Antisocial creativity in scam: psychological and criminology approaches

Abstract

Creativity is traditionally associated with positive adaptation and social progress. However, recent research highlights the existence of a particular form of creativity, oriented towards the violation of moral and legal norms, called antisocial creativity. The purpose of this article is to analyze antisocial creativity in the context of criminal behavior, by integrating contemporary criminological perspectives. Theoretical analysis indicates that this form of creativity does not represent an absence of creative potential, but an axiological reorientation of it, determined by the structure of the antisocial personality and by experiences of deficient socialization. In this context, fraud is a form of crime in which antisocial creativity plays an essential role. It is distinguished from violent crimes by the fact that it relies less on impulsivity and more on planning, adaptability and flexible thinking. Creativity is used as a strategic means of manipulating and misleading victims, facilitating the development and success of the criminal act.