In this chapter we have proposed a view of creativity as a double-edged sword. On the one hand, a highly creative idea may bring fame and fortune to the creator, but over time, a highly creative idea also may cast a very long shadow. While some people manage to maintain their creativity over time, history is littered with examples of creative people who began their careers in the stratosphere and ended them in the bottle. Although
there is empirical and anecdotal evidence to support the view that creativity may constrain future achievement, there has been little research to identity the psychological mechanisms that explain these negative effects. We extended current research by proposing (a) cognitive, (b) affective, and (c) social processes that may mediate the link between past success and
creativity over time.