I was thinking about this for a while and couldn't come up with the answer. I know that there isn't one correct answer, but I was curious to get everyone's opinions. Which type do you think on average is the most creative?
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Actually did a bit of impromptu research on this. A department of 18 artists where I worked (including me) all took the MBTI from Keirsey's book a little over 25 years ago. There was no pattern. If I remember correctly 15 of 16 types showed up and no type was repeated more than one time. I am absolutely sure that only one person had Keirsey's typical artist profile (ISFP). We were all degree holding artists working in a company producing training; there should have been a predominant cluster like there is for other professions (like elementary school teachers or programmers). But there wasn't. My conclusion is that MBTI factors do not correlate to creativity.
MBTI and artist
Actually did a bit of impromptu research on this. A department of 18 artists where I worked (including me) all took the MBTI from Keirsey's book a little over 25 years ago. There was no pattern. If I remember correctly 15 of 16 types showed up and no type was repeated more than one time. I am absolutely sure that only one person had Keirsey's typical artist profile (ISFP). We were all degree holding artists working in a company producing training; there should have been a predominant cluster like there is for other professions (like elementary school teachers or programmers). But there wasn't. My conclusion is that MBTI factors do not correlate to creativity.
Actually did a bit of impromptu research on this. A department of 18 artists where I worked (including me) all took the MBTI from Keirsey's book a little over 25 years ago. There was no pattern. If I remember correctly 15 of 16 types showed up and no type was repeated more than one time. I am absolutely sure that only one person had Keirsey's typical artist profile (ISFP). We were all degree holding artists working in a company producing training; there should have been a predominant cluster like there is for other professions (like elementary school teachers or programmers). But there wasn't. My conclusion is that MBTI factors do not correlate to creativity.
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As further described in this post, lots of data, from multiple studies (MBTI and Big Five both), have pretty consistently shown a relatively strong correlation between creativity and an N preference.
And if any single MBTI type deserves to be viewed as the quintessential "creative artist" type, I'd say it's probably the INFP.
And if any single MBTI type deserves to be viewed as the quintessential "creative artist" type, I'd say it's probably the INFP.
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I would want to believe that different types would naturally have a different approach to art. What were their incentives behind becoming artists in training? Is the concept of training other artists not arguably a paradox? I see art as being about self-expression. If that's the case, then how are you supposed to teach other people art? It's like telling them how to behave, the complete opposite of self-expression.
Rant over. Feel free to object to anything I've said.
I personally consider myself creative, and have an ESFJ friend whose creative side is not necessarily stronger, but it's far more exposed. I think possibly because he doesn't take his Ne as seriously as I do, he uses it more openly. He'll quickly call out "I have an idea!" at random intervals just about anytime we meet, usually about his fantasy comic world. ESFJs are stereotyped as preachers who constantly talk about what good people they are and never change their values (definitely not creative!). Only I've seen an ESFJ that could potentially make them take the crown.
The company produced training, the people were a mix of fine art, graphic design and art education (as far as degrees) and I would expect some clustering for professional visual artists. It was a shock that there wasn't any. If you read different research on MBTI and creativity you will get different answers as to what constitutes creativity. You will also get different answers for the kinds of profiles that creative people are suppose to have. For one it is ENTP for another ISFP, for a third it is INFJ. No consensus probably means no correlation.
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E
I can't help but think that this message isn't about creativity. Creativity, at least in my mind, is synonymous with originality. Were all of these visual artists original in their designs, or were they heavily inspired - or even copying? Once it gets to copying a style, that's hardly attributable to creativity.
Starting from the assumption that creativity depends by the idea that we have of creativity and it is not correllated to a stereotype - MBTI can only suggest whom type is much more predisposed to the creativity and NOT whom type is the creative and who's not - I think INFP, ISFP, INFJ (not in order) are the most induced to the "artistic creativity" (art, poetry, music...) because they have strong inner emotion which can't be easily relayed to outer world by the verbal communication without be misunderstood. The difference between INFx and ISFP is that S's are more concentrated to represent the sensoriality things of an emotion, when Ns are more focused on the idea that flows from emotions (or on the emotions themselves).
For example, my mother (ISFP) loves to see a good painting, colors, technique...I love all of these as well, but I'm (INFP) more focused on the "behind the scenes", the idea or the meaning of the same painting.
That's just my humble opinion, so it's obviovusly that it's all opinable.
roud:
For example, my mother (ISFP) loves to see a good painting, colors, technique...I love all of these as well, but I'm (INFP) more focused on the "behind the scenes", the idea or the meaning of the same painting.
That's just my humble opinion, so it's obviovusly that it's all opinable.
roud:Have an ISFP mom and she just likes the prettiness of my art. It annoys me a little, but whatever. ENTPs and art are incredibly idea-based. Lol, that is what makes art interesting for me and perhaps other Ns. However, I am also enamored by composition, light, and other properties/principles in art, and its production is always a fun way to test art theory.Starting from the assumption that creativity depends by the idea that we have of creativity and it is not correllated to a stereotype - MBTI can only suggest whom type is much more predisposed to the creativity and NOT whom type is the creative and who's not - I think INFP, ISFP, INFJ (not in order) are the most induced to the "artistic creativity" (art, poetry, music...) because they have strong inner emotion which can't be easily relayed to outer world by the verbal communication without be misunderstood. The difference between INFx and ISFP is that S's are more concentrated to represent the sensoriality things of an emotion, when Ns are more focused on the idea that flows from emotions (or on the emotions themselves).
For example, my mother (ISFP) loves to see a good painting, colors, technique...I love all of these as well, but I'm (INFP) more focused on the "behind the scenes", the idea or the meaning of the same painting.
That's just my humble opinion, so it's obviovusly that it's all opinable.
An ISFP with a good [often unmatched] taste for light and composition can create extremely creative work of art, while other, less inclined ISFPs tend to rely on pure aestheticism. ESFPs are also creative in the performances they give, despite their concrete nature. But the Ss tend to achieve more aestheticism when producing art. But is aestheticism creativity?
The INFP and INFJ, I imagine, have such better writing capabilities. Intuition and feeling are perfect for the written word. Though, I have also read some harrowing memoirs written by an ISFP [or at least I think he is/was].
I forget where, but on several studies across the UK, ENTPs + ISFPs were among the most common types represented in graphic design firms and enrollment in design schools to support. Just sayin' to support your argument.
How have these studied defined creativity? Such a subjective term.
As much as I HATE to just say that questions like these are too nebulous because "each type is x (intelligent, loyal, affectionate, charismatic WHATEVER) in their own special way", I have to here. Just waayyy too subjective, waaayyyy too many different forms.
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Others have already mentioned it - define what you mean by "creativity" first.
Many people think of creative artists when they hear "creativity". Even then, you'd probably need to distinguish between different artistic fields (performing arts, visual and fine arts, writing/poetry etc).
However, creativity is not just applicable to stereotypically "creative" professions. It's also a mental process, the ability to think outside the box, come up with new ideas, a nonlinear thinking ability, problem solving skills etc.
So what's it gonna be?
Many people think of creative artists when they hear "creativity". Even then, you'd probably need to distinguish between different artistic fields (performing arts, visual and fine arts, writing/poetry etc).
However, creativity is not just applicable to stereotypically "creative" professions. It's also a mental process, the ability to think outside the box, come up with new ideas, a nonlinear thinking ability, problem solving skills etc.
So what's it gonna be?
INFPs since they are the "dreamers"
The further you detach from reality, the more idealistic you become, the more creative you get.
The further you detach from reality, the more idealistic you become, the more creative you get.
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Stereotypically, the IXFP types with the ISFP's favouring more concrete art and the INFP going towards the abstract. I think writers are INFP, artists are ISFP.
But obviously, all types can be creative.
But obviously, all types can be creative.
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I work with an INFP and he is very good with visual art. If he has a part that he needs me to go get and he cannot describe it's features with words very well, he can easily draw a very accurate picture for me.. something I would never be able to do. I, as an INFJ, posses talents that he does not have at all such as pitch (music). I can replicate a melody and have music talent. Both are similar right? The image is first formed in the mind and then executed. But I cannot form a picture in my mind and then draw it. The image never forms accurately enough for me. That's why I can only draw abstact art work.
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