Malevolent Creativity Graffiti Test—A New Measurement Method for Malevolent Creative Behavior

Abstract

This study introduces the malevolent creativity Graffiti test (MCGT), based on the Experimental Graffiti paradigm, as a measure of malevolent creative (MC) behavior. The malevolent creativity test (MCT) and the Malevolent Creativity Behavior Scale (MCBS) were used in two separate studies to assess the validity of the MCGT. Study 1 examined graffiti with a target of MC under two conditions: an imagined (MCGT1) and a recall (MCGT2) condition, involving 111 valid participants. Results revealed a significant positive correlation between MCGT1 and MCT, but no significant correlation with MCBS. MCGT2 showed no significant correlation with either MCT or MCBS. Study 2 explored graffiti without an MC target in a real competitive context (MCGT3) and graffiti with an MC target in a real provocative context (MCGT4), involving 126 valid participants. Both MCGT3 and MCGT4 demonstrated a significant positive correlation with MCBS. The associations between different types of MCGTs and established MC measures (i.e., MCT and MCBS) suggest that the MCGT holds promise as an effective tool for assessing MC behavior. This development of the MCGT addresses some limitations of current MC measurement methods and opens new avenues for research in malevolent creativity.