Creative types – musicians, painters, writers – are often considered a troubled and difficult group, but research has shown that at least one subsection of the artistic community has figured out the trick to staying balanced.
A survey of magicians around the world, led by Aberystwyth University psychology department suggests that illusionists may be less prone to mental health problems than other creatives and the general population.
The research, published on Wednesday in the journal BJPsych Openmeasured psychopathological characteristics of nearly 200 magicians and compared the results with data from other artistic groups and the general population.
It concluded that magicians scored significantly lower than other types of creatives and ‘normal’ people. Despite their work involving the illusion of delving into mystery, magicians were less likely to have unusual experiences such as hallucinations or cognitive disorganization, the study found.
Gil Greengrosswho led the study, said this was the first study to show that a creative group scored lower on psychotic traits than the general population.
He said: “Our research shows that magicians do not exhibit higher levels of mental illness. The results show that the association between creativity and psychopathology is more complex than previously thought.”
Greengross said magicians scored low on “impulsive nonconformity,” a trait associated with antisocial behavior and lower self-control. “This quality is valuable to many creative groups, such as writers, poets and comedians, whose actions are often edgy and challenge conventional wisdom. Magicians can be just as innovative and push the boundaries. However, many magicians perform well-known tricks or variations without feeling the need to innovate.”
The mages were recruited with help from groups including the Magic Circle in Great Britainthe Association of American Magicians And the International Brotherhood of Magicians. The participants ranged in age from late teens to 90 years old.
Sara Crasson, a New York magician who worked on the study, said there were reasons why magicians could be more balanced. “One of the things we often do when we meet is share our origin story: how did we get into this art? It is very common for male magicians in particular to start practicing magic between the ages of eight and fourteen to somehow overcome a social deficit. Maybe if they can show the bully a cool trick, the bully won’t beat them up.”
Magic was a way to gain “positive social status and attention,” she said. “It often helps to overcome a lack of social skills. It gives you confidence and can really build you up and help you overcome problems. I think magic helps.”
The study suggests that the mental health profiles of magicians are similar to those of mathematicians and scientists. Crasson said that precision was an important part of magic. “There is a lot of precision in the execution of a piece. When you watch a top magician perform, in every movement, in every word, there is meaning and thought.”
Crasson works with a stuffed bear named Bamberg in her act, but said there was a lot of human collaboration when it came to magic. “It’s something we’re passionate about. Although we are competitors, we are also good friends. There are people I would compete with for a gig, but I’ll also say, ‘Hey, I’m working on this, what do you think?’ And they will give me ideas and I will give them ideas. It’s a great community.
“My grandfather was a dentist and my father, who was also a magician, liked to say that the other dentists did not want to share their methods of bonding teeth. But I’ve gone to artists and said, ‘I loved what you did. Can you teach me something about that?’ and they say, ‘Absolutely, this is how you do it, you have my blessing.’ That kind of embrace is really powerful.”