Exploring the Relationship Between Creativity and Self-Talk Among Sculptors and Painters

Abstract

This research explores the relationship between creativity and self-talk among sculptors and painters. Participants (N = 42) were recruited through the Visual Arts Department of Middle Tennessee State University and social media forums. Individuals involved in this study recently completed an artistic piece composed of clay, paint, or both. Creativity was measured based on artistic experience whether that was in the form of formal education or years of experience using either clay or paint. The participants completed an adapted version of the Self-Talk Scale (STS), which assessed the types and frequencies of self-talk that artists experienced when reflecting back on their most recent piece. Results from this study indicated that artists utilize various frequencies and types of self-talk when preparing, constructing, and presenting their art pieces. Specifically, more formal artistic classes correlated with less self-critical self-talk. This study found that self-managing self-talk occurred the most in the preparation stage, self-critical self-talk occurred the most in the construction stage, self-reinforcing self-talk occurred the most in the construction stage, and social-assessing self-talk occurred the most in the presentation stage. Implications for the significance of the relationship between self-talk and creativity are discussed in relation to the creative process and I provide recommendations for future research.