The link between dispositional pride and creative thinking depends on current mood

Pride has long been considered a characteristic of creative geniuses, but the link between pride and creative thinking has yet to be systematically examined. In Study 1, we found that authentic pride related positively, whereas hubristic pride related negatively to creative thinking, assessed using the Unusual Uses Task, a behavioral measure of creative thinking. In Study 2, we found that the relation between pride and creativity depends on current mood. Specifically, authentic pride was most strongly related to creativity in the happiness condition, whereas hubristic pride was most strongly related to creativity in the anger condition. We discuss implications for understanding the affective processes underlying creativity and the adaptive and maladaptive consequences of pride.

► Authentic pride is associated with higher levels of creativity.
► Hubristic pride is associated with lower levels of creativity.
► The relation between pride and creativity depends on the person’s mood.
► Happiness promotes the creativity of people higher in authentic pride.
► Anger promotes the creativity of people higher in hubristic pride.