DT), a measure of creativity, is associated with positive schizotypy and cannabis use. Given the high rates of cannabis use among those with schizotypy, it is unclear if the relation of DT to schizotypy is due to co-occurring cannabis use. In this study, we examined the relations between DT, schizotypy, and cannabis use among positive schizotypy (n=66), negative schizotypy (n=22), and non-schizotypy (n=60) groups. Results revealed that DT was greater in the positive schizotypy group, on the order of small to medium effects, compared to negative and non-schizotypy groups. Cannabis use and DT were associated in the non-schizotypy group, but not in the positive or negative schizotypy groups. Across all groups, positive schizotypy significantly predicted DT; however, cannabis use was not a significant predictor of DT. In line with previous findings, cannabis use and DT were only related in individuals low in creativity. This suggests that a ceiling effect may be present, with only cannabis users who are low in creativity receiving any increase in DT. Future research should aim to clarify the DT-cannabis relationship.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Indiana University Purdue University- Indianapolis, 402 N. Blackford, LD120C, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States. Electronic address: ksminor@iupui.edu.
authors.forename: Kyle S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Minor
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Indiana University Purdue University- Indianapolis, 402 N. Blackford, LD120C, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States.
authors.forename: Ruth L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Firmin
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Indiana University Purdue University- Indianapolis, 402 N. Blackford, LD120C, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States.
authors.forename: Kelsey A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Bonfils
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, United States.
authors.forename: Charlotte A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States.
authors.forename: Julia D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Buckner
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States.
authors.forename: Alex S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D003405:Creativity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D011594:Psychometrics; D012569:Schizotypal Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D013850:Thinking
keywords: Cannabis; Creativity; Divergent thinking; Schizophrenia-spectrum; Schizotypy