Hyperactivity and creativity: The tacit dimension

Discriminant analysis was performed on the combined data from two previous studies of high-IQ children with attention disorder and hyperactivity. The variables that best discriminated these from normal children were left-sided laterality, the ability to perceive coherence tacitly, the use of incidentally acquired information, stimulation seeking, and the use of imagery in problem solving and in a creativity task. Regression analysis indicated that figural creativity is best predicted by the ability to perceive relationships tacitly, by good memory for pictured objects, and by verbal creativity. A model was proposed to help explain the functioning of intelligent and creative attention-disordered individuals.

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