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Zioga I, Kenett YN, Giannopoulos A, Luft CDB. The role of alpha oscillations in free- and goal-directed semantic associations. Hum Brain Mapp 2024; 45:e26770. [PMID: 38970217 PMCID: PMC11226545 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Alpha oscillations are known to play a central role in several higher-order cognitive functions, especially selective attention, working memory, semantic memory, and creative thinking. Nonetheless, we still know very little about the role of alpha in the generation of more remote semantic associations, which is key to creative and semantic cognition. Furthermore, it remains unclear how these oscillations are shaped by the intention to "be creative," which is the case in most creativity tasks. We aimed to address these gaps in two experiments. In Experiment 1, we compared alpha oscillatory activity (using a method which distinguishes genuine oscillatory activity from transient events) during the generation of free associations which were more vs. less distant from a given concept. In Experiment 2, we replicated these findings and also compared alpha oscillatory activity when people were generating free associations versus associations with the instruction to be creative (i.e. goal-directed). We found that alpha was consistently higher during the generation of more distant semantic associations, in both experiments. This effect was widespread, involving areas in both left and right hemispheres. Importantly, the instruction to be creative seems to increase alpha phase synchronisation from left to right temporal brain areas, suggesting that intention to be creative changed the flux of information in the brain, likely reflecting an increase in top-down control of semantic search processes. We conclude that goal-directed generation of remote associations relies on top-down mechanisms compared to when associations are freely generated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Zioga
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviourRadboud UniversityNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Yoed N. Kenett
- Faculty of Data and Decision Sciences, Technion—Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
| | - Anastasios Giannopoulos
- School of Electrical and Computer EngineeringNational Technical University of Athens (NTUA) AthensAthensGreece
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2
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Bianchi I, Branchini E. Does Thinking in Opposites in Order to Think Differently Improve Creativity? J Intell 2023; 11:jintelligence11050085. [PMID: 37233334 DOI: 10.3390/jintelligence11050085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we focus on the link between thinking in opposites and creativity. Thinking in opposites requires an intuitive, productive strategy, which may enhance creativity. Given the importance of creativity for the well-being of individuals and society, finding new ways to enhance it represents a valuable goal in both professional and personal contexts. We discuss the body of evidence that exists concerning the importance of the first representation of the structure of a problem to be solved, which determines the baseline representation and sets limits on the area within which a problem solver will explore. We then review a variety of interventions described in the literature on creativity and insight problem solving that were designed to overcome fixedness and encourage people to move away from stereotypical solutions. Special attention is paid to the research carried out in the context of problem solving, which provides evidence that prompting people to "think in opposites" is beneficial. We suggest that an extended investigation of the effects of this strategy in various types of tasks related to creativity is an interesting line of research to follow. We discuss the rationale supporting this claim and identify specific questions, both theoretical and methodological, for future research to address.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Bianchi
- Department of Humanities (Section Philosophy and Human Sciences), University of Macerata, Via Garibaldi 20, 62100 Macerata, Italy
| | - Erika Branchini
- Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, Lungadige Porta Vittoria, 17, 37129 Verona, Italy
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3
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Yuan Y, Humphrey SE, van Knippenberg D. From individual creativity to team creativity: A meta‐analytic test of task moderators. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/joop.12380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Yuan
- Faculty of Economics and Business University of Groningen the Netherlands
| | - Stephen E. Humphrey
- Smeal College of Business Pennsylvania State University State College PA USA
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4
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Gerwig A, Miroshnik K, Forthmann B, Benedek M, Karwowski M, Holling H. The Relationship between Intelligence and Divergent Thinking-A Meta-Analytic Update. J Intell 2021; 9:jintelligence9020023. [PMID: 33923940 PMCID: PMC8167550 DOI: 10.3390/jintelligence9020023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper provides a meta-analytic update on the relationship between intelligence and divergent thinking (DT), as research on this topic has increased, and methods have diversified since Kim’s meta-analysis in 2005. A three-level meta-analysis was used to analyze 849 correlation coefficients from 112 studies with an overall N = 34,610. The overall effect showed a significant positive correlation of r = .25. This increase of the correlation as compared to Kim’s prior meta-analytic findings could be attributed to the correction of attenuation because a difference between effect sizes prior-Kim vs. post-Kim was non-significant. Different moderators such as scoring methods, instructional settings, intelligence facets, and task modality were tested together with theoretically relevant interactions between some of these factors. These moderation analyses showed that the intelligence–DT relationship can be higher (up to r = .31–.37) when employing test-like assessments coupled with be-creative instructions, and considering DT originality scores. The facet of intelligence (g vs. gf vs. gc) did not affect the correlation between intelligence and DT. Furthermore, we found two significant sample characteristics: (a) average sample age was positively associated with the intelligence–DT correlation, and (b) the intelligence–DT correlation decreased for samples with increasing percentages of females in the samples. Finally, inter-moderator correlations were checked to take potential confounding into account, and also publication bias was assessed. This meta-analysis provides a comprehensive picture of current research and possible research gaps. Theoretical implications, as well as recommendations for future research, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Gerwig
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (A.G.); (H.H.)
| | - Kirill Miroshnik
- Faculty of Psychology, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Boris Forthmann
- Institute of Psychology in Education, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Mathias Benedek
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - Maciej Karwowski
- Institute of Psychology, University of Wroclaw, 50-527 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Heinz Holling
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (A.G.); (H.H.)
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5
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Need something different? Here's what's been done: Effects of examples and task instructions on creative idea generation. Mem Cognit 2020; 48:226-243. [PMID: 31907862 DOI: 10.3758/s13421-019-01005-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Creative idea generation involves search and retrieval of memory. There is a default tendency to rely too heavily on familiar or easily accessible information during idea generation, especially in tasks such as the alternate uses task (AUT) that involve generating novel uses for common objects. Knowing which obvious ideas to avoid may be important in creating more original ideas. The present experiments tested whether instructions encouraging participants to avoid a set of common example ideas would enhance originality or cause fixation on the AUT. The results of Experiment 1 demonstrated that presenting a verbal list of common example uses along with a warning to avoid those uses enhanced originality. In contrast, when the example ideas were presented in the absence of any "avoid" instructions, there was no benefit on originality, indicating that mere example exposure did not stimulate more creative idea generation. The design of Experiment 2 was parallel to that of Experiment 1, but the verbal examples were replaced with visually depicted examples. Exposure to the visual examples led to reduced originality, suggesting fixation. Although the "avoid" instruction helped to mitigate this fixation, it did not enhance originality beyond the no-example condition. The results suggest that under some conditions presenting unoriginal examples along with an "avoid" warning can allow people to shift their focus away from easily retrieved ideas and toward more novel approaches. The results are also consistent with prior work showing a negative impact of visual presentation of examples on creativity.
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6
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Forthmann B, Bürkner PC, Szardenings C, Benedek M, Holling H. A New Perspective on the Multidimensionality of Divergent Thinking Tasks. Front Psychol 2019; 10:985. [PMID: 31130899 PMCID: PMC6509740 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In the presented work, a shift of perspective with respect to the dimensionality of divergent thinking (DT) tasks is introduced moving from the question of multidimensionality across DT scores (i.e., fluency, flexibility, or originality) to the question of multidimensionality within one holistic score of DT performance (i.e., snapshot ratings of creative quality). We apply IRTree models to test whether unidimensionality assumptions hold in different task instructions for snapshot scoring of DT tests across Likert-scale points and varying levels of fluency. It was found that evidence for unidimensionality across scale points was stronger with be-creative instructions as compared to be-fluent instructions which suggests better psychometric quality of ratings when be-creative instructions are used. In addition, creative quality latent variables pertaining to low-fluency and high-fluency ideational pools shared around 50% of variance which suggests both strong overlap, and evidence for differentiation. The presented approach allows to further examine the psychometric quality of subjective ratings and to examine new questions with respect to within-item multidimensionality in DT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Forthmann
- Institut für Psychologie, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Heinz Holling
- Institut für Psychologie, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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7
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Rataj K, Nazareth DS, van der Velde F. Use a Spoon as a Spade?: Changes in the Upper and Lower Alpha Bands in Evaluating Alternate Object Use. Front Psychol 2018; 9:1941. [PMID: 30405471 PMCID: PMC6206077 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous electrophysiological research on human creative cognition has related creative ideation to increased activity in the alpha band, an effect which mainly reflects increased general attentional demands. Research on alpha unrelated to creativity has revealed different functional roles of the upper (semantic processes) and lower (attentional processes) alpha sub-bands. At the same time, the need to dissect creative thinking into specific cognitive operations, such as, semantic processing, re-representation, or conceptual expansion has become evident. The main aim of the reported study was to test whether increased semantic processing demands linked to creating conceptual re-representations of objects required for evaluating alternate uses modulate activity in the upper and/or lower alpha sub-bands. For this purpose, we performed an alternate use evaluation task (AUeT), in which participants saw word pairs representing common uses, alternate uses, and unrelated word pairs, and evaluated whether a given use was common or uncommon (question 1), and how usable it was (question 2). Such an approach allowed us to examine the time-course of semantic processing involved in evaluating alternate uses. Additionally, the results could be contrasted with event-related potential (ERP) studies on creative language and semantic processing. We assumed that demands related to access and integration of semantic information needed to create a re-representation of objects (alternate uses) would be larger than in the case of common uses, which do not require creating a re-representation. This should be reflected in more activity in the alpha band in response to alternate than common uses, which was observed in the analysis of the upper alpha band over parieto-occipital sites. In the lower alpha band, more activity over the left than right anterior sites was observed for alternate uses, which might reflect increased attentional demands. Additionally, in the ERP analysis, alternate uses evoked larger N400 (400–500 ms) amplitudes than common uses, a pattern that extended to later time windows (500–1,000 ms). Overall, the results indicate increased semantic processing demands in alternate use evaluation, possibly linked to the creation of conceptual re-representations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Rataj
- Department of Psycholinguistic Studies, Faculty of English, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland.,Department of Cognitive Psychology and Ergonomics, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Deniece S Nazareth
- Department of Cognitive Psychology and Ergonomics, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands.,Department of Psychology, Health, and Technology, Human Media Interaction, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Frank van der Velde
- Department of Cognitive Psychology and Ergonomics, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
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8
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Wang P, Wijnants ML, Ritter SM. What Enables Novel Thoughts? The Temporal Structure of Associations and Its Relationship to Divergent Thinking. Front Psychol 2018; 9:1771. [PMID: 30319488 PMCID: PMC6167455 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the current study is to enhance our understanding of cognitive creativity, specifically divergent thinking, by employing an interdisciplinary methodological approach. By integrating methodology from computational linguistics and complex systems into creativity research, the current study aims to shed light on the relationship between divergent thinking and the temporal structure of semantic associations. In complex systems, temporal structures can be described on a continuum from random to flexible-stable and to persistent. Random structures are highly unpredictable, persistent structures are highly predictable, and flexible-stable structures are in-between, they are partly predictable from previous observations. Temporal structures of associations that are random (e.g., dog-graveyard-north pole) or persistent (e.g., dog-cat-rat) are hypothesized to be detrimental to divergent thinking. However, a flexible-stable structure (e.g., dog-police-drugs) is hypothesized to be related to enhanced divergent thinking (inverted-U). This notion was tested (N = 59) in an association chain task, combined with a frequently used measure of divergent thinking (i.e., Alternative Uses Test). Latent Semantic Analysis from computational linguistics was used to quantify the associations, and methods from complex systems in form of Power Spectral Density analysis and detrended fluctuation analysis were used to estimate the temporal structure of those associations. Although the current study does not confirm that a flexible-stable (vs. random/persistent) temporal structure of associations is related to enhanced divergent thinking skills, it hopefully challenges fellow researchers to refine the recent methodological developments for assessing the (temporal) structure of associations. Moreover, the current cross-fertilization of methodological approaches may inspire creativity researchers to take advantage of other fields' ideas and methods. To derive a theoretically sound cognitive theory of creativity, it is important to integrate research ideas and empirical methods from a variety of disciplines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Wang
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Maarten L Wijnants
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Simone M Ritter
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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9
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McCarthy M, Chen CC, McNamee RC. Novelty and Usefulness Trade-Off: Cultural Cognitive Differences and Creative Idea Evaluation. JOURNAL OF CROSS-CULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/0022022116680479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Creativity and innovation have become critical organizational capabilities in today’s global environment, and leveraging creative potential of employees across various cultural contexts has become increasingly important. Although recognized among researchers, cross-cultural differences in creativity are not yet well understood. We contribute to this line of research by constructing a theoretical model that focuses on cultural differences in cognition (i.e., holistic vs. analytic thinking) that affect the evaluation of creative ideas. The cultural cognition perspective allows us to theorize about the interrelationship between an idea’s novelty and its usefulness. We propose that to the extent there is a trade-off between an idea’s novelty and usefulness, cultural differences in cognition will systematically influence the trade-off relationship such that Easterners will perceive a stronger trade-off between novelty and usefulness as compared with their Western counterparts. Such effects of cultural cognition, however, can be reduced by contextual factors of multicultural exposure, cognitive team diversity, and organizational climate for innovation. Our cultural cognition perspective complements the extant cultural value and social norms perspectives on cross-cultural differences in creativity and innovation.
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10
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Weinberger AB, Green AE, Chrysikou EG. Using Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to Enhance Creative Cognition: Interactions between Task, Polarity, and Stimulation Site. Front Hum Neurosci 2017; 11:246. [PMID: 28559804 PMCID: PMC5432551 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Creative cognition is frequently described as involving two primary processes, idea generation and idea selection. A growing body of research has used transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to examine the neural mechanisms implicated in each of these processes. This literature has yielded a diverse set of findings that vary depending on the location and type (anodal, cathodal, or both) of electrical stimulation employed, as well as the task's reliance on idea generation or idea selection. As a result, understanding the interactions between stimulation site, polarity and task demands is required to evaluate the potential of tDCS to enhance creative performance. Here, we review tDCS designs that have elicited reliable and dissociable enhancements for creative cognition. Cathodal stimulation over the left inferior frontotemporal cortex has been associated with improvements on tasks that rely primarily on idea generation, whereas anodal tDCS over left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and frontopolar cortex has been shown to augment performance on tasks that impose high demands on creative idea selection. These results highlight the functional selectivity of tDCS for different components of creative thinking and confirm the dissociable contributions of left dorsal and inferior lateral frontotemporal cortex for different creativity tasks. We discuss promising avenues for future research that can advance our understanding of the effectiveness of tDCS as a method to enhance creative cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adam E Green
- Department of Psychology, Georgetown UniversityWashington, DC, USA
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11
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Green AE, Spiegel KA, Giangrande EJ, Weinberger AB, Gallagher NM, Turkeltaub PE. Thinking Cap Plus Thinking Zap: tDCS of Frontopolar Cortex Improves Creative Analogical Reasoning and Facilitates Conscious Augmentation of State Creativity in Verb Generation. Cereb Cortex 2017; 27:2628-2639. [PMID: 27075035 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhw080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent neuroimaging evidence indicates neural mechanisms that support transient improvements in creative performance (augmented state creativity) in response to cognitive interventions (creativity cueing). Separately, neural interventions via tDCS show encouraging potential for modulating neuronal function during creative performance. If cognitive and neural interventions are separately effective, can they be combined? Does state creativity augmentation represent "real" creativity, or do interventions simply yield divergence by diminishing meaningfulness/appropriateness? Can augmenting state creativity bolster creative reasoning that supports innovation, particularly analogical reasoning? To address these questions, we combined tDCS with creativity cueing. Testing a regionally specific hypothesis from neuroimaging, high-definition tDCS-targeted frontopolar cortex activity recently shown to predict state creativity augmentation. In a novel analogy finding task, participants under tDCS formulated substantially more creative analogical connections in a large matrix search space (creativity indexed via latent semantic analysis). Critically, increased analogical creativity was not due to diminished accuracy in discerning valid analogies, indicating "real" creativity rather than inappropriate divergence. A simpler relational creativity paradigm (modified verb generation) revealed a tDCS-by-cue interaction; tDCS further enhanced creativity cue-related increases in semantic distance. Findings point to the potential of noninvasive neuromodulation to enhance creative relational cognition, including augmentation of the deliberate effort to formulate connections between distant concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam E Green
- Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Evan J Giangrande
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Adam B Weinberger
- Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Peter E Turkeltaub
- Department of Neurology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.,Research Division, MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
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12
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Forthmann B, Wilken A, Doebler P, Holling H. Strategy Induction Enhances Creativity in Figural Divergent Thinking. JOURNAL OF CREATIVE BEHAVIOR 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/jocb.159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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13
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Abstract
The present cross-cultural study examined the relationship between deductive reasoning and creativity among college students ( M age = 20.4 yr., SD=.6) from Hong Kong ( n = 39) and the United States ( n = 38). Participants performed tasks designed to measure deductive reasoning, creative writing, and insight problem-solving, all in verbal form. No correlation was found between the performance for deductive reasoning and creativity as measured by creative writing. Insight problem-solving performance correlated significantly with that for both reasoning and creativity. Significant cultural differences favoring the American participants were only found on the creative writing and insight problem-solving tasks, both of which supposedly involve creative thinking. There seems to be cultural dependence for creativity but not for deductive reasoning which suggests a qualification of a strong cultural-relevance view positing pervasive cultural influences on human thinking processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihua Niu
- Department of Psychology, Pace University, 41 Park Row, New York 10038, USA.
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14
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Di Mascio R, Kalyuga S, Sweller J. The Effect of Wording and Placement of Task Instructions on Problem‐Solving Creativity. JOURNAL OF CREATIVE BEHAVIOR 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/jocb.157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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15
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The be-creative effect in divergent thinking: The interplay of instruction and object frequency. INTELLIGENCE 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intell.2016.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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16
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Weinberger AB, Iyer H, Green AE. Conscious Augmentation of Creative State Enhances "Real" Creativity in Open-Ended Analogical Reasoning. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150773. [PMID: 26959821 PMCID: PMC4784911 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans have an impressive ability to augment their creative state (i.e., to consciously try and succeed at thinking more creatively). Though this “thinking cap” phenomenon is commonly experienced, the range of its potential has not been fully explored by creativity research, which has often focused instead on creativity as a trait. A key question concerns the extent to which conscious augmentation of state creativity can improve creative reasoning. Although artistic creativity is also of great interest, it is creative reasoning that frequently leads to innovative advances in science and industry. Here, we studied state creativity in analogical reasoning, a form of relational reasoning that spans the conceptual divide between intelligence and creativity and is a core mechanism for creative innovation. Participants performed a novel Analogy Finding Task paradigm in which they sought valid analogical connections in a matrix of word-pairs. An explicit creativity cue elicited formation of substantially more creative analogical connections (measured via latent semantic analysis). Critically, the increase in creative analogy formation was not due to a generally more liberal criterion for analogy formation (that is, it appeared to reflect “real” creativity rather than divergence at the expense of appropriateness). The use of an online sample provided evidence that state creativity augmentation can be successfully elicited by remote cuing in an online environment. Analysis of an intelligence measure provided preliminary indication that the influential “threshold hypothesis,” which has been proposed to characterize the relationship between intelligence and trait creativity, may be extensible to the new domain of state creativity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam B Weinberger
- Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, Washington DC, United States of America
| | - Hari Iyer
- Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, Washington DC, United States of America
| | - Adam E Green
- Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, Washington DC, United States of America
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17
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Green AE, Cohen MS, Raab HA, Yedibalian CG, Gray JR. Frontopolar activity and connectivity support dynamic conscious augmentation of creative state. Hum Brain Mapp 2014; 36:923-34. [PMID: 25394198 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.22676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Revised: 09/15/2014] [Accepted: 10/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
No ability is more valued in the modern innovation-fueled economy than thinking creatively on demand, and the "thinking cap" capacity to augment state creativity (i.e., to try and succeed at thinking more creatively) is of broad importance for education and a rich mental life. Although brain-based creativity research has focused on static individual differences in trait creativity, less is known about changes in creative state within an individual. How does the brain augment state creativity when creative thinking is required? Can augmented creative state be consciously engaged and disengaged dynamically across time? Using a novel "thin slice" creativity paradigm in 55 fMRI participants performing verb-generation, we successfully cued large, conscious, short-duration increases in state creativity, indexed quantitatively by a measure of semantic distance derived via latent semantic analysis. A region of left frontopolar cortex, previously associated with creative integration of semantic information, exhibited increased activity and functional connectivity to anterior cingulate gyrus and right frontopolar cortex during cued augmentation of state creativity. Individual differences in the extent of increased activity in this region predicted individual differences in the extent to which participants were able to successfully augment state creative performance after accounting for trait creativity and intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam E Green
- Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
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18
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Abstract
We investigated the hypothesis that individual differences in creative cognition can be manifest even in brief responses, such as single-word utterances. Participants (n = 193) were instructed to say a verb upon seeing a noun displayed on a computer screen and were cued to respond creatively to half of the nouns. For every noun-verb pair (72 pairs per subject), we assessed the semantic distance between the noun and the verb, using latent semantic analysis (LSA). Semantic distance was higher in the cued ("creative") condition than the uncued condition, within subjects. Critically, between subjects, semantic distance in the cued condition had a strong relationship to a creativity factor derived from a battery of verbal, nonverbal, and achievement-based creativity measures (β= .50), and this relation remained when controlling for intelligence and personality. The data show that creative cognition can be assessed reliably and validly from such thin slices of behavior.
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19
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One Size Does Not Fit All: Managing Radical and Incremental Creativity. JOURNAL OF CREATIVE BEHAVIOR 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/jocb.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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21
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Glăveanu VP. Habitual Creativity: Revising Habit, Reconceptualizing Creativity. REVIEW OF GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY 2012. [DOI: 10.1037/a0026611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Current psychological scholarship is based on a dichotomy between habit, associated with automatic reflex behavior, and creativity, which involves deliberation, purpose and heuristic procedures. However, this account is problematic and contradicts everyday experience where mastery, for instance, is one of the highest levels of creative performance achieved within a habitual practice. This article argues that such a separation misrepresents both habit and creativity with important theoretical and practical consequences. A first step toward reconciling the two terms is made by revisiting a series of foundational strands of theory from psychology and related disciplines. In light of these sources, habit is reformulated as a social, situated, and open system, and habitual creativity defined as the intrinsically creative nature of customary action, reflected in the way habits adjust to dynamic contexts, the way they are used, combined, and ultimately perfected. Further distinctions are then made between habit, improvisation, and innovation. Both improvisational and innovative creativity are embedded in habitual forms and this is well illustrated by craftwork: a practiced type of activity on the basis of which artisans improvise, whenever obstacles or difficulties are encountered, and even get to innovate when their intention is to generate novel artifacts or work techniques.
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Leung K, Chen Z, Zhou F, Lim K. The role of relational orientation as measured by face and renqing in innovative behavior in China: An indigenous analysis. ASIA PACIFIC JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s10490-011-9277-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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KAUFMAN JAMESC, BAER JOHN, COLE JASONC. Expertise, Domains, and the Consensual Assessment Technique. JOURNAL OF CREATIVE BEHAVIOR 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/j.2162-6057.2009.tb01316.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Boundless Creativity: Evidence for the Domain Generality of Individual Differences in Creativity. JOURNAL OF CREATIVE BEHAVIOR 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/j.2162-6057.2006.tb01272.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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CHUA ROYYONGJOO, IYENGAR SHEENAS. Creativity as a Matter of Choice: Prior Experience and Task Instruction as Boundary Conditions for the Positive Effect of Choice on Creativity. JOURNAL OF CREATIVE BEHAVIOR 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/j.2162-6057.2008.tb01293.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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PAULUS PAULB, KOHN NICHOLASW, ARDITTI LAURENE. Effects of Quantity and Quality Instructions on Brainstorming. JOURNAL OF CREATIVE BEHAVIOR 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/j.2162-6057.2011.tb01083.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Litchfield RC, Fan J, Brown VR. Directing idea generation using brainstorming with specific novelty goals. MOTIVATION AND EMOTION 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s11031-011-9203-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Kaufman JC. Self-reported differences in creativity by ethnicity and gender. APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2006. [DOI: 10.1002/acp.1255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey Miller
- Department of Psychology, Logan Hall, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, Albuquerque, NM 87131-1161, USA
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