Unlocking unconventional pathways: How creativity may lead to unethical choices when wisdom takes a backseat

Existing research highlighted that creativity could yield both beneficial and detrimental outcomes. With the growing interest in the darker aspects of creativity, this study reviewed literature on both the positive and negative effects of creativity and proposed that the relationship between creativity and unethical decision-making was moderated by wisdom. Drawing on data from 266 individuals in the U.S. (via www.mturk.com) and 303 individuals in China (via wjx.cn), the study employed two of Kaptein's five-factor unethical behavior scenarios to assess unethical decision-making. Wisdom was measured using the 3-D Wisdom Scale developed by Ardelt, while creativity was assessed through a revised measure based on Runco's 4Ps framework. Findings indicated that wisdom played a pivotal role in mitigating the link between creativity and unethical decision-making. Furthermore, the study revealed that the role of wisdom differed between individualistic cultures, represented by the U.S., and collectivistic cultures, represented by China.