The creative spark of death: The effects of mortality salience and personal need for structure on creativity

Previous research indicates that the awareness of death can be a barrier to creative expression. Specifically, when mortality
is rendered salient, creativity is inhibited. However, no studies have considered how individual differences may impact the
effect of mortality salience on creativity. Past research has found that mortality salience increases explorative thought
processes for individuals low in personal need for structure. Thus, for these people, mortality salience may increase, not
decrease, creativity. The current study examined this possibility. Personal need for structure was measured, mortality salience
was experimentally manipulated, and creativity was assessed. As predicted, mortality salience increased creativity amongst
individuals low in personal need for structure. No effect of mortality salience was observed amongst individuals high in personal
need for structure.