Masked minds: The effects of wearing masks on malevolent creativity

This research provides the first empirical investigation into how embodied experiences influence malevolent creativity. While prior studies have linked embodiment to general creativity, the impact of specific bodily states—such as mask-wearing—on malevolent creativity remains unexplored. Across two between-subjects experiments (Experiment 1: N = 100; Experiment 2: N = 100), we examined the psychological mechanisms underlying this effect. Experiment 1 found that mask-wearing increased malevolent creativity by heightening perceived anonymity, with no effect on moral sensitivity. Experiment 2 demonstrated that the presence of others reduced anonymity and enhanced moral sensitivity among mask-wearers, thereby diminishing malevolent creativity. These findings extend embodied metaphor theory by showing that concrete bodily states can foster or inhibit unethical creativity, depending on contextual cues. Implications for public health practices and the psychological consequences of mask use are discussed.