Are creative people more intelligent?

On average, yes – there is a positive correlation. But above roughly IQ 120 the link weakens: among highly intelligent people, other factors like motivation, persistence and openness determine who is creative.

Is creativity measurable?

Yes. The Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) are the most widely used instrument. They score fluency, flexibility, originality and elaboration on open-ended tasks.

Can creativity be trained?

Divergent thinking improves with practice – brainstorming, deliberate exposure to new ideas, and constraints that force novel solutions all help.

BackgroundPublished July 20, 20265 min read

Creativity and Intelligence: How Are They Connected?

Creativity and IQ correlate up to a threshold and then diverge. Here's how creativity is measured and what research says about the link.

Is creativity the same as high intelligence? The short answer: there is a link – but it is not linear.

What creativity is

Creativity is usually defined as the ability to produce something both novel and useful. Psychologist J.P. Guilford distinguished convergent thinking (finding the right answer – what IQ tests measure) from divergent thinking (generating many possible answers).

The threshold effect

Classic research suggested a threshold effect: up to about IQ 120, intelligence and creativity correlate strongly, but above that the link weakens. Some intellectual base is needed for creativity, but above the threshold other factors dominate. See our IQ scale.

How creativity is measured

The TTCT is the most used tool. Responses are scored on fluency, flexibility, originality and elaboration. See also Gardner's theory.

Test yourself

Curious where you'd land? Take our free online IQ test – no sign-up required.

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FAQ

Are creative people more intelligent?: On average, yes – there is a positive correlation. But above roughly IQ 120 the link weakens: among highly intelligent people, other factors like motivation, persistence and openness determine who is creative.
Is creativity measurable?: Yes. The Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) are the most widely used instrument. They score fluency, flexibility, originality and elaboration on open-ended tasks.
Can creativity be trained?: Divergent thinking improves with practice – brainstorming, deliberate exposure to new ideas, and constraints that force novel solutions all help.