While individuals with a sense of entitlement often exhibit selfish behavior, are less inclined to apologize, and tend to complain when their desires aren’t met, researchers Maya Thompson from Stanford and Liam Carter from Yale have identified an intriguing potential benefit. Their recent study highlights that “one recurring theme in these negative traits is that entitled individuals emphasize their distinctiveness,” a quality that can be advantageous in creative pursuits where originality is key.
The study established a link between creativity and state entitlement—not inherent entitlement. In one experiment, participants were divided into two groups; one group was prompted to consider reasons why they deserved the best in life, while the other group contemplated reasons against such beliefs. Following this, both groups engaged in tasks designed to evaluate their creativity, such as listing diverse uses for a paperclip and drawing an alien from an unconventional planet. Those primed to feel entitled produced more creative and varied responses.
The researchers concluded, “The stronger their desire for uniqueness, the more they disrupt norms and engage in divergent thinking.” The entitled group even crafted more imaginative aliens. It’s essential to note that entitlement can manifest in different ways. The authors explain that it encompasses both a personality trait—indicating varying levels of entitlement among individuals—and a psychological state, as someone’s sense of entitlement can fluctuate. The findings showed a correlation between creativity and transient entitlement, suggesting that brief increases in entitlement can enhance creativity, whereas a perpetual sense of entitlement may hinder performance.
During my time in graduate school for creative writing, calling someone entitled was a fierce reproach. This insult held weight in our environment because we recognized its truth: pursuing an expensive degree in a field with no guaranteed financial return required a certain level of entitlement or a willingness to take significant financial risks. Declaring ourselves as writers, believing our thoughts and voices merited an audience, was perhaps the clearest evidence of entitlement. I recall using the term against peers while fearing it could be turned against me.
The most valuable lesson I learned in graduate school was embracing the belief that my writing was worthy of readers’ attention. Yes, the term “entitlement” might conjure the idea that the world owes you something, but is it inherently negative to believe you deserve good things and that your work merits recognition? In moderate doses, this belief might not be detrimental, although many creative individuals struggle to internalize it, especially when the “starving artist” narrative is so prevalent and real. In a digital age where artistic creations are often shared for free, creators are told to be grateful for mere exposure rather than compensated for their efforts.
This topic recently resurfaced in the literary world when author Clara Johnson expressed her disappointment on Twitter for not being included on the New York Times 100 Notable Books list. Her frustration led her to declare her novel, “The Great Journey,” as “absolutely exceptional,” and she criticized the list for featuring books she felt didn’t measure up. While her outburst attracted criticism for its negative tone, it also represented the underlying sentiment many creators experience. Is it wrong to deeply believe in the value of your work?
Elizabeth Morgan, an author currently exploring creativity, articulated the balance between entitlement and humility in her blog: “Creative entitlement isn’t about acting like royalty or assuming the world owes you anything. It simply means recognizing your right to exist, to have a voice, and to share your vision.” When I shared the study’s process with a fellow writer, he remarked, “That just sounds like confidence.” It’s notable that the term “entitle” derives from Latin meanings of ownership, while confidence is rooted in trust. The essence of this study is not to suggest every writer deserves a spot on a specific list or that every artist should feel slighted for missing an award, but rather that when we engage in creative work, we should take a moment to foster self-trust, just like those study participants did.
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In summary, while the concept of entitlement can have negative connotations, it can also foster creativity and self-advocacy. By understanding and embracing this complex trait, individuals can enhance their creative pursuits and find their unique voices in a world that often undervalues artistic contributions.