Date of Award
Spring 2011
Thesis Type
Rollins Access Only
Advisor(s)
Dr. Sharon L. Carnahan
Abstract
Even Sigmund Freud surrendered to the mysteries of artistic creativity, in famously concluding that psychoanalysis must lay down its arms before the “problem” of the creative artist. Whether of divine blessing or divine madness, this problem continues to baffle—and fascinate. Drawing from the work of various psychological theorists—especially Chessick, Gedo, Niederland, and Oremland—this brief paper (100+ pages) overviews artistic creativity through multiple psychological forces and environmental factors. Depression, narcissism, object relations, and sublimation are discussed, drawing from theorists such as Charles, Gut, Kohut, and Lachmann, among others. The paper concludes that stable personality-structure and healthy ego-functioning are most conducive to consistent, productive, and effective artistic work. Artists profiled include film director Alfred Hitchcock, record producer Phil Spector, and recording artist Brian Wilson.
Recommended Citation
Kubasta, Brent W., "Unwrapping the Gifts of Artistic Creativity" (2011). Master of Liberal Studies Theses. 10.
https://scholarship.rollins.edu/mls/10