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Fusi G, Giannì J, Borsa VM, Colautti L, Crepaldi M, Palmiero M, Garau F, Bonfiglio SN, Cao Y, Antonietti A, Penna MP, Rozzini L, Rusconi ML. Can Creativity and Cognitive Reserve Predict Psychological Well-Being in Older Adults? The Role of Divergent Thinking in Healthy Aging. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:303. [PMID: 38338188 PMCID: PMC10855052 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12030303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The maintenance of psychological well-being (PWB) in the older adult population is a pivotal goal for our rapidly aging society. PWB is a multicomponent construct that can be influenced by several factors in the lifespan. The beneficial role of divergent thinking (DT) and cognitive reserve (CR) in sustaining older subjects' PWB has been scarcely investigated so far. The present study aims to investigate the relationships between DT, CR, and PWB in a sample of 121 healthy older adults (61 females; M age: 73.39 ± 6.66 years; M education: 11.33 ± 4.81 years). The results highlight that better DT performance predicts higher CR, which mediates an indirect positive effect of DT on emotional competence, one of the PWB factors. It follows that DT and CR can be considered protective factors in aging, and their effects go beyond cognitive functioning, revealing a positive effect even on some PWB components. The practical implications regarding targeted health interventions for prevention in the older adult population to support well-being and promote healthy aging are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Fusi
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy; (J.G.); (V.M.B.); (M.C.); (M.L.R.)
| | - Jessica Giannì
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy; (J.G.); (V.M.B.); (M.C.); (M.L.R.)
| | - Virginia Maria Borsa
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy; (J.G.); (V.M.B.); (M.C.); (M.L.R.)
| | - Laura Colautti
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 20123 Milan, Italy; (L.C.); (A.A.)
| | - Maura Crepaldi
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy; (J.G.); (V.M.B.); (M.C.); (M.L.R.)
| | | | - Francesca Garau
- Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy; (F.G.); (S.N.B.); (Y.C.); (M.P.P.)
| | - Salvatore Natale Bonfiglio
- Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy; (F.G.); (S.N.B.); (Y.C.); (M.P.P.)
| | - Ylenia Cao
- Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy; (F.G.); (S.N.B.); (Y.C.); (M.P.P.)
| | - Alessandro Antonietti
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 20123 Milan, Italy; (L.C.); (A.A.)
| | - Maria Pietronilla Penna
- Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy; (F.G.); (S.N.B.); (Y.C.); (M.P.P.)
| | - Luca Rozzini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25136 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Maria Luisa Rusconi
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy; (J.G.); (V.M.B.); (M.C.); (M.L.R.)
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Colombo B, Fusi G, Christopher KB. The Effect of COVID-19 on Middle-Aged Adults' Mental Health: A Mixed-Method Case-Control Study on the Moderating Effect of Cognitive Reserve. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:163. [PMID: 38255053 PMCID: PMC10815714 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12020163] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the vulnerability of adults to mental health effects, and the study of protective factors has become crucial. Cognitive reserve (CR) is a well-known protective factor against cognitive decline and several health factors; however, its protective effect on mental health during the pandemic has been rarely addressed. Thus, this study explored, through a mixed-method design, the effect of CR on perceived distress and PTSD-like symptoms in middle-aged participants who have survived severe COVID-19 and a matched control group. A total of 432 participants filled out self-report measures of CR, PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and were also asked to provide narration about their COVID-19-related experience. COVID-19 significantly affected the chances of reporting different mental health symptoms; levels of CR played a protective role in reducing their severity. Moreover, adults with higher CR seemed to be more realistic, focusing less on positive emotions, and elaborating more on the sense of anxiety when describing their experience: this might be an indication of a lower use of suppression to regulate emotions. Practical implications of these findings and future directions have been also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Colombo
- Behavioral Neuroscience Lab, Champlain College, Burlington, VT 05401, USA
| | - Giulia Fusi
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy;
| | - Kenneth B. Christopher
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
- Division of Renal Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Watson B, Das A, Maguire S, Fleet G, Punamiya A. The little intervention that could: creative aging implies healthy aging among Canadian seniors. Aging Ment Health 2024; 28:307-318. [PMID: 37602435 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2023.2246416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Through a process of 'creative ageing', there is increased interest in how active participation in the arts can help promote health and well-being among seniors. However, few studies have quantitatively examined the benefits of a foray into artistic expression, and even fewer employ rigorous identification strategies. Addressing this knowledge gap, we use a series of quantitative techniques (ordinary least squares and quantile regression) to analyze the impact of an arts-based intervention targeting the elderly. METHODS Recruited from Saint John, New Brunswick (a city of about 125,000 people in Eastern Canada), 130 seniors were randomly assigned to the programme, with the remaining 122 serving as the control. This intervention consisted of weekly 2-h art sessions (i.e. drawing, painting, collage, clay-work, performance, sculpting, and mixed media), taking place from January 2020 until April 2021. RESULTS Relative to the control group, the intervention tended to reduce participant loneliness and depression, and improve their mental health. Outcomes were more evident toward the latter part of the programme, were increasing in attendance, and most efficacious among those with initially low levels of well-being. CONCLUSION These findings imply that creative ageing promotes healthy ageing, which is especially noteworthy given COVID-19 likely attenuated our results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alekhya Das
- University of New Brunswick, Saint John, Canada
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Colautti L, Borsa VM, Fusi G, Crepaldi M, Palmiero M, Garau F, Bonfiglio NS, Giannì J, Rusconi ML, Penna MP, Rozzini L, Antonietti A. The Role of Cognition in Divergent Thinking: Implications for Successful Aging. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1489. [PMID: 37891856 PMCID: PMC10605231 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13101489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Promoting active and successful aging has become crucial to improve quality of life in later adulthood and reduce the impact of cognitive decline. Increasing evidence suggested that the ability to think creatively (e.g., via divergent thinking), similar to cognitive reserve, could represent a beneficial factor against the negative effects of aging. However, there is still little evidence investigating the relationships between divergent thinking, cognitive functions, and cognitive reserve in late adulthood. The present study explored these relationships in a sample of 98 individuals ranging from 61 to 88 years old (mean age: 72.44 ± 6.35). Results showed that visual, but not verbal, divergent thinking was affected by aging. Interestingly, visual divergent thinking performance was predicted by both the cognitive component of crystallized intelligence and cognitive reserve. Only the crystallized component of intelligence was found to mediate the aging effect on visual divergent thinking performance. These results suggest that in later adulthood a potential shift strategy to prior knowledge and semantic components over executive and control components of cognition could underlie a preserved ability to think divergently and, plausibly, creatively. Limitations of the study and implications for successful aging are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Colautti
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 20123 Milan, Italy;
| | - Virginia Maria Borsa
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy; (V.M.B.); (G.F.); (M.C.); (J.G.); (M.L.R.)
| | - Giulia Fusi
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy; (V.M.B.); (G.F.); (M.C.); (J.G.); (M.L.R.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25136 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Maura Crepaldi
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy; (V.M.B.); (G.F.); (M.C.); (J.G.); (M.L.R.)
| | | | - Francesca Garau
- Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy; (F.G.); (M.P.P.)
| | | | - Jessica Giannì
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy; (V.M.B.); (G.F.); (M.C.); (J.G.); (M.L.R.)
| | - Maria Luisa Rusconi
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy; (V.M.B.); (G.F.); (M.C.); (J.G.); (M.L.R.)
| | - Maria Pietronilla Penna
- Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy; (F.G.); (M.P.P.)
| | - Luca Rozzini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25136 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Antonietti
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 20123 Milan, Italy;
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Colombo B, Hamilton A, Telazzi I, Balzarotti S. The relationship between cognitive reserve and the spontaneous use of emotion regulation strategies in older adults: a cross-sectional study. Aging Clin Exp Res 2023:10.1007/s40520-023-02424-9. [PMID: 37142942 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-023-02424-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies reported cognitive reserve (CR) as an important factor in promoting healthy aging within a non-clinical aging population. AIMS The main goal of the present study is to investigate the link between higher levels of CR and more effective emotion regulation. In more detail, we examine the association between a number of CR proxies and the habitual use of two emotion regulation strategies, cognitive reappraisal and emotional suppression. METHODS Three hundred and ten older adults aged between 60 and 75 (mean = 64.45, SD = 4.37; 69.4% female) joined this cross-sectional study by filling out self-report measures of CR and emotion regulation.² RESULTS: Reappraisal and suppression use were correlated. Practicing different leisure activities constantly over many years, being more original and having a higher education promoted more frequent use of cognitive reappraisal. These CR proxies were also significantly related to suppression use, even though the percentage of variance explained was lower. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Exploring the role played by the cognitive reserve on different emotion regulation techniques can be useful in understanding which variables predict the use of antecedent-focused (reappraisal) or response-focused (suppression) emotion regulation strategies in aging individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Colombo
- Behavioral Neuroscience Lab, Champlain College, 163 S Willard St, Burlington, VT, 05401, USA.
| | - Adam Hamilton
- Behavioral Neuroscience Lab, Champlain College, 163 S Willard St, Burlington, VT, 05401, USA
| | - Ilaria Telazzi
- Psychology Department, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Balzarotti
- Psychology Department, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
- Research Center in Communication Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Italy
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Ciccarelli N, Colombo B, Pepe F, Magni E, Antonietti A, Silveri MC. Cognitive reserve: a multidimensional protective factor in Parkinson's disease related cognitive impairment. NEUROPSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENT, AND COGNITION. SECTION B, AGING, NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITION 2022; 29:687-702. [PMID: 33629649 DOI: 10.1080/13825585.2021.1892026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We explored the association between cognitive reserve (CR) and Parkinson' s disease (PD) related cognitive deterioration.Forty PD patients and 12 matched healthy controls (HC) were enrolled. The PD group was balanced for the presence/absence of cognitive impairment. All participants underwent MOCA. CR was measured by the Brief Intelligence Test, and a new comprehensive tool, named Cognitive Reserve Test (CoRe-T), including sections on leisure activities and creativity.Participants with higher CR obtained a better MOCA score irrespective of the group they belonged to. At the same time, irrespective of the CR level, the performance of the HC group was always better in comparison to the PD group. Within the PD group, a higher frequency of leisure activities was associated to be cognitively unimpaired, independently by the severity of motor symptoms and age.CR could help to cope with PD-related cognitive decline. Its multidimensional nature could have important applications in prevention and rehabilitation interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fulvio Pepe
- Department of Neuroscience, Poliambulanza Foundation, Brescia, Italy
| | - Eugenio Magni
- Department of Neuroscience, Poliambulanza Foundation, Brescia, Italy
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Hakiki B, Pancani S, Portaccio E, Molino-Lova R, Sofi F, Macchi C, Cecchi F. Impact of occupational complexity on cognitive decline in the oldest-old. Aging Ment Health 2021; 25:1630-1635. [PMID: 32252551 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2020.1746739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The theory of "Cognitive Reserve" assumes that premorbid factors such as high educational and occupational attainment may enable a better way of coping with brain damage. It has been suggested that more stimulating lifestyles, including more complex work environments, may provide a buffer against cognitive decline in later life. This study aimed to investigate the association between occupational history and cognitive decline in a large cohort of Italian oldest-old. METHODS 392 individuals (266 women/126 men, mean age 93 ± 3 years) enrolled in the "Mugello study" provided information about their work history. Jobs were classified in nine categories, according to the level of expertise required to perform them, as suggested by the Italian National Institute for Statistics (ISTAT). In addition, socio-demographic characteristics, comorbidities, level of independence, depression, and cognitive status were assessed. The presence of dementia was established based on cognitive status and independence in performing four selected instrumental activities of daily living (ability to manage telephone, transportation, medications, and budget). RESULTS Neither work complexity (p = 0.995) nor work duration (p = 0.701) showed a significant effect on the likelihood of presenting a lower cognitive profile or developing dementia (p = 0.385 and p = 0.096, for work complexity and work duration, respectively). CONCLUSION In the observed sample of oldest-old individuals, cognitive decline did not seem to be influenced by cognitive reserve as assessed through the evaluation of cognitive status and level of independence. It is conceivable that in this population, the decline of the brain reserve has a preponderant role in the definition of the cognitive profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahia Hakiki
- Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation, IRCSS, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Emilio Portaccio
- SOC Neurologia, Ospedale San Giovanni di Dio, AUSL Toscana Centro, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Sofi
- Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation, IRCSS, Florence, Italy.,Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Clinical Nutrition Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Claudio Macchi
- Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation, IRCSS, Florence, Italy.,Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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8
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Fusi G, Colombo B, Zanetti M, Crepaldi M, Rozzini L, Rusconi ML. The Effect of Psychological Symptoms on Divergent Thinking in Healthy Older Adults. CREATIVITY RESEARCH JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/10400419.2021.1892413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Fusi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | | | - Maura Crepaldi
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Luca Rozzini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Rusconi
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
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9
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Cognitive aging: why we need creativity
to increase cognitive preservation. HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY REPORT 2021. [DOI: 10.5114/hpr.2021.109537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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10
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Palmiero M, Di Vita A, Teghil A, Piccardi L. The Verbal Judgement Task: Normative data of verbal abstract reasoning in a sample of 18- to 40-years old. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY-ADULT 2020; 29:562-569. [PMID: 32654520 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2020.1789986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In this study, normative data for the age-range 18-40 years have been provided for the Verbal Judgment Test (VJT), which underpins abstract reasoning on the basis of four subtests: "Differences", "Proverbs", "Absurdities" and "Classifications". 554 participants (280 males and 274 females) were recruited and the following data were provided: means and standard deviations divided by gender, educational level (8, 13 and 18 years) and age group (18-20 years, 21-25 years, 26-30 years, 31-35 years and 36-40 years) for each subtest and the total score; percentiles for each subtest, divided by age group, and, when appropriate, educational level and/or gender; Rho correlations between age group, gender, educational level, intelligence and VJT scores. Age-, education- and gender differences were also assessed carrying out non parametric tests. Results showed that age and education positively affected performance in the subtests of Differences, Proverbs and Classifications, which are mostly based on previous knowledge, experience, and crystallized intelligence, but did not affect performance in the Absurdities subtest, which encompasses to some extent fluid intelligence. In addition, males showed higher scores than females in the subtests of Differences and Proverbs and in the total VJT, probably reflecting higher knowledge acquisition. Implications for future research are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Palmiero
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy.,Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, L'Aquila University, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Antonella Di Vita
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome 'Sapienza', Rome, Italy.,Cognitive and Motor Rehabilitation and Neuroimaging Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Alice Teghil
- Cognitive and Motor Rehabilitation and Neuroimaging Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Piccardi
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome 'Sapienza', Rome, Italy.,Cognitive and Motor Rehabilitation and Neuroimaging Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
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Fusi G, Lavolpe S, Crepaldi M, Rusconi ML. The Controversial Effect of Age on Divergent Thinking Abilities: A Systematic Review. JOURNAL OF CREATIVE BEHAVIOR 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/jocb.461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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12
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Fusi G, Ferrari E, Zanetti M, Crepaldi M, Bersanini C, Paladino A, Colautti L, Rozzini L, Antonietti A, Rusconi ML. A Comparison of Divergent Thinking Abilities Between Healthy Elderly Subjects and MCI Patients: Preliminary Findings and Implications. Front Psychol 2020; 11:738. [PMID: 32425853 PMCID: PMC7204909 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Divergent thinking (DT) has attracted research interest because of its potential role in early diagnosis and rehabilitation programs for patients affected by neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, DT has received even more attention because of its proven relationship with cognitive reserve (CR) and the possibility of a standardized assessment. However, few studies have investigated this ability in dementia patients, and even less is known about patients affected by Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Thus, this study aims to investigate DT abilities in MCI patients. Methods A total of 25 MCI patients and 25 healthy controls subjects (HC; from a random selection of 50) matched for age, gender, and educational level were enrolled. General cognitive functioning was measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), while the Abbreviated Torrance Test for Adults (ATTA) was selected to measure DT. Results MANOVA analysis did not reveal any significant differences in DT abilities between MCI patients and HC except for the figural indicator score. A logistic hierarchical regression analysis revealed that the figural indicator score added an 8% of accuracy in the prediction of the group variable over the general cognition measure (MoCA). Conclusion MCI patients seem to perform significantly worse than HC only in the figural DT score and this evidence has significant practical implications. First, that figural DT seemed to decrease even earlier than verbal DT and could therefore be taken into account for early diagnosis of MCI patients. On the contrary, the sparing of all the other DT skills (such as verbal DT skills, fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration) may suggest that, given its relationship with CR, verbal DT could instead be considered a possible target for prevention or early cognitive stimulation interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Fusi
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Elena Ferrari
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Marina Zanetti
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maura Crepaldi
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Carol Bersanini
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Anna Paladino
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Laura Colautti
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Rozzini
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Maria Luisa Rusconi
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
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13
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Palmiero M, Guariglia P, Crivello R, Piccardi L. The relationships between musical expertise and divergent thinking. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2020; 203:102990. [PMID: 31911358 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2019.102990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Musical expertise has positive effects on cognition, especially on verbal and linguistic processing. In this study the relationships between musical expertise, not involving improvisation training, and divergent thinking were explored. Expert and self-taught musicians were tested in musical, verbal and visual divergent thinking, and were compared with a group of non-musicians in verbal and visual divergent thinking. The musical task required to generate many different pieces of music using the incipit of 'Happy Birthday' as a starting point; the verbal task required to list unusual uses for a cardboard box; the visual task asked to complete drawings adding details to basic stimuli. For each task fluency flexibility and originality scores were measured. Based on these scores, musical, verbal and visual creative indices were computed. In general, expert musicians showed higher creative indices in musical and verbal domains than self-taught musicians and in verbal creative index than non-musicians. No group difference was found in terms of visual creative index. These findings confirm that musical expertise enhances not only musical divergent thinking but also verbal divergent thinking, probably supporting the semantic associative modes of processing and improving verbal working memory, which facilitates the online recombination of information in new ways. This effect seems to be specifically supported by formal musical training. The lack of the association between musical expertise and visual divergent thinking, as well as future research directions, are discussed.
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14
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Salvi C, Beeman M, Bikson M, McKinley R, Grafman J. TDCS to the right anterior temporal lobe facilitates insight problem-solving. Sci Rep 2020; 10:946. [PMID: 31969588 PMCID: PMC6976642 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57724-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Problem-solving is essential for advances in cultural, social, and scientific knowledge. It is also one of the most challenging cognitive processes to facilitate. Some problem-solving is deliberate, but frequently people solve problems with a sudden insight, also known as a Eureka or "Aha!" moment. The advantage of solving problems via insight is that these solutions are more accurate, relying on a unique pattern of neural activity, compared to deliberative strategies. The right Anterior Temporal Lobe (rATL), putatively involved in semantic integration, is distinctively activated when people experience an insight. The rATL may contribute to the recognition of distant semantic relations that support insight solutions, although fMRI and EEG evidence for its involvement is, by nature, correlational. In this study, we investigate if focal sub-threshold neuromodulation to the rATL facilitates insight problem-solving. In three different groups, using a within- and between-subjects design, we tested the causal role of this brain region in problem-solving, by applying High Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to the rATL (active and sham condition) or the left frontopolar region while participants attempted to solve Compound Remote Associates problems before, during and after stimulation. Participants solved a higher percentage of problems, overall, and specifically by insight when they received rATL stimulation, compared to pre-stimulation, and compared to sham and left frontopolar stimulation. These results confirm the crucial role played by the rATL in insight problem-solving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola Salvi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
| | - Mark Beeman
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Marom Bikson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City College of New York, New York, USA
| | - Richard McKinley
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH, USA
| | - Jordan Grafman
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, USA
- Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Neurology, Cognitive Neurology, and Alzheimer's Center, Department of Psychiatry, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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15
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Privodnova EY, Volf NV, Knyazev GG. The Evaluation of Creative Ideas in Older and Younger Adults. J PSYCHOPHYSIOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1027/0269-8803/a000232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. The ability to solve problems of divergent type is one of the most intact functions in successful aging. However, neurophysiologic mechanisms that support the efficiency of creative thinking remain largely unknown. This study was aimed to investigate age-related difference in localized induced electroencephalogram (EEG) changes during creative idea evaluation stage of divergent problem-solving (Alternate Uses Task), using standardized low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography. Younger (45 women, 44 men, Mage = 22.1 years, age range: 18–30 years) and older adults (46 women, 43 men, Mage = 64.9 years, age range: 55–75 years) participated in the study. Higher synchronization in individually adjusted theta frequency band [from (individual alpha peak frequency −6 Hz) to (individual alpha peak frequency −4 Hz)] in anterior areas with the maximum values in anterior cingulate gyrus was revealed in older as compared with younger participants by group contrast. Higher desynchronization in wide beta range [from (individual alpha peak frequency +2 Hz) to 30 Hz] was localized in posterior brain regions with the highest values in posterior cingulate gyrus, precuneus, and parietal lobule in older adults. Induced beta 2 synchronization was positively correlated with originality (as measured by the mean frequency of ideas) in younger and years of education in older subjects. Based on the data, it was supposed that controlling the decision-making processes is more important for older adults while maintenance of the internal image of elements’ recombination may play essential role for younger subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeniya Yu. Privodnova
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Scientific Research Institute of Physiology and Basic Medicine”, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
- Department of Psychology, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
| | - Nina V. Volf
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Scientific Research Institute of Physiology and Basic Medicine”, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
| | - Gennady G. Knyazev
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Scientific Research Institute of Physiology and Basic Medicine”, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
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16
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Nori R, Palmiero M, Giusberti F, Gambetti E, Piccardi L. Web searching and navigation: Age, intelligence, and familiarity. J Assoc Inf Sci Technol 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/asi.24314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Nori
- Psychology DepartmentUniversity of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | - Massimiliano Palmiero
- Cognitive and Motor Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia Rome Italy
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental ScienceUniversity of LʼAquila LʼAquila Italy
| | | | - Elisa Gambetti
- Psychology DepartmentUniversity of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | - Laura Piccardi
- Cognitive and Motor Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia Rome Italy
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental ScienceUniversity of LʼAquila LʼAquila Italy
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17
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Palmiero M, Piccardi L, Nori R, Palermo L, Salvi C, Guariglia C. Editorial: Creativity: Education and Rehabilitation. Front Psychol 2019; 10:1500. [PMID: 31293491 PMCID: PMC6606768 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Palmiero
- Cognitive and Motor Rehabilitation and Neuroimaging Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Laura Piccardi
- Cognitive and Motor Rehabilitation and Neuroimaging Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Raffaella Nori
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Liana Palermo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Carola Salvi
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States.,Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Cecilia Guariglia
- Cognitive and Motor Rehabilitation and Neuroimaging Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,Department of Psychology, University of Rome 'Sapienza', Rome, Italy
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18
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Palmiero M, Giulianella L, Guariglia P, Boccia M, D'Amico S, Piccardi L. The Dancers' Visuospatial Body Map Explains Their Enhanced Divergence in the Production of Motor Forms: Evidence in the Early Development. Front Psychol 2019; 10:768. [PMID: 31024403 PMCID: PMC6467967 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Dance represents an opportunity to promote not only motor skills but also other cognitive functions and general well-being. In this study, 58 children aged 6–10 years were enrolled in order to test the issue if dance improves divergent thinking in motor and visual domains (domain-general and domain-specificity hypotheses), and whether the topological map of the body mediates their performance at the motor task (mediation hypothesis). Therefore, 33 children practicing dance were compared with a control group (25 children). Children were administered the visual divergent thinking task of the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking, consisting in making drawings starting from given shapes, and the motor-form divergent thinking task, opportunely developed consisting in producing acted motor forms in the extrapersonal space. Both tasks were presented for 10 min and were scored in terms of fluency, flexibility, and originality. The ability to form the topological map of the body was measured by the frontal body-evocation test. Results revealed that children practicing dance outperformed the control group only in terms of the ability to perform motor forms. In addition, dancers showed a better topological map of the body, and, most importantly, besides the direct effect of group on the ability to produce acted motor forms, a significant indirect effect of the group, mediated by performances on frontal body-evocation task, was found. These results have important implications for cognition, showing that dance can improve the topological map of the body that in turn enhances creativity in motor domain since the early developmental age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Palmiero
- Cognitive and Motor Rehabilitation and Neuroimaging Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Luna Giulianella
- Life, Health and Environmental Science Department, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Paola Guariglia
- Department of Human Science and Society, Kore University of Enna, Enna, Italy
| | - Maddalena Boccia
- Cognitive and Motor Rehabilitation and Neuroimaging Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Simonetta D'Amico
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Laura Piccardi
- Cognitive and Motor Rehabilitation and Neuroimaging Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,Life, Health and Environmental Science Department, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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19
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Colombo B, Antonietti A, Daneau B. The Relationships Between Cognitive Reserve and Creativity. A Study on American Aging Population. Front Psychol 2018; 9:764. [PMID: 29875716 PMCID: PMC5974109 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Cognitive Reserve (CR) hypothesis suggests that the brain actively attempts to cope with neural damages by using pre-existing cognitive processing approaches or by enlisting compensatory approaches. This would allow an individual with high CR to better cope with aging than an individual with lower CR. Many of the proxies used to assess CR indirectly refer to the flexibility of thought. The present paper aims at directly exploring the relationships between CR and creativity, a skill that includes flexible thinking. We tested a sample of 72 adults (aged between 45 and 78) assessing both their level of CR and their creativity. To evaluate CR we used the proxies commonly used in literature, namely, three subtests from the WAIS (vocabulary, similarities, and digit span) and the years of education. We also used an ad-hoc test asking people to report how frequently they tend to perform activities that are believed to increase CR. We used verbal creativity tasks (alternative uses and generation of acronyms) to assess individual levels of creativity. We asked participants to describe their main occupation (present or past) and coded each occupation as creative or not creative. Results (controlling for age-related differences) showed that scores from the WAIS correlated positively with creativity performance, even though correlations varied across the subtests. Focusing on the frequency and type of activities that people perform, and comparing individuals who have or had a creative job to those with a routine job, a clear relationship between creativity and CR emerged. This effect was more relevant than the level of job complexity. Implications for the study of CR and aging are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Colombo
- Neuroscience Lab, Champlain College, Burlington, VT, United States
| | | | - Brendan Daneau
- Neuroscience Lab, Champlain College, Burlington, VT, United States
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20
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Palmiero M, Nori R, Piccardi L. Verbal and visual divergent thinking in aging. Exp Brain Res 2016; 235:1021-1029. [PMID: 28032140 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-016-4857-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
According to the peak and decline model divergent thinking declines at a specific age (in or after middle age). However, if divergent thinking declines steadily in aging still has to be clarified. In order to explore the age-related changes in verbal and visual divergent thinking, in the present study a sample of 159 participants was divided in five age groups: young adults (18-35 years), middle-aged adults (36-55), young old (56-74), old (75-85) and the oldest-old (86-98). Two divergent thinking tasks were administered: the alternative uses for cardboard boxes, aimed at assessing verbal ideational fluency, flexibility and originality; the completion drawing task, aimed at assessing visual ideational fluency, flexibility and originality. Results showed that after peaking in the young adult group (20-35 years) all components of verbal and visual divergent thinking stabilized in the middle-aged adult group (36-55 years) and then started declining in the young old group (56-75). Interestingly, all components were found to be preserved after declining. Yet, verbal and visual divergent thinking were found at the same extent across age groups, with the exception of visual ideational fluency, that was higher in the young old group, the old group and the oldest-old group than verbal ideational fluency. These results support the idea that divergent thinking does not decline steadily in the elderly. Given that older people can preserve to some extent verbal and visual divergent thinking, these findings have important implications for active aging, that is, divergent thinking might be fostered in aging in order to prevent the cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Palmiero
- Neuropsychology Unit, I.R.C.C.S. Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy. .,Department of Life, Health, and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, P.le S. Tommasi 1, 67100, Coppito, AQ, Italy.
| | - Raffaella Nori
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Piccardi
- Neuropsychology Unit, I.R.C.C.S. Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,Department of Life, Health, and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, P.le S. Tommasi 1, 67100, Coppito, AQ, Italy
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21
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Meléndez JC, Alfonso-Benlliure V, Mayordomo T, Sales A. Is Age Just a Number? Cognitive Reserve as a Predictor of Divergent Thinking in Late Adulthood. CREATIVITY RESEARCH JOURNAL 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/10400419.2016.1229983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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22
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Palmiero M, Piccardi L, Nori R, Palermo L, Salvi C, Guariglia C. Editorial: Creativity and Mental Imagery. Front Psychol 2016; 7:1280. [PMID: 27610094 PMCID: PMC4996989 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Palmiero
- Neuropsychology Unit, Fondazione Santa Lucia, I.R.C.C.SRome, Italy; Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'AquilaL'Aquila, Italy
| | - Laura Piccardi
- Neuropsychology Unit, Fondazione Santa Lucia, I.R.C.C.SRome, Italy; Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'AquilaL'Aquila, Italy
| | - Raffaella Nori
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna Bologna, Italy
| | - Liana Palermo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Carola Salvi
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern UniversityEvaston, IL, USA; Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoChicago, IL, USA
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23
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Visualizer cognitive style enhances visual creativity. Neurosci Lett 2016; 615:98-101. [PMID: 26806864 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Revised: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In the last two decades, interest towards creativity has increased significantly since it was recognized as a skill and as a cognitive reserve and is now always more frequently used in ageing training. Here, the relationships between visual creativity and Visualization-Verbalization cognitive style were investigated. Fifty college students were administered the Creative Synthesis Task aimed at measuring the ability to construct creative objects and the Visualization-Verbalization Questionnaire (VVQ) aimed at measuring the attitude to preferentially use either imagery or verbal strategy while processing information. Analyses showed that only the originality score of inventions was positively predicted by the VVQ score: higher VVQ score (indicating the preference to use imagery) predicted originality of inventions. These results showed that the visualization strategy is involved especially in the originality dimension of creative objects production. In light of neuroimaging results, the possibility that different strategies, such those that involve motor processes, affect visual creativity is also discussed.
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