Dark Creativity: How People Get Good Ideas to Do Bad Things

Nov 25, 2025

In a captivating dialogue, Dr. Hansika Kapoor, a creativity researcher from Mumbai, delves into the intriguing realm of dark creativity. She discusses how the same cognitive pathways that fuel groundbreaking ideas can also lead to harmful acts. The conversation explores the neuroscience of lying, moral versus creative cognition, and how cultural factors shape these processes. Kapoor also touches on the 'art bias', how 'jugaad' exemplifies resourceful problem-solving, and offers practical insights into fostering creativity and navigating ethical dilemmas.

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INSIGHT

Creativity Is Amoral

Creativity is amoral and blind to ends; it can serve good or harmful goals.
Dark creativity studies how people get good ideas to do bad things.

ANECDOTE

Common Everyday Examples

Cheating on tests or hiding an affair are everyday examples of dark creativity.
These show originality can be used to harm individuals or gain selfish advantage.

INSIGHT

Brain Patterns Are Becoming Visible

Neural differences between dark and bright creativity are still unclear but emerging.
Recent EEG work (2024–2025) begins to reveal distinguishable brainwave patterns for dark thinking.

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In this episode of The Science of Creativity, Keith Sawyer talks with Dr. Hansika Kapoor about the psychology of dark creativity — how the same cognitive processes that generate brilliant ideas can also lead to deception, manipulation, or harm. Kapoor explains that creativity itself is amoral: it can be directed toward good or bad outcomes depending on intent and context. Their conversation spans the neuroscience of lying, the overlap between moral and creative cognition, and the role of cultural factors in shaping creative expression. They also discuss recent findings on the "art bias," on using creativity tests in college admissions, and about the cultural practice of jugard in Indian culture.

Dr. Kapoor has been a Research Author at the Department of Psychology, Monk Prayogshala, Mumbai since July 2011. Monk Prayogshala is an independent not-for-profit academic research institute, striving to improve the academic research environment in India, starting with the social sciences. She is also an Affiliate at the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut.

Her work has been published in several international peer-reviewed academic journals, such as Creativity Research Journal, Thinking Skills and Creativity, and Personality and Individual Differences (here's her CV). She also regularly contribute to popular media publications, including Psychology Today, Mint, and The Wire (complete list).

Key topics include:

• The concept of dark creativity and its ethical implications • Creativity, deception, and moral reasoning in the brain • Cultural perspectives on creativity in India and the idea of jugard • Creativity as a predictor of educational success • The "art bias" and everyday creativity

For additional information:

Dr. Kapoor's web site

Dr. Kapoor's Psychology Today blog

Music by license from SoundStripe:

"Uptown Lovers Instrumental" by AFTERNOONZ
"Miss Missy" by AFTERNOONZ
"What's the Big Deal" by Ryan Saranich