What Makes Some People More Creative?

Creativity can be defined as the ability to generate new and useful ideas and is a trait that everyone possesses to varying degrees, not only those who are artistic. Researchers categorise creativity into “little-c” creativity, such as making a gift or telling a joke, and “Big-C” creativity, like writing a novel or designing an innovative product. Therefore, creativity can play a role in ordinary tasks like cooking with leftovers or making a Halloween costume.

Recent research in psychology and neuroscience suggests that creativity is a mix of spontaneous and controlled thinking. This involves generating ideas freely and then evaluating them critically. But why are some people more creative than others? In a new study, researchers examined whether creativity could be linked to connections between three specific brain networks. The study involved 163 participants who completed the ‘Alternate Uses Task’ a classic test of divergent thinking. Participants were asked to think of new uses for everyday objects, like a paper clip or a sock, while their brain activity was monitored using fMRI scans.

The Alternate Uses Task measures the ability to think differently from the norm. For instance, when shown a sock, one person might suggest using it to keep your foot warm (a common use), while another might propose using it as a water filter (a creative use). The study found that participants who performed well on this task also reported more creative hobbies and achievements, suggesting that the task is a good measure of general creativity. The researchers then analysed how activity in one part of the participant’s brain correlated with activity in another. They identified a ‘high-creative’ network of brain connections that strongly correlated with creative thinking.

The high creative network involves three specific brain systems: the default network, the executive control network, and the salience network. The default network is active during spontaneous thinking, like daydreaming or brainstorming. The executive control network is responsible for focused thinking and evaluating ideas. The salience network switches between these two, helping to balance idea generation and evaluation. The results suggested that people with stronger connections between these networks were more creative.

The study raises intriguing questions for future research. Can these brain networks be trained or strengthened, for example, through activities like drawing classes? Is it possible to enhance creativity by altering these connections? While these questions remain unanswered, they offer exciting possibilities for understanding and boosting creativity.

Adapted from an article by Roger Beaty in The Conversation