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20 - The Affective Benefits of Creative Activities

from Part IV - Emotions and Creative Products

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 February 2023

By
Eliana Grossman  and
Jennifer E. Drake
Edited by
Zorana Ivcevic ,
Jessica D. Hoffmann  and
James C. Kaufman
Zorana Ivcevic
Affiliation:
Yale University, Connecticut
Jessica D. Hoffmann
Affiliation:
Yale University, Connecticut
James C. Kaufman
Affiliation:
University of Connecticut
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Summary

Engaging in everyday creative activities improves affect, health, and well-being. In this chapter, we examine the affective benefits of both artistic and non-artistic creative activities and the emotion regulation strategies used to achieve these benefits. Considerably more research has examined the affective benefits of artistic than non-artistic activities. The existing studies reveal several distinct emotion regulation strategies used in creative activities – approach, avoidance, and self-development – with the use of these strategies differing by activity. The studies also reveal a clear difference in the affective goals for artistic versus non-artistic creative activities. Artistic activities are used to reduce negative affect whereas non-artistic activities are used to enhance or maintain positive affect. Further research is needed to determine whether this difference is genuine or an artifact of study design. Additional work is also needed to determine the underlying mechanisms accounting for how these activities improve affect and thereby regulate our emotions. We conclude with recommendations for further research in this area.

Keywords

affectemotion regulationcreativityartisticart
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Creativity and Emotions , pp. 376 - 393
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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