A recipe for success? Sustaining creativity among first-time creative producers.

Abstract

Sustaining creativity is difficult. We identify the conditions that determine repeat production of novelty among first-time producers, and the psychological mechanism transmitting their effects. Our theoretical model highlights that the novelty of a first production can lower the probability of creating a second production, particularly when the first production is bestowed with an award or recognition. This effect occurs primarily because individuals who win an award for a prior novel production experience a greater threat to their creative identity when anticipating having to produce follow-up novel work. We test our theoretical model in three studies: an archival study of first-time cookbook authors in the United Kingdom and two experiments. Our results provide some support for our theoretical model-award-winning producers of novel cookbooks (or ideas for them) are less likely to follow-up their initial production with a second one, largely because of the potential erosion to a person's creative identity that doing so may cause. Our findings highlight the intricacies of sustaining creativity over time and offer insights into why some producers abandon their creative efforts.

Recognition Killed the Radio Star? Recognition Orientations and Sustained Creativity After the Best New Artist Grammy Nomination

“…Paradoxically, groups that approach recognition with a need for more of it often doom themselves never to find it, while those that insulate themselves from recognition show that a group can continue to be particularly creative without changing the group’s composition. Finally, our work also contributes to recent heightened interest in what happens in the wake of creative recognition (e.g., Berg, 2022; Deichmann and Baer, 2022; Negro, Kovács, and Carroll, 2022) by expanding exploration of the outcomes of creative work. In particular, we highlight the importance of creative group members’ continued engagement with one another and the role of gratitude in the creative process.…”

“…Thus recognition for creativity should be a crowning achievement for creative groups. Yet closer scrutiny of recognition and what it represents to its recipients may reveal an experience that is not exclusively positive (Jensen and Kim, 2015; Deichmann and Baer, 2022).…”

Burning Out, Fading Away, and the Sophomore Slump: Critics’ versus Fans’ Ratings of Music Artists’ Album Quality over Time

“…But do similar changes occur over time or artistic careers regarding creative output quality in addition to just quantity? Artists who achieve some recognition for the quality of their debut work (a first novel, solo art show, debut album) and would like to continue their career are faced with the daunting task of producing a second work that is as good as or better than their first (Deichmann & Baer, 2023). Many artists' follow-up efforts fall short of their debut work's quality, which has been described as the "sophomore slump."…”